Starching fabric and fusible webbing

[Beth A.]

Hi Janet! I'm getting a very late start and am just now pre washing my fabrics. I have washed ,starched, and ironed a little over half of my fabric and the thought just came to mind about starch and fusible web. Will the starch make it difficult to adhere the fusible to the fabric? I think I will hold off doing anymore starching and pressing until I hear from you. Thanks

[Janet S.]

I have never had any issues with the fusible adhering to starched fabric. But I do use the Sta-Flo mixture and Lite Steam a Seam 2. I would just test a scrap and see if you have any issues. Happy quiltmaking!

[Beth A.]

Thank you so much for your quick response. I haven't been able to find the Sta-Flo starch or the Steam-a-Seam so am using Best Press and will be using either Shades Soft Fuse or Pellon Wonder Under since that's what I have on hand. Will test as you suggest. Thanks again.

[Andree B.]

Thank you so much for your quick response. I haven't been able to find the Sta-Flo starch or the Steam-a-Seam so am using Best Press and will be using either Shades Soft Fuse or Pellon Wonder Under since that's what I have on hand. Will test as you suggest. Thanks again.

I've been using BestPress and Soft Fuse for the BOM2013 - no problem at all!

Andrée

[Andree B.]

I have just started using Best Press and have not had any problems with it sticking to fusibles on my mug rugs.

[Susan B.]

Amazon has Sta-Flo (at least in the USA) and can be purchased by the case. It's so inexpensive, especially cut half & half with water and I love how stiff it makes the fabric. No shipping fees with Prime.

[Beth A.]

Thanks for all the helpful info. You guys are all great!

[Beth A.]

I just bought Sta-Flo at Wal-Mart.

[Debbie W.]

Does anyone have a problem with their ironing surface getting 'yucky' when using spray starch? If I spray small pieces, there is always overspray and that messes up my surface. I'm also using the StaFlo/water mix in a bottle with a nice, fine spray. However, even though I diluted the starch with more than 1/2 water, I am still getting flakes on the fabric. I try spraying very lightly, but the flakes still appear. Any suggestions from TQS land?

Thanks!

[Janet S.]

Does anyone have a problem with their ironing surface getting 'yucky' when using spray starch? If I spray small pieces, there is always overspray and that messes up my surface. I'm also using the StaFlo/water mix in a bottle with a nice, fine spray. However, even though I diluted the starch with more than 1/2 water, I am still getting flakes on the fabric. I try spraying very lightly, but the flakes still appear. Any suggestions from TQS land?

Thanks!

I spray lightly and then wait a few seconds, turn the fabric over, then press. Some spray bottles are better than others. The finer the spray, the better. I also repeat the process a couple times depending on the fabric. Some flimsy fabrics needs several applications. You could use a piece of muslin over your pressing surface if you are getting overspray. Happy starching!

[E.M. T.]

If you are using spray starch ...in the can or mix your own.. you need allow the starch to soak in a for
a few minutes (I spray on the back when I can) then press to dry. If it has dried, reactivate with steam.
Repeat if more stiffness is needed. If I'm working on light colored fabric ...I press on back...and/or use press
cloth. I also keep a damp/wet cloth handy to run my hot iron over to remove the scorched starch from
the sole as I work. Starch is my friend ! even if it slows me down a little.

[Debbie W.]

Janet and Marilyn, thanks for the great suggestions. I never thought about laying muslin down and now I've done it. Terrific!!
And, Marilyn, I think that letting the starch dry will solve a lot of my issues. I always iron it wet, so now I will try let it dry. I have a feeling st will do the trick.

[Judith A.]

I have tried all kinds of press cloths. My favorite is a homemade press cloth of white silk organza. Silk organza takes the high heat required to iron cotton and linen. Also, it is transparent, which lets you see what you are pressing underneath the press cloth.

One very helpful tool I have found is the Prym Dritz Iron Apron. It lets me iron wet, heavily starched fabric without sticking. I have used mine for about a year, and I don't have to clean my iron anymore. I got mine at JoAnn's with a coupon. It retails about $9 or $10.

I starch heavily, using the concentrated liquid starch diluted 50/50. I don't have a problem with starch flaking on the fabric as long as I let it soak in before ironing - even if the fabric is still wet.

Judy

[Judith A.]

Recently, I put freezer paper on my pressing board, pressed it on to the board and then did my spraying. When I was done with my starching I just removed it and threw it away. Was perfect, but it suited my needs.

[Margo C.]

I spread old beach towels on the floor to absorb the over-spray, and spray pieces of fabric with 50/50 Sta-Flo/water until saturated, and just let them air dry on the floor.
I usually starch what I need tomorrow and let it dry overnight, and never have flaking because the fibers absorb the starch.
If the pieces are large, I will soak them in the starch mixture and wring out the excess then spread the yardage on the towels to air dry.
I seldom try to iron the fabric dry. Just takes entirely too much time!