Twelve Reasons to Pre-starch Your Fabric

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  • Опубликовано: 13 окт 2024
  • There has been a lot of talk in the quilt world recently about pre-starching your quilt fabric. I finally gave in and decided to try it to see how I liked it. I really really liked the outcome! It significantly improved the accuracy of my piecing!!! In this video, I cover 12 reasons for pre-starching!

Комментарии • 148

  • @Ez2beholli
    @Ez2beholli Год назад +13

    I spray starch my fabric and then give the fabric a really good pressing before I cut into it. I don’t soak my fabric to the point of having to dry it overnight and I don’t use any steam in my quilting iron. I use a mister to spray any blocks with water after they have been sewn together and I usually press my seams open and the blocks come out really flat and beautifully pieced together. Great video! ❤

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад +1

      We should all definitely do what works for each of us. It sounds like that is working out great for you! Thank you for watching and sharing! Thanks for the nice comments!

  • @Stacy-iu6ch
    @Stacy-iu6ch Год назад +5

    I spray at the board. Remember when we pre-washed and ironed? That is when I started to starch. Love the crispy paper I’m hooked also.

  • @beckyferris2390
    @beckyferris2390 Год назад +5

    I also pre-starch and it's a game changer! I use the method from Tiny Orchard Quilts on RUclips because I couldn't stand the thought of adding all those starch cans to the landfill.

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад +2

      It takes quite a bit of spray starch!!! Today I am experimenting with Staflo liquid starch.

  • @ZinaSchneider
    @ZinaSchneider Год назад +6

    I feel the same that you do about how much better my quilts are working out after decades of quilting. I have a kinda unique way of processing the fabrics that works great for precuts. I Sew Much Love your channel. Take care.

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад +2

      Thank you for the nice comments! I never thought I would pre-starch my fabrics! Just shows you we should be open to at least try things!

    • @carlyelly
      @carlyelly Год назад +1

      @ZinaSchneider, I’d love to hear your method for precuts!

  • @marcydiver
    @marcydiver 4 месяца назад

    I have just started to prestarch my fabric. I have watched Kimberly Jolly from Fat Quarter Shop, and she prestarches her fabric and her work is fantastic. I am happy with my decision to prestarch and have better results. I enjoyed your video. I just subscribed to your channel, but I have been watching for a while now. Thank you for your time and suggestions 😊.

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  4 месяца назад

      Welcome and thanks for watching and subscribing! The accuracy of my piecing improve so much when I started pre-starching. Now I do not like to sew without pre-starching! I do have to do that sometimes but I try to pre-starch everything I can!

  • @denisepineda1788
    @denisepineda1788 Год назад +6

    When I first started quilting,I did not starch. However, I do now except if I am using a precut. Every point you mentioned is why I do starch. My cutting and piecing are more accurate and I am turning out better blocks and quilts. It especially helps in bias pieces to keep from stretching them out of shape. Many thanks for your videos!

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад

      Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment!

    • @sandybruce9092
      @sandybruce9092 5 месяцев назад

      I will starch a layer cake or maybe a charm but rarely a jelly roll - but I’ve not had a problem with shrinkage. And I never use steam!!! Haven’t used it since I did ironing for a little change back in college 1965-66-67! But when I was a kid a mom said always, always empty the iron completely after using steam. I’m wondering if that could be a problem with some quilters getting spitting. We used distilled water back then but it appears thst the new irons can use regular tsp water - guess it depends on the quality of your tsp water. I never used tap water when I ‘iced in Phoenix!!!

  • @judythompson4851
    @judythompson4851 Год назад +3

    I pre starch but I did not know all the benefits to it that you pointed out. Thank you for enlightening me!

  • @mariecolello4222
    @mariecolello4222 Год назад +1

    Just re-started starching! I enjoy the stability of working with my fabrics! Thank you!

  • @kwatson5451
    @kwatson5451 Год назад +3

    Thanks for the starching tips and tricks. I only used best press on sewn seams and completed blocks.

