I make my own starch too. I pour it in a 1.5 gal garden sprayer and spray my fabric. I also add just a bit off the linen scented Mary Ellen's best press in there to make it smell good!!
@@pickinstitches The over spray isn’t bad at all. I cover my table with a vinyl table cloth and put a towel down and lay my fabric on the towel. Spray one side and flip. If I have over a yard to starch, i go outside. I usually dry my fabric outside too. Only takes about an hour or so to dry. I live in west Texas so it’s dry and breezy almost every day.
I have always use Mary Ellen's Best Press. But I wanted a stiffer fabric for a project and loved Sta-Flo. Very bummed that it is no more. I also like the spray that was in the Sew Sampler box. Thank for taking the time to do this video for us.
Thank you for this video! Starching has been a game changer for me but I live in Alaska and pay nearly $5 for each can of Faultless. Definitely looking for a more economical option. Can’t wait to give this a try! Thanks again!
I love this video- with so much pretty fabric to purchase, I appreciate finding ways to cut costs and control quality with a ‘home made’ starch. I have never tried making it myself, but this video builds my confidence- thank you for taking the time to show all the steps!!
What was the powdered starch in the recipe? Was it corn, potato or other starch? Thank you for the demonstration, it is so nice to see step by step of how you soak to how you hang the fabric. 😊
Hi Kelly, I have never starched before but after watching this I want to give it a try. When you iron the starched fabric do you use steam? Also, when you press the block after piecing, do you use steam? I’m a new quilter and enjoy your videos! Thanks so much
@@pickinstitches thank you, I just didn’t know if it was needed with starch. I took a quilting class a year ago and def became addicted right away ! I’ve sewn since age 12 but wanted to learn quilting when I retired recently.
I am so sad they stopped making StayFlo. I have lung issues and cannot use Faultless without a face mask on. Best Press I have to use their unscented and it doesn't give me the results I want when I'm working with Bias. My experience with Flatter is its only good for removing wrinkles. May have to give your homemade recipe a try. Thanks for the tutorial on what you do.
I was a big fan of Sta Flo and was able to stockpile some. My local grocery store H‑E‑B, replaced it with Linit Liquid starch. Works as well as Sta-Flo. I do full immersion just like you. If I put in a spray bottle, I just add a little alcohol. That’s to keep it from mildew and getting funky. If I do save some of the mixed starch, I do add a little alcohol to it. I haven’t tried making my own.
How do you store the starched fabric? I’m always worried about bugs or spiders getting to my fabric so after it’s starched, I iron it and put in sealed containers. I like to starch the fabric when it arrives so I’m ready for a project once I can decide on a pattern…which sometimes takes way too long to decide. 😝
I usually only startch it when Im ready to use it. I have a couple quilt racks that I hang it over while Im in the process of using it. (although they are crowded right now bc of the Shoreline Pieceful Basket and Piece and Quilt sampler). I havent had any issues, but mine doesnt hang out too long.
Im not really sure! I went to look for it to make this video and its lost in my sewing room! LOL I havent read the directions. I thought Sherri from a Quilting Life loved it instead of starching like Kimberly at FQS does, but I could be wrong.
@@pickinstitches here’s what the website says “FLATTER MAKES IRONING EASIER. THIS STARCH-FREE SMOOTHING SPRAY RELAXES WRINKLES AND FRESHENS FABRICS. IT’S FLAT OUT FABULOUS! FLATTER LEAVES FABRIC SLEEK, SOFT, AND STATIC-FREE. PLUS, THE MILD FORMULATION IS EASY ON SENSITIVE SKIN, AND WON’T HARM THE ENVIRONMENT.” I had an instructor loan me some for a block, it *does* flatten the seams.
In my experience, Flatter is great for getting stubborn wrinkles out but doesn’t really add body to the fabric. One spray product that I love is Magic (premium quilting and craft spray) which is a Faultless brand. It leaves fabric stiffer than Best Press and I use it when I’m using a pattern that has a lot of bias edges.
I followed your recipe of making starch (starch/water) and it worked great on light fabrics - however I’m not sure what happened with the darker fabrics - it went streaky 🙈 Thankfully it was for blocks that are smaller so it’s not really noticeable and hopefully it will wash out after but I’m now afraid to do larger dark fabric pieces. Was it too thick?? I did notice after letting it cool there was a skim on the surface that got stirred in when I added the water?? Any hints or tips as to where I went wrong? Love your videos…so useful and inspiring!
Oh no! Sorry you are having issues. If it at all doesnt seem well mixed right before you use it Id throw it in a blender or use an emersion blender, Even if it is too saturate and the water "puddles" on a dip in my rack I can see it. Good news though it will wash right out, I even spray it with a little water and massage it with a clean cotton cloth and it goes away too, even if you dont want to wash the whole project. Hope that helps!
