juliagraves Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 I used the starch and steam method on a quilt with some really full borders, and the quilt really smells strongly of starch. The fabrics have been prewashed. Should I wash the quilt to get rid of the smell? I'm concerned that the borders will go back to being extra full again. Advice appreciated! Julia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 Alexa Anderson always says starch will attract silver fish....I think I would wash it out...but that's just me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susanne.Hughes Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 Hello Julia, I would wash as well. Over here in the moist, humid and wet area I live in all kinds of things will grow really well, a lot of them not so good for lovely quilts, linen, paper, leather etc etc. Mary Beth is correct (as is Alexa Anderson) Silverfish, moths etc are attracted to the starch. That's why you pre-wash fabrics but you do not store them ironed with starch. As far as the borders of your quilt are concerned, you should find, that once you have quilted them, the fullness should not return. We need Bonnie here to put our minds at rest. The idea of the steam and starch method is to correct the cutting/piecing/ironing mistakes whilst the quilt was constructed. Once the fabric is secured by the quilting, it should not stretch out again. (Bonnie?!! Do I get good marks with my answer??) Regards, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boni Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 I'm not Bonnie Botts, but I concur with Susanne. Once it's quilted, it's set. No worry about going back to fullness at all. If you are afraid it will wave again, you could lay it flat, block it and let it air dry. I did that to a wall hanging and it turned out just fine. I used a lot of starch too. I gently folded it and put it in the bathtub with cold water just to wash out the starch. Put it in the washer with lots of thick towels on a spin cycle just to spin the water out. Then laid it flat, patted it in to shape, and put a fan on it to dry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoleneK Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 Julia, is this quilt yours or a customers? I wouldn't wash a customers without their consent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boni Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 Sorry, that was my quilt, not a customer's quilt. I agree with Jolene--don't do it to a customer quilt without asking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliagraves Posted April 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 Yes, it is a customer quilt. I used the starch primarily in the borders, so I'm thinking of just gently rinsing out the borders where it was the worst. I like the idea of laying it flat and blocking it so that it dries flat. Thanks for the ideas! Julia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 I use the scented starch (lavender is my fav). I wash my own quilts but if it's a customer quilt I inform them of the starch and let them make the choice on wash or no wash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollyc Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 I would think that once you have conquered the borders with starch and steam, they cannot move back to an uncontrolled mode. I would wash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted April 16, 2009 Report Share Posted April 16, 2009 I agree with Connie....I would let the customer know then they can wash the quilt.....not me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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