  • @katherineelaine6182
    @katherineelaine6182 Год назад +2

    You may have just convinced me to try starch!

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад +1

      Katherine, Try a small amount first to make sure you like it. Maybe you can starch a few scraps to make a block.
      Today I will be filming the methods I tried for starching so you might want to check out that video this week,

    • @katherineelaine6182
      @katherineelaine6182 Год назад

      @@thesimplequilter7499 I'll def check out your video. Eventually I get around to watching them all. You make some great content.

  • @sandan2358
    @sandan2358 Год назад +4

    I love heavy starch.

  • @paulaweston5242
    @paulaweston5242 Год назад +3

    I have heared many speaches on the value of starching fabrics, but you are the first to actually make me want to try it. Also, I use a seam pressing bar to press open. It allows me to press very flat. They are not expensive and well worth it. I would get a long one so you can work with larger blocks as well as smaller pieces.

    • @carriemayer2980
      @carriemayer2980 Год назад +1

      I totally agree on using a seam pressing bar! If you Google "strip stick quilt", you should be able to find a couple versions. I made one with a piece of finishing wood from Home Depot and covered it with batting and a favorite fabric to personalize it, but there are a lot that you can just buy online. This really was one of the best items I ever added to my quilting tools inventory. Thanks for your thorough video on pre-starching!

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад

      Carrie, You are most welcome! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад

      Paula, I believe fabric will shrink whenever it gets wet included being wet from water, steam, starch, and/or starch alternatives.

    • @barbaramunoz9217
      @barbaramunoz9217 Год назад

      What is a pressing bar?

    • @paulaweston5242
      @paulaweston5242 Год назад +1

      @@barbaramunoz9217 A pressing bar is a piece of wood in the shape of a dowel cut in half length wise giving a semi circular appearance. It is usually covered with padding or wool. You place it under your seam and press to flatten that seam. It works very well. Hope this isn't confusing.

  • @connieking9873
    @connieking9873 Год назад +4

    I have used starch in the past I mix mine half and half then use spray bottle. Mostly I did after sewing block together and before squaring up but love this video and have to say going to try. I rarely press seams open but lately with the smaller pieces and light colors both are good ideas as to why I need to be more diligent. Your visual with the iron and pressing is perfect as it shows us the result. Sometimes just saying it doesn’t process as well😢. Kimberly Jolly says starching the jelly rolls works as it shrinks length not width. Love this video

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад +3

      Yes, a jelly roll strip will shrink on the WOF not at the 2 1/2" because that is on the lengthwise grain.

  • @dianehall9940
    @dianehall9940 Год назад +4

    I used Best Press on all the fabrics on my last quilt (the 2021 Liberty Box) and could really tell the difference. I will use it on all of my fabrics from now on.

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад +1

      I have used Best Press for years and l have really liked it. I will continue to use it on all my UFOs. I think I will be pre-starching all my new projects.

  • @Carol_Sews
    @Carol_Sews Год назад +1

    I prewash my fabric, press with steam, and then at the time I’m making something, Best Press only the area of fabric I will be cutting my pieces from. It’s important to let the Best Press have the time to soak into the fabric. I press when the fabric is still a little damp. If the fabric isn’t stiff enough after you have pressed it with a dry iron, you can spray the other side with more Best Press and repeat the procedure. If the Best Press is too wet, the iron will stick to the fabric. Looking forward to your next video about your starching experiments.

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад

      I have used Best Press for years; however, I am now sold on pre-starching. I want my fabric to be pre-shrunk and the pre-starching does it was well as it stiffens the fabric. My piecing is so much more accurate.

