Quilting

[ding]

Do you starch before you start quilting the top of a quilt.

[classynsassy]

Re: Quilting

I’m a firm believer in starch from beginning to end, I starch all fabric before I make my first cut, I starch as I press, I starch the rows as I join and I starch my top when it’s done. If it doesn’t make it immediately on my Longarm I find that well pressed and starched tops have no wrinkles or creases when folded and stored.

[Bernina2]

Re: Quilting

Personally I see no reason to ever use starch
at any stage of the quilting process.
Plus I would not want to add harmful
chemicals to my fabric/quilt.

[auntstuff]

Re: Quilting

I have never used starch when making a quilt.

[Tracie T]

Re: Quilting

If I'm pressing yardage, I like to use starch, especially if I'm going to be cutting 2 1/2 inch strips. I don't want any wrinkles.

[Vonnie]

Re: Quilting

For me, it depends on the fabric. If the seams won't lie flat, I starch. If the wrinkles or creases won't come out, I starch.

[JCY]

Re: Quilting

When I have a completed top, the threads on the back have been clipped, etc., I use spray starch to press it as well as the backing before I sandwich it & quilt. If I have fabric that has folds or wrinkles, I will use Best Press to those areas when pressing, prior to cutting.

[Claire Hallman]

Re: Quilting

Starching can reduce wrinkle but even better it reduces raveling. I starch when I am prepping fabric to cut and then again when pressing stubborn seams and often before sandwiching.
I have a friend that starches her fabric to the point of being like paper, her piecing is absolutely precise and gorgeous. I can't seem to get mine that stiff.

[KarenC]

Re: Quilting

For me, it depends on the quilt. I have made many without starch, but others I do you starch. Definitely use it before cutting anything with that will create bias edges. I did a king size quilt which was all triangles cut with a tri recs ruler. For that quilt, I used lots of starch. The starch definitely helped me with the cutting and piecing. Don't remember using starch in the final pressing before quilting.

[Trudy A]

Re: Quilting

I am a starcher, especially when a pattern calls for smaller pieces. I find my piecing is more precise when I use starch. Before sandwiching I always starch both the backing and the top, this seems to help prevent wrinkles.

[Old Newbie]

Re: Quilting

I love threads like these! Quilting allows such creative freedom!

[ding]

Re: Quilting

Thank you all for the response.

[grammaterry]

Re: Quilting

Ive never starched but may rethink thisafter this thread

[Deegles]

Re: Quilting

I used to be a non-starch fan. And realized as my iron aged, starch really helps puff the threads in the fabric and removes wrinkles. Saves me money on purchasing a new iron. So I start a project I pre starch. I can avoid ironing and get by with finger pressing because the starch has allowed my fabric this short cut. Try it both ways. As far as starching a quilt top before quilting, I would say yes. If you will be doing the quilt, the quilt will pool or be wadded up to fit the throat space and therefore somewhat wrinkled. The batting helps keep hard wrinkles from forming.

[dwil23]

Re: Quilting

The best advice I ever got for machine quilting was to starch, starch then starch again - especially for the backing. It will help to prevent those little tucks that can get stitched into the backs.