

And since I’ve now written a preamble worthy of a three-star food blogger, here’s the recipe: DIY Spray Starch Recipe You might not want to starch fabric and then store it, as it might attract hungry pests.Īll that being said, if you’re quilting in times of quarantine, DIY starch might be better than nothing.You have to be careful not to scorch it with your iron.It can leave white flakes on darker fabrics, though these will wash off.You have to keep it refrigerated, and it only lasts about 2 weeks.While DIY starch does an excellent job at stiffening fabric, you should be aware of some potential issues with it: I buy it wholesale by the gallon and refill my smaller spray bottles to my heart’s content. I’ve since moved on to using Mary Ellen’s Best Press, a starch alternative. I liked the thriftiness and simplicity of using a staple from my kitchen, rather than buying an expensive, single purpose product. When I first started quilting, the best piece of advice I was given was to use starch, and the recipe I was given was similar to this one. It’s really a game changer in terms of getting accurate piecing for your quilt top. Spray starch gives your quilt fabric a little bit of stiffness (or a lot, depending on how liberally you spray it) that helps your fabric behave a bit more like paper. If you’ve read any of my quilt patterns, you will have seen the recommendation to starch and press your fabric before cutting, in order to avoid distortion while cutting and piecing. In honour of the DIY renaissance, I figured I would share with you this handy recipe for making your own spray starch using two simple ingredients from your pantry! Ok, technically only one is in your pantry, unless you have a very fancy pantry with running water. (Now that spring has almost arrived, I’m looking forward to putting violets in mine! ) Some of us have loads of time on our hands and are taking the DIY lifestyle to a whole other level: creating elaborate villages out of sourdough, exploring our inner hairdresser, and crafting artisanal toilet paper out of dryer lint. Since this homemade spray starch recipe doesn’t have any preservatives, it’s probably best to only prepare enough for one quilt at a time.Since we’re living in “unprecedented times,” many of us are having to make do with what’s in our pantry. This is especially important if you’re not going to be using the spray starch for a while. To prevent this from happening, turn your bottle upside down and spray until nothing comes out when you’re done using it. Some people report that homemade spray starch can clog the nozzle of your spray bottle. I like the bottles that have a continuous spray. An ultra-fine mister bottle works really well. Pour your DIY starch spray into a spray bottle and it’s good to use. Peppermint oil is a good option because it has natural bug-repellent properties. Let your fabric starch cool and then add some essential oils. Then, turn on the heat and bring the starch solution to a boil. This DIY fabric starch spray only requires two ingredients!ĭirections: In a small pot, mix the cornstarch into your water and let it dissolve well. They act as preservatives, but I don’t like to use them. Many homemade spray starch recipes call for things like rubbing alcohol or vodka. It works just as well as store-bought spray starch. If you’re looking to save money, or you’re worried about introducing chemicals to your family, I have an easy homemade spray starch recipe for you to try. Spray starch residue stays on your quilt for a long time, even after washing. Of course, there are other reasons to not use store-bought fabric starch… A lot of it contains synthetic chemicals that may or may not be harmful. You can easily use 16-32 ounces on one quilt! If you do a lot of quilting, it may be worth your time to make some DIY spray starch at home. If you do a lot of quilting, spray starch can get expensive fast. Mary Ellen’s Best Press seems to be a favorite amongst quilters. You can find spray starch readily in quilt shops or in the laundry aisle at your supermarket. Quilters often use it on cotton before cutting out their pieces because the stiff fabric is easier to work with. Spray starch is a liquid solution that stiffens fabric. I earn a small commission when you click a link and make a purchase. Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