  • @casey0613
    @casey0613 Год назад +1

    I’m a new quilter but have been sewing garments and home Dec for decades. As a garment sewer you ALWAYS pre-wash any fabric that can shrink. That’s just the way my grandmother who was a dressmakers taught me. Fast forward 40+ years and I’ve learned to quilt. The first one I made, I automatically pre-washed my fabric. It was not coming out well. I decided to start over but I fully starch my fabric and voilé! Perfection.
    One very important thing you should know, because starch is either made with wheat, or some kind of a green. It can indeed draw bugs, so only starch fabric that you’re going to use it right away, do not store it starched. 😊. PS I love your quilt in the background. Is a pattern available?

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад +1

      I designed that one. There is no pattern; however, I have a video that will show and tell you how to make it without a pattern.

  • @dbledni
    @dbledni Год назад +3

    Great explanation of your experience!! 😊 I don't pre-starch, but I agree with your explanations of benefits 100%. I'm just lazy, so just use Best Press or spray starch as needed. I almost never prewash my fabric, just test for bleed and get to cuttin' 😂. I depend on the manufacturer's sizing to give fabric the stability needed for cutting. And good fabric doesn't fray that much, in my experience. I guess I've been lucky that after piecing, quilting and washing my quilt "points" continued to be "on point" 😂 Thanks for sharing, love your videos! 👍🏼

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад +1

      Thank you so much for watching and sharing! Pre-starching and pre-washing fabric are not for everyone. Each of us just has to find what works best for us.

  • @carylannerosten
    @carylannerosten Год назад +4

    I'm a believer of best press for preparing my precuts as well and even though the squares loose that near 1/4 inch, I have found they're easier to square up. As we are aware, all 5 and 10 inch squares are not created equal, if you will only use 9.5 inches anyway then starch and press is the way to get better results. I do every 2.5 inch strips they're going to shrink about 1/2 inch , and piecing with those darn pinked edges , well I do find the strips are easy to cut them away if necessary.

  • @raeblain3109
    @raeblain3109 Год назад +1

    Was not a starcher but after the last quilt I made I will definitely do it. Thanks for another great video.

  • @laurasaldana3313
    @laurasaldana3313 Год назад +3

    I’ve only pre-starched a couple of times. The first time was on a hunter’s star quilt for my husband and I made the mistake of starching AFTER I had already trimmed down my fat quarters so I used my math skills to figure out smaller measurements for the blocks and it all turned out alright. I still need to starch background fabric for my son’s quilt that I’m going to be making soon. I only starch when a pattern recommends it because of bias cuts or tiny piecing. I think for me it just takes too long and I don’t have the room to have all of my fabric laid out to starch it. I do see the benefits of it though.

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад +1

      I think we should all do what works for each of us. We do have to be careful what quilts we decide to pre-starch.

  • @deborahlunsford6983
    @deborahlunsford6983 Год назад +4

    Very interesting. I use Best Press only but i am thinking about trying starch since your video. What brand do you use? I would be interested to see your starching technique. Thanks AGAIN.

    • @juliatepe5760
      @juliatepe5760 Год назад

      Yes, I would like to see your techniques as well. Your Quilt is stunning!

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад +1

      I hope to put out a video next week on how I pre-starch! Stay tuned!

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад

      Thank you! I hope to put out a video next week showing how I pre-starch.

  • @ccreel64
    @ccreel64 Год назад +1

    I’ve not starched before but I am a fan of best press. When I was a kid my grandmother used to starch my jeans in a pot on the stove top. They were really uncomfortable to wear and that put me off starch. My mom always used spray starch but it flaked and I never liked that either. Now that I know from quilting what not to do, I think I’ll revisit starching for quilting because I have the same problems you did before starching. Thank you for this video Michelle! 🤗

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад +1

      You are most welcome! Try a little first to see if you like it.

    • @ccreel64
      @ccreel64 Год назад

      @@thesimplequilter7499 I went with a light coat of spray starch, let it almost dry, then ironed. Much more crisp than the sizing! Thank you for getting me to try starch! ❤️

  • @megharmon2298
    @megharmon2298 Год назад +2

    I was using 1/4 Stay Flo to 3/4 water. However I was having a problem with gunk on my iron. So I started just using water but not happy with piecing or pressing. I had used canned light weight and heavy spray prior with same result of messy iron. Recently I bought Niagara sizing, worked great, no iron gunk. However, I'm not sure if it pre shrinks or any of the other effects. I will have to see. But it DOES improve my piecing. Great video.

