Starching and Trimming

I know I sound like a broken record, but I cannot tell you how much better your stitching will be if you pre-starch your fabrics.  

I started the Primitive Gatherings Christmas sew along a couple of years ago, and did not starch my fabrics.  The piecing involved  many tiny units, and even though I knew about the benefits of starching when I started the project, I didn't bother with the extra step.  Mistake.

At the end of the sew along, I set my blocks aside as I wasn't sure how I wanted to set them into a quilt top.  This summer I found a fantastic setting idea and got my blocks out.  When I revisited them I found a large number of them are really not good enough to use.  The blocks are soft and floppy, not square, the points don't line up, and they are full of flaws and inconsistencies.

The one on the left is one I made two years ago with unstarched fabric.  It is bigger than the 6 1/2" size it is supposed to be, and when I sew it into the quilt top, some of the outer points will surely be cut off.  The one on the right is made with starched fabrics, but in addition I also trimmed up each unit to a uniform size before sewing the block together.  I made sure each of those nine units for the block measured a perfect 2 1/2".  And guess what?  My block is a perfect 6 1/2".

I used Bloc Loc flying geese rulers to trim the geese units, triangle papers for the  1 inch half square triangles and a Precision Trim ruler for squaring up the units and the completed block.

So the good news is, sewing with starched fabrics and trimming your block units to size before sewing makes for a very nice finished quilt block.  The bad news is, I am having to re-make a good number of the blocks I made for that sew along, in particular, the blocks with the smaller pieces and fussier sewing.

These are twelve blocks I have re-made.  It's a lot of work, but so worth it.  I am so much happier with the results- crisp looking blocks, sharp points, accurate size.

ADDED LATER:

I'm getting lots of questions about starching.  I am not talking about a little spritz of Best Press.  That is a great product, but is way too expensive for the kind of starching I am referring to.  I use cans of Faultless Heavy Spray Starch which I buy buy the dozen at Walmart for just over $1 a can.  You want to spray your fabric pieces so heavily that they are literally dripping wet.  Dry on a drying rack outside or in the tub.  Iron when dry and then cut.  

 

 

 

Comments

[Bridget]

I have been using Best Pressed but keep thinking regular starch would be a good idea. What is your process? starch before cutting? how much? How do you dry the fabric? Give us wannabes so hints :) and I love your stars!!!!

[Karen Likens]

I've heard the starch attracts bugs. Have you had any issues? Also, do you starch 1/2 yard or 1 yard pieces or only strips?
Thanks.
Karen L.

[Mary Kastner]

Hard to believe the difference. I do like having the pieces of fabric more stable when I am messing with them but I really had no idea it was making that much difference. I do wash my projects after I complete them to get it all out and some softness in. These blocks are really pretty. Hope the redos go quickly!

Mary

[Nancy Watkins]

I use Best Press but plan to try the starch on my next project. Your blocks look perfect and this will be another pretty quilt!

[Michele]

Do you prewash your fabric? I don’t but I’m also amazed how much the fabric shrinks sometimes from starching. Love these blocks!

[Colleen Gander]

Because I wash the completed quilt or project, I don't worry about bugs. I starch using the kind you make by adding water. I make up enough to soak the fabric in and then dry it over a wood drying rack. I press it when the fabric is still a bit damp. Your advice started me on this practice and I have found my piecing has improved greatly. Thanks, Nicole. I'm interested in your setting ideas too.

[Debbie R.]

Thanks for showing photos of the starch and no-starch results. It's amazing how clear the difference is, and how crisp and accurate the starched blocks look. Thanks for the great advice.

[Kathleen Gentile]

I am working on my first project with starched fabric, and it has been wonderful for cutting and accuracy in piecing. I will definitely do it again. However...I learned the hard way that the fabric would shrink. My project was a kit, and included 5x10 inch precuts. After starching, my pieces were 4 1/2x10. I could not cut the required number of 5" pieces needed, and had to reduce the pattern by 1/2" to accommodate the new size. I will definitely be more cautious when using precuts, and make sure that the pattern will still work with "shrunken" fabric.

[Hildy]

Your blocks look great!
I don't use starch (not a fan of chemicals and I think it's really bad for nature and after all we just have thiss one world) but I always iron my fabrics before I cut, iron after each step and trim my units before I sew them together. My blocks turn out great too and it's much friendly for nature. Sorry, I don't wanna harrass you about starching but I think it's important that we all do what we can to save this planet.

[ina]

WOW! The difference between the 2 blocks is amazing! Where do you do the actual spraying of the starch bc you must have a lot of over spray of the starch? Somewhere in your yard maybe?

[Vicki]

I am so glad you did a post about starching before you sew! It is life-changing!! Ever since Carrie Nelson wrote her "Size Matters" post in Moda Fabrics' blog in March 2015, I have been starching, and getting great results just like yours! I've recently discovered Terial Magic, and even though it's very stiff, I find it easier to use. It's environmentally safe, too. I spray over a plastic tub, and am able to use every last drop. Thanks so much for your wonderful and inspiring blog!

[Anita]

Wow! Isn't it a bummer to look back at your blocks and realize you almost need to redo the whole thing. What will you do with your old blocks? I feel like I can't get rid of my old ones, but can't bear to rip them apart.