@@pickinstitches thanks! they are amazing. I do lots of big blocks and they would be great. Do y’all have an Etsy shop? I’d love to see a video of all the things 😊
I typically do. I make quilts to be used and if I gift them I want to make sure that there are no issues with color bleeding just incase. I love the way the look and feel after washing too!
@@pickinstitches Thank yoiu. One more question, was there enough fabric to starch the Sew Sampler June box? The jelly rolls make me thiunk twice about starching
I tried homemade starch and it just isn't a good option. Amazon carries a concentrated liquid starch called Linit starch by Malco. It is comparable to StaFlo but it is $17 a gallon. StaFlo was dirt cheap so many got spoiled to that price. It's MUCH cheaper than Best Press that isn't even starch.
Staflo has been a staple for me. I’m too cheap to use best press. I have made my own starch. Thanks for sharing your method.
@@notesfromleisa-land sure thing!!
I make my own starch too. I pour it in a 1.5 gal garden sprayer and spray my fabric. I also add just a bit off the linen scented Mary Ellen's best press in there to make it smell good!!
@@amberwilhite776 that's a good idea. How is the overspray?
@@pickinstitches The over spray isn’t bad at all. I cover my table with a vinyl table cloth and put a towel down and lay my fabric on the towel. Spray one side and flip. If I have over a yard to starch, i go outside. I usually dry my fabric outside too. Only takes about an hour or so to dry. I live in west Texas so it’s dry and breezy almost every day.
@@amberwilhite776 what do you do with the leftover mix? I saved mine and it fermented in the bottle.
I recently started starching my fabric and it's been a game changer😊
@@claudiaross239 agreed!
I have always use Mary Ellen's Best Press. But I wanted a stiffer fabric for a project and loved Sta-Flo. Very bummed that it is no more. I also like the spray that was in the Sew Sampler box. Thank for taking the time to do this video for us.
You are so welcome!
Thank you for this video! Starching has been a game changer for me but I live in Alaska and pay nearly $5 for each can of Faultless. Definitely looking for a more economical option. Can’t wait to give this a try! Thanks again!
Hope it helps!! Anything you can buy with the liquid removed has to be more economical!
I love this video- with so much pretty fabric to purchase, I appreciate finding ways to cut costs and control quality with a ‘home made’ starch. I have never tried making it myself, but this video builds my confidence- thank you for taking the time to show all the steps!!
You are so welcome!
Thank you for this helpful idea for a Sta-flo substitute! I, too, use a small garden sprayer along with the tub soaking method.
Awesome! Im going to have to try the sprayer. Is the over spay an issue?
This simpli starch product ladts forever and doesn't get stinky.
Great to know!
Thanks ❤
@@lorettahenderson8979 of course!
What was the powdered starch in the recipe? Was it corn, potato or other starch? Thank you for the demonstration, it is so nice to see step by step of how you soak to how you hang the fabric. 😊
Corn starch (I saw the container in the reflection).
@@SewWhittle
Thank you 😊
Corn, Sorry I missed your question!
thanks for jumping in! I missed this one :)
Hi Kelly, I have never starched before but after watching this I want to give it a try. When you iron the starched fabric do you use steam? Also, when you press the block after piecing, do you use steam? I’m a new quilter and enjoy your videos! Thanks so much
I do use lots of steam, but some quilters say it distorts the blocks- so test it and do what works best for you! Welcome to quilting its addictive!
@@pickinstitches thank you, I just didn’t know if it was needed with starch.
I took a quilting class a year ago and def became addicted right away ! I’ve sewn since age 12 but wanted to learn quilting when I retired recently.
I am so sad they stopped making StayFlo. I have lung issues and cannot use Faultless without a face mask on. Best Press I have to use their unscented and it doesn't give me the results I want when I'm working with Bias. My experience with Flatter is its only good for removing wrinkles. May have to give your homemade recipe a try. Thanks for the tutorial on what you do.
Hope it help! One other person posted they get Linit Liquid now- Ive never tried it but might help you.
I was a big fan of Sta Flo and was able to stockpile some. My local grocery store H‑E‑B, replaced it with Linit Liquid starch. Works as well as Sta-Flo. I do full immersion just like you. If I put in a spray bottle, I just add a little alcohol. That’s to keep it from mildew and getting funky. If I do save some of the mixed starch, I do add a little alcohol to it. I haven’t tried making my own.
Oh! Ill take a look for Linit Liquid! Is it priced similarly? I loved that the Staflow was $3ish per bottle before they started to discontinue it.