  • @janeteberhart8480
    @janeteberhart8480 Год назад +2

    I've just recently started to use Best Press as I was having the difficulties you mention- inaccuracy, unmatched points etc. It saved me when making very small pinwheel blocks and now I am using it on 2 other projects that I was about to give up on. I didn't like the stains it made on my ironing board cover and just recently got a new one. I think I'll best press or starch the fabric, then cut, the use my wool mat for pressing seams as I am used to using starch and see now that steam could have been affecting my blocks also. Thank you for this!

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад

      Janet, Thanks for watching and commenting! I also used Best Press and I do like that product. Using steam, starch, and/or a starch alterative will all shrink your fabric some. You can put a cloth down on your board to help protect your board from Best Press. It can also make your floor sticky.

    • @Carol_Sews
      @Carol_Sews Год назад +2

      I cover my ironing board with several layers of muslin before using Best Press. I put old towels on the floor around my ironing board. I only use Best Press on the section of the fabric I will be cutting from. Best Press can change fabric color a little, especially solids, so you need to test a small area first and spray evenly.

  • @deborah1555
    @deborah1555 Год назад +2

    I've begun to starch as well. Better accuracy, less stretching of bias and less fraying are my main reasons. I pre-starch Outdoors on a cloth covered table to better protect my lungs. I will then drape the fabric over plastic hangers then bring indoors and hang in the shower - turn the fan on and close the door.

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад

      Deborah, I think it is super important to protect your lungs as well!!! I am going to also try Staflow starch to see how I like that product. I will be putting out a video very soon on how I pre-starch.

  • @annelumsden5775
    @annelumsden5775 Год назад +2

    Thankyou for great info. I had no idea fabric would shrink so much. I use best press now and again. Maybe this is just me but the best press evaporated in the bottle with the spray attachment, after I use my best press I now replace the spray lid with the original solid screw top lid.
    I live in Scotland so it's a temperate climate. Another mystery I guess.

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад

      Wow! Scotland!!! That is so cooooool!!! I think our fabrics will shrink basically whenever they get wet. That could be with water, steam, starch, or a starch alternative. I couldn't believe how much it shrunk either!

  • @BEVERLYRANDOLPH-lx4qu
    @BEVERLYRANDOLPH-lx4qu Год назад +3

    I have a tremor and I find it impossible to press seams open. It’s just too frustrating and I lack the patience and tenacity to struggle with it. I’ve rejected pre-starching because of the mess and I don’t have a drying space. Where did you dry? Did you use spray starch and dry on racks like FQS Kimberly Jolly does? I’m considering pre-starching the M&S fabric I’m making a quilt for myself with. I’m getting close to starting that quilt and since it’s going to be a medallion quilt, I could do it in batches-starch a “round” at a time, maybe. Okay, my response is I’m considering it. Thanks for this video, Michelle. It’s thought-provoking! 😀

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад +1

      Beverly, I did use the method like Kimberly Jolly and Lisa Bonjean; however, I am experimenting with Staflo liquid starch today. I will be doing a video soon on the processes I have experimented with.

  • @barbolson8768
    @barbolson8768 Год назад +3

    Hi Michelle, I have never pre-starched my fabric. Your video has convinced me that I should. What brand of starch do you recommend ?

    • @saramccool4899
      @saramccool4899 Год назад

      I would like to know also and what method

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад +1

      Barb, Next week I hope to post a video on how I pre-starch and show you a couple of options.

  • @diannplatt-roberts8692
    @diannplatt-roberts8692 Год назад +1

    I use starch on some of my projects. I put some liquid starch in a spray bottle, add water, and mist lightly.

