I love using spray starch to prepare my fabric for patchwork because of the body and crispness it gives the fabric.
I first pre-wash all fabrics before using them in a quilt. After I wash my fabric in cold water (speed cycle – little detergent), I dry it in the clothes dryer on regular heat (no softener), but only to the “damp” auto-dry setting. At this stage, I use spray starch on the mostly dry fabric and then use a hot iron to press out all the wrinkles.
I usually have one can of the store-bought spray starch around, but I mostly make and use my own spray starch.
Here’s how:
Measure about a teaspoon of corn starch and put it into a large liquid measuring cup.
Add a little bit of water – just enough to dissolve the corn starch and blend to a smooth mixture.
Using another large liquid measuring cup, microwave anywhere between 1 & 2 cups of water on high for a few minutes or until boiling.
Add hot water to the corn starch mixture and stir. Corn starch should be fully dissolved with no clumps.
Let this mixture cool and then pour into a large spray bottle, you may add up to a cup of cool tap water to further dilute.
Since there are no preservatives in this mixture, you may have to remake every few weeks or so. The nice things about making your own spray starch: 1) it’s very inexpensive and 2) you can adjust the lightness/heaviness of starch to your personal preference by adding more or less water.
Duh me, I never thought about making my own starch so thanks for the tip!
Back in the dark ages,before automatic washers, we did the same. We used corn starch with water, cooked it much like a pudding, until it got as thick as we wanted, we did just like you do, we thinned it as necessary. But we didn’t spray it, we made the solution, then dipped the article in it, then ran it through the washing machine wringer before hanging things out on the line.
I might try this myself, because I still like some things starched, like pillow cases.
I buy the aerosol can and it usually clogs up before it is empty.
WOW Jessie… i’ve learned so much new today from you. I’ve never used starch before quilting a quilt, so will have to try that one day.. first you have to get that quilt to the quliting stage and i’m far from that happening anytime soon (i still don’t know where you find the time to quilt ) and i’ve never seen a ‘recipe’ for making your own starch. so will have to try that also..and will have to try that with my tatting!!! THANKS for the quilting lesson!! :)
i would really like to make spray starch on commercial purpose, so i would like to know how i can? i have no idea of how and where corn starch can be gotten. for commercial use, it means some preservatives will be added to the starch mixture, so how do i get preservatives and what quantity will be needed in a particular spray container.
Please i will really love to get a feed back from you soon.
Thank you for your time.
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