Neuras

What's the difference between sizing spray and starch spray? Confusing because they "read" to be the same...

QuiltnNan

here's an explanation https://americandrycleaner.com/artic...rch-and-sizing
i use starch and have never had a problem with bugs, but others have had bug problems

RedGarnet222

One time I went to the dry cleaners to pick up a skirt that I had put in for cleaning. While the lady was holding it up, a silverfish ran across it. I turned around and left. I figured they could keep it and my skirt. I wasn't bringing in a bug that reproduces like a rabbit into my house! So, I use only the finish in my house. That totally creeped me out!

Neuras

I hope it wasn't your favorite skirt! What a horrible experience.

Neuras

Ok I've read the article, thank you for posting it. So if starch adds to the crispy finish & sizing adds body, when would you use either? Sorry for the confusion

Cari-in-Oly

I only use Magic Sizing. It works well enough for me, I don't like my fabric to be cardboard stiff.

Cari

NJ Quilter

I use starch in my quilting. I use the liquid sta-flo and mix to a 50/50 ratio. I apply the starch after I have pre-washed my fabrics during the ironing process. I may apply again after folding selvage to selvage as well to get as sharp a crease as possible to help make my cutting more accurate. Rarely do I apply more during the piecing process.

I do wash my quilts after they are finished and before gifting so any residual starch is then gone.

While my fabric is not 'board stiff' it does have a reasonable stiffness to it - probably less than if used prior to pre-washing - and I do find that it helps stabilize the fabric during both the cutting and sewing process.

quilterpurpledog

Sizing is used to give better 'character' to fabric that is not so great. It is useful in getting patches to behave better in the construction process. Starch or the Best Press product give extra body to difficult areas like bias areas. It is for ease of handling rather than allowing you to incorporate 'limp' fabric. I question using that kind of fabric because the sizing washes away and then you have a patch of fabric that does not behave as the other fabrics do-wear out more more easily. Starch is intended to aid in construction. But, you must use it carefully or the ironing process distorts the bias which is the preceived problem to start with. Bias needs to be handled with care-once it is stretched it cannot be restored to the original shape.

Weezy Rider

Don't blame the cleaner. I worked in a dry cleaners as a kid and that's the first place I ever saw a cockroach. It was in our bottlebrush Xmas tree. We killed it, and we searched all over and put out traps. Never saw another. Silverfish like books. Someone could have brought clothes in in a bag that had carried used books. Perq would have killed it.

The vermin would come in in the paper bags that people used to put the inbound dry cleaning in.
Those paper bags came from a supermarket. I suppose that vermin could come in in plastic bags now.

Any damp will bring in silverfish. Any animal fabric will bring in carpet beetles. We had carpet beetles. All food is now in plastic covered containers. No more beetles except one or two strays. No food, they just die.

jmoore

I use Best Press is a starch alternative, on my fabric before cutting...I like how the fabric handles when cutting and piecing.