  • @suziehemmer6116
    @suziehemmer6116 Год назад +1

    I never have used starch. I also use a dry iron. I keep a sprits bottle of water near if needed. I personally don't have an issue with pressing open when needed. But, it does take longer to make it a nice press on front and back. I don't have a wool pressing bar. But, I want one. I am certain that a wool pressing bar would be so helpful when pressing open seams.

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад

      Wool pressing bars do help. I have scorched mine several times. I think you should do what works for you. Starching is not for everyone.

  • @sunseekerrs3087
    @sunseekerrs3087 Год назад +3

    Michelle, your quilt is beautiful! I have found in addition to all of the benefits of starching you listed, there is very little lint from the fabric in my machine when I have used starch. Now do you dip starch or use a spray starch (I’m sorry….I don’t remember if you mentioned it)? And if you’ve done both, which do you prefer? I have dip starched yardage using a 1:1 ratio of StaFlo and water, and also put StaFlo and distilled water into a misting bottle to spray fabric before cutting. I used to use Best Press but it was expensive and I wanted my fabric stiffer. And even though it takes longer, I prefer dip starching the fabric as I think it absorbs into the fabric better. I’ve never tried the canned starch but might have to give it a try.

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад +1

      I am hoping to post a video next week on methods for pre-starching and which ones I like best. Do you have difficulty finding the Staflo liquid starch?

  • @annhinz6326
    @annhinz6326 Год назад +5

    So are you saying that there is a significant difference between using best press and regular starch?

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад +1

      For me there definitely was and I have been using Best Press for years.

  • @Sherri_O
    @Sherri_O Год назад +2

    I don’t starch because I don’t have the space or ventilated area to do do, and my son is prone to skin issues. I just use a water in a spray bottle and a hot iron. I’ve started using Elmer's glue and a precision tip (I like the ones from Pen and Paper Designs) to "pin" my seams, and that has helped my piecing a lot. I also use a clapper when I press my seams open. It gets them super flat. I’m used to pressing open because I’ve made a few Elizabeth Hartman patterns.

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад +2

      For sure do what works for you. Starching is not for everyone. I am glad you have found what works for you!

  • @FiberBabble
    @FiberBabble Год назад

    I use quilter's moonshine in my daily sewing, and if I'm working with bias edges I hit it with the Niagara. But one lightbulb you switched on for me is why my blocks end up too small after piecing - I'm shrinking the components each time I spray and press! I'm about to start a quilt to enter into the fair and I've dunked and line-dried the fabrics before cutting. Thanks to you, I'm looking forward to smooth sailing!

  • @sandraroberts1234
    @sandraroberts1234 9 месяцев назад

    I haven't starched because I was worried about the smell. Do you give your gift quilts away as is when finished or wash first? I don't generally wash my quilts because I like the crisp look of them. I did sort of spray starch one quilt I'm currently working on meaning sprayed each fat quarter, let it sit for a minute, then ironed, but I don't think that was the totally saturating spray starching people are talking about. I would like to try the Stayflo starch, but I know I'll never do the starching from a spray can to the point of saturation. Too time consuming and concerning about all that spray in the air. You have convinced me to try. I just found your channel, and I love it. Very scientific. I'm going to search your videos to see if you have one showing how you starch as in percentage Stayflo to water, etc. Thank you very much.

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  9 месяцев назад

      50/50 with water

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  9 месяцев назад

      I haven’t gifted any completed large quilts yet that have bee starched. I do not plan to wash before gifting. The starch helps fight stains so I will let those I gift it to wash them.

  • @kathleenlopes7559
    @kathleenlopes7559 Год назад +5

    I use spray starch to prep my fabric. Terial magic is what I have been using.

  • @peggersf9709
    @peggersf9709 Год назад +2

    I’ve been starching for almost 3 years. I use stay flo. The main reason I do, is I do a lot of
    small-tiny piecing. Starching helps fraying also. I starch small pieces as I need. My backgrounds I’ll starch yards at a time. I just let everything air dry.

