Starch/Sizing
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,657
Can you use less stabilizers if you starch? I do a lot of machine embroidery and this would save me a lot of money.
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Texas, USA
Posts: 5,896
I always pre-wash fabric and never use starch. Tried it once and hated it.
Can't help but wonder if too much starch, is why some quilters need to constantly change their machine needles.
Can't help but wonder if too much starch, is why some quilters need to constantly change their machine needles.
Last edited by Neesie; 09-08-2013 at 08:19 AM.
#16
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Keep in mind that I wash my quilts after they are finished. If you don't want to wash your embroidery, then you may not want to use starch.
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: New Orleans, La
Posts: 1,768
I was never a starcher and was getting aggravated with my seams not matching or material stretching. After reading many on the board who did and why, I started. Now that I heavy starch my fabric, my seams are better.( some still don't match, but it's getting there) I am now reading that many will starch their backing, which I never have, and I am going to starch the backing on the quilt top I just finished. Hopefully this will eliminate some of the puckering I've been getting when I machine quilt. I guess it's like the age old question " To wash or not wash your fabric" before cutting.
#19
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 227
I just started using starch. As a matter of fact I posted a question about using it correctly. I did not get an answer to this question. It was said that you should not store starched fabric because it could draw bugs. Is that true of all starch, including Niagara, or just the homemade starch? If you can't store it what do you do wth scraps, wash them? I'm with Grannyrosie, trying for more accuracy thus less headaches.
#20
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Reb, I believe any kind of starch can attract bugs. This is because starch is made from organic materials such as potatoes, rice, corn, etc. Sizing is chemically manufactured and therefore does not attract bugs, but sizing stiffens fabric considerably less than starch does.
A lot depends on where you live. In warm, humid climates where there are a lot of bugs then storage of starched fabric might present a problem. In MN and WI it has been a non-issue for me. Some of my starched fabric has been stored for years without attracting bugs.
A lot depends on where you live. In warm, humid climates where there are a lot of bugs then storage of starched fabric might present a problem. In MN and WI it has been a non-issue for me. Some of my starched fabric has been stored for years without attracting bugs.
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