How do you store the starched fabric? I’m always worried about bugs or spiders getting to my fabric so after it’s starched, I iron it and put in sealed containers. I like to starch the fabric when it arrives so I’m ready for a project once I can decide on a pattern…which sometimes takes way too long to decide. 😝
I usually only startch it when Im ready to use it. I have a couple quilt racks that I hang it over while Im in the process of using it. (although they are crowded right now bc of the Shoreline Pieceful Basket and Piece and Quilt sampler). I havent had any issues, but mine doesnt hang out too long.
We use 50% Vodka/Water in theatre. Squirt on smelly dry clean costumes in-between shows. Curbs the smell.
@DebbieWolgemuth Thanks so much for passing that along. Hate to feel like I'm pouring to much into the mix!! ;)
Isn’t Flatter more for seams after piecing and not for pre-prep?
Im not really sure! I went to look for it to make this video and its lost in my sewing room! LOL I havent read the directions. I thought Sherri from a Quilting Life loved it instead of starching like Kimberly at FQS does, but I could be wrong.
@@pickinstitches here’s what the website says “FLATTER MAKES IRONING EASIER. THIS STARCH-FREE SMOOTHING SPRAY RELAXES WRINKLES AND FRESHENS FABRICS. IT’S FLAT OUT FABULOUS! FLATTER LEAVES FABRIC SLEEK, SOFT, AND STATIC-FREE. PLUS, THE MILD FORMULATION IS EASY ON SENSITIVE SKIN, AND WON’T HARM THE ENVIRONMENT.”
I had an instructor loan me some for a block, it *does* flatten the seams.
In my experience, Flatter is great for getting stubborn wrinkles out but doesn’t really add body to the fabric. One spray product that I love is Magic (premium quilting and craft spray) which is a Faultless brand. It leaves fabric stiffer than Best Press and I use it when I’m using a pattern that has a lot of bias edges.
Brenda sent me. You have a nice work area. Have you ever used water thinned Elmer's (bottled White) School Glue. It will wash out. Than you.
I have not I may try it. Thanks for the tip!
Amazon has a concentrated starch. It's more expense than the Sta-flo.
I saw one that $16 ish per bottle. I just ordered a powder to try. Ill let you know how it goes :)
@@pickinstitches I saw the powder and wondered if it would separate. Looking forward to your review!
I followed your recipe of making starch (starch/water) and it worked great on light fabrics - however I’m not sure what happened with the darker fabrics - it went streaky 🙈
Thankfully it was for blocks that are smaller so it’s not really noticeable and hopefully it will wash out after but I’m now afraid to do larger dark fabric pieces.
Was it too thick?? I did notice after letting it cool there was a skim on the surface that got stirred in when I added the water?? Any hints or tips as to where I went wrong?
Love your videos…so useful and inspiring!
Oh no! Sorry you are having issues. If it at all doesnt seem well mixed right before you use it Id throw it in a blender or use an emersion blender, Even if it is too saturate and the water "puddles" on a dip in my rack I can see it. Good news though it will wash right out, I even spray it with a little water and massage it with a clean cotton cloth and it goes away too, even if you dont want to wash the whole project. Hope that helps!
I’m new to your channel and this question may have been asked and answered. Where did you get the large clappers/seam press? Thanks.
Welcome!!! Hubby made them for me. I need to do a video and show you guys all the things:)
@@pickinstitches thanks! they are amazing. I do lots of big blocks and they would be great. Do y’all have an Etsy shop? I’d love to see a video of all the things 😊
Do you wash your quilts after yoiunfinish them? Does the starch harm them if you dont wash?
I typically do. I make quilts to be used and if I gift them I want to make sure that there are no issues with color bleeding just incase. I love the way the look and feel after washing too!
@@pickinstitches Thank yoiu. One more question, was there enough fabric to starch the Sew Sampler June box? The jelly rolls make me thiunk twice about starching
@@lindabostedt1224 jelly rolls shrink in the length not the 2.5” side. I do it all the time
I tried homemade starch and it just isn't a good option. Amazon carries a concentrated liquid starch called Linit starch by Malco. It is comparable to StaFlo but it is $17 a gallon. StaFlo was dirt cheap so many got spoiled to that price. It's MUCH cheaper than Best Press that isn't even starch.
Im so spoiled at $3ish for 64 oz
What is the pattern of the table runner on the wall behind you?
That came in the sew Sampler box. Unfortunately, they dont sell it separately.
@@pickinstitches 😭 I did see they have boxes to sell. It looks like a good box.
@stephaniemartin8219 it is a fun one the paper star is different.
No more Sta-Flo?!
So sad! yes, they quilt making it!
I make my starch but instead of Vodka I use alcohol 70%
Good idea! I'll have to check it out!
Nope. More expensive than buying srarch
@@virginialegault4699 shoot!