  • @dianelouise3944
    @dianelouise3944 Год назад +1

    I almost always heavily starch. I suspect starch was the source of a couple of problems I experienced though. One incident was when I wasn’t able to completely remove Crayola washable marker from starched fabric , even though it has always been easy to remove from unstarched fabric. The second problem involves color running. When I submerge fabric in liquid starch, the color seems more likely to run than it does in water. I also had an incident where I dropped a little water on a newly completed quilt and the color ran horribly. I tested some of the same fabric I hadn’t starched and it didn’t run at all. In all fairness, I did use washable glue to layer the quilt and that also could have possibly caused the color to run.

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад

      Diane, Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I do not know what ingredient in the starch would make the color bleed, but I am not a textile expert. Did this just happen on two different occasions or have you noticed a pattern? I have been concerned about fabric bleeding in general; however, we can easily test for color fastness before we get our fabric wet with any liquid (water, starch, starch alternative). I have only had a few fabrics bleed over my 30 years of quilting. Sometimes, I think we will run into fabrics that will bleed. Your thoughts?

    • @dianelouise3944
      @dianelouise3944 Год назад

      @@thesimplequilter7499 It has happened multiple times. I’m dipping my fabric into a gallon of starch so any color run-off is more noticeable in the liquid than if I washed it in a machine with much more water. I always dip the lightest fabrics first. In my non-quilting life, I often throw color catchers in with anything I’m washing and they rarely come out the same color they went in. This tells me that most fabrics bleed at least a tiny bit but it’s not enough to make a noticeable discoloration in the nearby fabrics. The incident with the finished quilt has only happened once to me but it was very strange because the starched/glued fabric bled an amazing amount. Luckily synthrapol got it out. All the fabrics I’m referring to are from very well-known manufacturers and quilt shop quality.

  • @livingweirdestherc6644
    @livingweirdestherc6644 Год назад +2

    I have not starched but I’m going to give it a try

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад

      Trying it on a small project before you pre-starch a bunch is a good idea. Not everyone likes to starch. Good luck! I sure like it!

  • @jo-annevandermey2704
    @jo-annevandermey2704 Год назад +3

    Maybe I missed it but do you spray all the fabric and let it dry and then iron? The lady from the fat quarter shop really starches her fabric and hangs it to dry. Do you find starch woeks better or the same as best press?
    I wash all my fabric to shrink it and get the manufacturers sizing and potential dye out.
    I havent routinely starched everything.
    I do use best press if it is a flimsy fabric.
    I think I will try starching my fabric. I think I would be a sprayer over a soaker of starch.
    You have almost convinced this lazy quilter to starch.
    And you have raised many questions in my mind.
    There is the sizing vs starch option too!
    Sorry for the long post. I am an info junkie.

    • @saramccool4899
      @saramccool4899 Год назад +2

      Ooo good questions!

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад +1

      Jo-Anne, You have great questions and I always want to know more too! I have used Best Press for years; however, I like the accuracy the starch provides more than Best Press. I have sprayed my fabric thoroughly with the canned starch and let it dry. Today I am trying Staflo to see how I like it. I will put out a video when I have experimented a little more with the Staflo. Stay tuned! Thanks for watching and you had a great post!

    • @jo-annevandermey2704
      @jo-annevandermey2704 Год назад +1

      I await your video! Although it could be said I could do the experiment myself! Lol. I am away on vacation so it will have to wait awhile. Thanks for your answer!

    • @Carol_Sews
      @Carol_Sews Год назад +2

      I prewash all my fabric and press it using steam. Then just before cutting I use Best Press on only the area of fabric I plan to cut from by masking the remaining fabric using wax paper. One time I used some Best Press on an area of a finished block that wouldn’t press flat, and it shrank a little more. I think that consistency within a project is the key. Whichever method you choose, you need to do it for every fabric and every block in your project.

