STARCH QUESTION
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: illinois
Posts: 1,169
I am going to make signature blocks for my friends daughters wedding. I usually starch my fabrics as I iron them prior to cutting. Can I starch siggy blocks or will the ink of the fabric pens wash out because of the starch. I would also like to know the best pen for this project. I'm sure someone here has experience and I appreciate listening to all suggestions.
#2
The ink should penetrate the starch just fine. :D:D:D
I just bought a permanent fine point pen from Hancocks, I am going to try it on a scrap and then wash it. They said it is permanent, we shall see LOL
I just bought a permanent fine point pen from Hancocks, I am going to try it on a scrap and then wash it. They said it is permanent, we shall see LOL
#3
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: North East Lower peninsula of Michigan
Posts: 6,231
Don't use sharpies! I made one for my son and he woke up with ink on his face!! It came off easier from the fabric than him! He was a student teacher and I had the kids do pillowcases. I think you have to use a Pigma? pen.
#4
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 17,068
Originally Posted by bkb
I am going to make signature blocks for my friends daughters wedding. I usually starch my fabrics as I iron them prior to cutting. Can I starch siggy blocks or will the ink of the fabric pens wash out because of the starch. I would also like to know the best pen for this project. I'm sure someone here has experience and I appreciate listening to all suggestions.
#5
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 15,639
Originally Posted by sueisallaboutquilts
I never heard of starching fabric before cutting. Tell me why, please?? I love any tips that save me time or problems :D
Starched pieces also retain more body during the piecing process and they seem to behave better under the feed dogs.
A downfall is that starch and sizing may attract silverfish and other bugs which would not be a problem in a tightly controlled container. Another is that starched pieces retain creases more and are harder to iron out (that is my experience at least).
#6
Originally Posted by Up North
Don't use sharpies! I made one for my son and he woke up with ink on his face!! It came off easier from the fabric than him! He was a student teacher and I had the kids do pillowcases. I think you have to use a Pigma? pen.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 844
I've used permanent laundry type pens too. I can't remember if I heat set it or not. But it's been washed a few times now and, although it's still easy to read, the ink has faded a bit. Not badly, but it's certainly not as dark as when I gave the quilt to them. The fabric did not have starch on it and it was 100% cotton.
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: The Finger Lakes of upstate NY
Posts: 3,572
I bought some pigma pens @ Joann's today, $3.29 each for .5 mm. The package they carry (at least at the one here) have tips that are too fine - .25, I think they were. Have a few of them, don't like them.
When I'm doing blocks to be signed, I iron the fabric to freezer paper, then cut into blocks. Stabilizes it enough to write on nicely, then peels right off.
When I'm doing blocks to be signed, I iron the fabric to freezer paper, then cut into blocks. Stabilizes it enough to write on nicely, then peels right off.
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