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Quote:

Originally Posted by ibequilting1

I was told by a quilting teacher to use sizing because starch attracts silver fish. I have not seen any silverfish in years but am afraid to take a chance, don't want little holes in my quilts.

I was curious about these so I googled. It explained why I had never heard of them. They require a humididty above 75%, which we never reach.

I got mine at Hancock Fabrics and just love to use it. By far the best ever.

dude

Best Press is best!!!! If you live near a Hancock Fabrics, watch their ads and buy it when it goes on sale. Or support your local quilt shop and purchase it from them.

I was told that starch is a food product and if you use it on your quilt and then store it, it could be eaten by critters. Just passing this along for what it's worth.

When I spray the sizing on the fabric I let it rest until the fabric absorbs the stuff. then press with hot iron. I don't have any problem with gunk on the iron that way.

Sizing has a higher scorching temperature than starch and I find that even if I need 2 coats it works better. Two light coats are better than 'saturating' the fabric. Also, I spray on one side, then flip it over and press on the other side.

I was taught in heirloom sewing that if you use sizing before you mark the fabric with a water soluable pen your marks don't 'penetrate' the fibers and is removed much more easily.

Peggy
Freezing in Fla where we're supposed to break 3 records in 24 hours. (Two record lows and one record minimum (high)!

I am told that regular starch has sugar in it. So, if you plan to store your fabric for an extended period of time, skip starching when pressing. Best Press does not have sugar in it.

I wash my quilts as soon as they are finished, so whatever I use is washed away.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjradj

When I use spray starch, I spray one side of the fabric, but iron on the other side. It keeps my iron clean.

agree with above plus - i use my hand to wipe down the fabric and/or just smush it together, then iron. it's the unabsorbed starch/sizing that's sticking to your iron.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EasyPeezy

I make my own starch. In a large bowl or pot, stir 1/2 cup cornstarch into
1 cup of cold water. Stir in boiling water (2 quarts for heavy solution;
4 quarts for medium and 6 quarts for light solution).

If you only need a small amount then half or quarter above quantities.
Sometimes I add a bit more water for the heavy solution as it gets
a bit too thick. You can try and adjust as you wish.

When the cornstarch solution is cool, I use a paintbrush to apply it on
my fabric (stir the solution often or shake if it's in a spray bottle).
Let is soak for at least 30 mins. If I don't have time to iron
I just put everything in a ziploc and put it in the fridge for the next day.
If it's too wet I roll the fabric in a towel first and iron on the wrong side
with a cloth on top so that the starch doesn't stick to my iron. When
the heat has absorbed most of the humidity then I continue to iron
without the cloth. Hope this helps.

By the way, I finally tried Mary Ellen's Best Press. I wasn't too impressed.
It's ok for small jobs. I think I'll keep using my cornstarch mixture. :-D

are you actually using cornstarch like we cook with or the old timey starch that my mother and i used to use?