  • @HeidiSanToro
    @HeidiSanToro Год назад +4

    I always starch. I get the BEST results

  • @AvivaHadas
    @AvivaHadas Год назад +1

    I think this is another example of find what works for you.
    I don't starch, but I also don't have the issues with accuracy, concerns about flatness, etc. that you do.
    And this is my hobby. I'm not trying to make a living from quilting so I don't need perfect show quality to earn the big prizes or to parlay perfection into a teaching gig.
    I only press open when necessary - like when 8 points meet... But I've also seen where machine quilting has hit the stitches where the seams are pressed open and popped them leaving a hole. I would rather not have that happen on my quilts.

  • @andrsn4u455
    @andrsn4u455 Год назад +1

    Hello Michelle. I liked all your thoughts on the pre starch. I have never pre-starched mine but I may have to pick one quilt I can start and try it. Do you spray it and let it dry or does it make a difference if you iron it dry? Your quilt is beautiful. If you pre-starch does that mean if you use water or steam while you make your units does it shrink more? Thanks for your advise. Hugs

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад +2

      Great questions! Here are my thoughts: I think most of the shrinkage will occur the first time the fabric is drenched with a liquid (starch, water, steam, starch alternative). If you just lightly spray and/or steam iron it, I think it will shrink more until it reaches the max. For example: I think a 10" square will shrink up to 1/2" its done. If you just spray it lightly once it may shrink a little...spray again a little more then I think it won't shrink more than 1/2". I spray it until it is drenched and then I let it dry completely. I do not iron it wet. I think that will gum up your iron. I am experimenting with Staflo today and hope to do another video soon on the outcomes of spray and liquid starch. Once I let it dry, I will press using steam.

    • @ccreel64
      @ccreel64 Год назад +2

      Adding to Michelle’s great reply here. Ironing starched fabric dry can cause the starch to flake. Unless you’re okay with that, I recommend letting your fabric air dry to the touch before ironing.

  • @saramccool4899
    @saramccool4899 Год назад +2

    I Reventon made a quilt that said press open... what a pain lol but maybe if i had starched...

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад +1

      Pressing seams open when the fabric has been starched is incredible for me!!!

  • @karenwood2928
    @karenwood2928 Год назад

    Thanks for this! Best Press doesn’t shrink fabric at all?

  • @martinagraham3792
    @martinagraham3792 Год назад +1

    I think you are being too hard on yourself. Your work has always been meticulous, starch or no starch. However, I understand the desire to improve. I have not used starch a lot but your breakdown of all the reasons may be a game changer for me. Thank you for sharing with the quilting community.

  • @carmenmaldonado6486
    @carmenmaldonado6486 Год назад +5

    I pre starch too

  • @sandybruce9092
    @sandybruce9092 5 месяцев назад

    I use spray starch - tried Bes Press and hated it! I have a gallon container of it I need to give to someone else. Sta-Flo half and half with water in a spray container works well. It’s just too wet for my liking - so I’ll stick with spray cans!

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  5 месяцев назад

      There is always more than one way to do something so definitely do what works for you! I use both methods. I guess it really depends on how much fabric I have to starch! Thanks for watching and sharing!!!

  • @sandragula4863
    @sandragula4863 Год назад

    I’ve debated, particularly with small piecing. I’m going to try it now. I will be starting a project, so perfect opportunity to put it to the test. Does anyone know if it effects colors bleeding. Can you still use color catchers for the wash?

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад +2

      Sandra, Over my 30 years of quilting, I have had quilt shop quality fabrics and lesser quality fabrics. Batiks are over dyed so they are at risk for bleeding. I use several color catchers in when I wash a quilt. I have not been one to prewash fabric; however, I am going to start prewashing my dark blues, dark greens, purples, blacks, and reds for sure. I think I am also going to start using a color fixative also. We all spend a lot of time and money on our quilts and I don't want mine to get ruined in the wash! Pre-washing and using a color fixative does take more time and planning. Remember, when you wash your quilt, the starch will come out. I hope you like the starching as much as I do!

    • @sandragula4863
      @sandragula4863 Год назад +1

      @@thesimplequilter7499 I started a new project today, first starching all fabric. I found the cutting to be much easier, and so far piecing is unbelievably accurate. I’m a believer!

    • @carlyelly
      @carlyelly Год назад

      @thesimplequilter, are you talking about Retayne?

  • @saramccool4899
    @saramccool4899 Год назад +2

    So HOW do YOU starch? Do you really do the tub method?

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад

      Sara, I will be showing how I pre-starch in a video next week I hope! Stay tuned!

  • @carmenmaldonado6486
    @carmenmaldonado6486 Год назад +2

    The best press stains my white fabric yellow.I use spray starch

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад +1

      I have never had Best Press stain my fabrics. I wonder why it stained yours.

  • @lizharris1728
    @lizharris1728 Год назад +4

    I pre starch all my fabric except precuts.makes for more accurate cutting

  • @YomeidaGarza-ku4dx
    @YomeidaGarza-ku4dx 3 месяца назад

    I WASH N SPFAY MY CZ RIC WITH SI,EN N L FEALLY LIKE HOW IT GRRNS OUT

  • @kathleen.rogers1442
    @kathleen.rogers1442 6 месяцев назад

    What kind of iron do you use Michelle?

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  6 месяцев назад +1

      Right now I am using an Oliso. In some of my videos you will see me using a Chi. I like them both!

    • @kathleen.rogers1442
      @kathleen.rogers1442 6 месяцев назад

      @@thesimplequilter7499 thank you Michelle, I hadn’t seen that Chi iron before! It looks like it did a very good job pressing flat 👍🏻

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  6 месяцев назад

      @@kathleen.rogers1442 My Chi iron is a really good iron and cost less than Oliso irons!

  • @barbaramunoz9217
    @barbaramunoz9217 Год назад

    Do I have a video on how to pre starch the whole piece of fabric
    And what you use?

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад

      Barbara, Here is a video of mine titled "Two Options for Pre-starching Your Fabric"
      ruclips.net/video/Xhd0QBpcMfY/видео.html
      I think it will show you what you are looking for.

  • @viralprimenetwork
    @viralprimenetwork Год назад +1

    Wow, this is super helpful! 🌟 I had no idea there were so many benefits to pre-starching fabric. We sent you an email, we would love to connect and collaborate with you.

  • @Sandyk43
    @Sandyk43 6 месяцев назад

    How do you starch? Products?

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  6 месяцев назад

      Here is the video to show you: ruclips.net/video/Xhd0QBpcMfY/видео.html

  • @denisebooth866
    @denisebooth866 Год назад +2

    I starch too.

  • @debbielong1168
    @debbielong1168 Год назад +1

    I wash and starch all my fabric before it goes into my stash

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад

      I have never prewashed my fabric; however, I am considering it now. I have had two quilts bleed and it just ruins all of your hard work. I will also be using retayne on my dark colored fabrics prior to using.

  • @sennabrayboy6697
    @sennabrayboy6697 Год назад +2

    No but will

  • @peggybutts9601
    @peggybutts9601 Год назад +2

    I am a big believer in starching my fabric. I also starch my precuts and adjust the pattern if need be. I know I will loose anywhere between a 1/4 to 1/2 inch in one direction. I just like how my blocks piece and press when they are starched. I order 12 cans at a time from Walmart!! Love the quilt behind you. I think you won the challenge !! Kimberly Jolly got me to become a starcher and also to press my seams open. It really does make the seams lay flatter.

    • @thesimplequilter7499
      @thesimplequilter7499  Год назад

      Yes I agree! Thank you for the nice compliments! The challenge was so much fun!

    • @sandybruce9092
      @sandybruce9092 5 месяцев назад

      I need to check my local Walmart as I have a hard time finding spray starch anywhere! I did find it on Amazon but not thrilled with the price per can!!!