Using spray starch can be a valuable tool for quilters, enhancing the overall quilting process and contributing to the finished product’s professional appearance.
Depending on how you use spraying starch, you can control your fabric a little bit better. Stretch and bias can be controlled better with spray starch.
While there are different ways to use the starch, feel free to explore new ways and techniques – finding just the right fit for you and what you are trying to achieve with the spray starch.

5 reasons why a quilter might need spray starch, how it helps, and things to avoid when using it:
- Enhanced Fabric Stability: Quilters often deal with various fabrics of different weights and textures. Spray starch provides an effective way to stabilize fabrics, making them easier to work with during the cutting and piecing stages of quilting. The added stiffness from the starch helps prevent stretching and distortion, ensuring more precise and accurate seams.
- Achieving Crisp Seams: One of the key benefits of using spray starch is the ability to achieve crisp and well-defined seams. Quilters can spray starch on fabric before pressing, resulting in a sharp and polished look to their quilt blocks. This is especially useful when working with intricate patterns or small pieces that require precision.
- Reducing Fraying: Fabrics, especially those with looser weaves, can be prone to fraying. Spray starch helps minimize fraying by fortifying the fabric fibers. This is particularly beneficial when dealing with bias edges, where fraying is more common. Quilters can enjoy cleaner edges and a neater overall appearance for their quilting projects.
- Effective Wrinkle Removal: Spray starch serves as an effective wrinkle remover, ensuring that fabrics are smooth and free of creases. This is crucial for achieving a polished look in quilts, especially when dealing with larger quilt tops. Wrinkle-free fabric allows for easier quilting and ensures that the final product maintains its desired shape.
- Ease of Cutting and Marking: Starched fabric is easier to cut accurately, as the added stiffness helps prevent the fabric from shifting or distorting during the cutting process. Additionally, starched fabric provides a smoother surface for marking quilting lines, making it easier for quilters to transfer patterns and achieve precise stitching.

Things to Avoid: While spray starch can be a valuable tool, quilters should exercise caution to avoid potential issues.
Over-application of starch can lead to a stiff and crunchy feel in the fabric, diminishing the softness of the quilt.
It’s essential to follow the product instructions and use starch sparingly to achieve the desired level of stiffness without compromising the fabric’s overall feel.
You may find that a spray starch the builds with each spray like Magic is a great one to start with.
Ingredients in Spray Starch: The ingredients in spray starch can vary between brands, but common components include water, a starch base (often derived from corn or wheat), and additional stabilizers or conditioners.
Some products may also contain fragrances for a pleasant scent. It’s advisable for quilters to choose a spray starch with minimal additives to ensure compatibility with various fabric types and to reduce the risk of any unwanted reactions during the quilting process.

How do you make homemade starch or liquid starch for quilting?
Recipe:
3 oz. Vodka
24 oz. distilled water
1) mix 24 oz distilled water with 3 oz Vodka
2) blend well
3) pour into spray bottles
Read more on making your own spray starch here
Spray Starches to try

What is a substitute for spraying starch?
If you don’t have spray starch on hand or prefer a natural alternative, there are several substitutes you can use to achieve similar effects in quilting and sewing:
- Cornstarch Solution: Create a starch solution by mixing cornstarch with water. Boil a mixture of 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 cups of water until it thickens. Allow it to cool before transferring it to a spray bottle. This homemade starch can be sprayed on fabric to provide stiffness and stability.
- Vinegar and Water Mixture: Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water to create a solution that can be sprayed on fabric. This mixture acts as a fabric softener while also providing some level of stabilization. It is a good option for those who want a more natural alternative.
- Gelatin Solution: Dissolve unflavored gelatin in warm water according to the package instructions. Allow it to cool and transfer it to a spray bottle. This homemade solution can be sprayed on fabric to achieve stiffness and stabilization.
- Commercial Fabric Sizing: Fabric sizing products, available in liquid or powder form, serve a similar purpose to spray starch. They provide fabric with stability and crispness during the sewing process. Follow the instructions on the sizing product for application.
- Best Press or Starch Alternative Products: Some commercial products on the market are formulated as alternatives to traditional spray starch. Brands like “Best Press” offer a clear, non-starch alternative that adds stability to fabric without leaving a residue. These products often come in various scents and can be sprayed directly onto fabric.
- Hair Spray: Unscented, clear hair spray can be used as a makeshift substitute for spray starch. Lightly mist it onto the fabric and press as usual. However, be cautious as some hair sprays may contain additional ingredients that could affect the fabric.
Before using any substitute, it’s advisable to test it on a small fabric swatch to ensure compatibility and the desired level of stiffness. Additionally, consider the specific requirements of your quilting project and adjust the application accordingly.
Homemade Spray Starch Video
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can you use spray starch for quilting?
Yes! Most definitely. It will help you control the fabric, avoid stretch, bubbles and ripples in the fabric and more.
Should fabric be starched before quilting?
This is really preference of each quilter. Some starch before cutting the fabric, some starch along the way and during each step in the sewing process.
How and when do you starch?
You can starch after you unfold your fabric. You can starch after you wash your fabric (if you wash it). You can starch after each step of sewing the quilt blocks, rows and tops together.
What does spray starch do?
It is a spray with ingredients that give fabric or whatever you spray a stiffer feel. It helps remove and keep the wrinkles away. It’s great for
Does spray starch attract bugs?
It can. Spray starch is one way to get crisp fabric, but it also turns your clothing into a tasty treat for insects like silverfish.
Does spray starch damage fabric?
You do have to be aware of the amount of starch you use. It can build up and other than give you issues with bogging down your machine and needle, it could possibly cause issues if not washed out when you are done.
Can you use starch without an iron?
You can use spray starch to add protection to fibers when you are using a clothes steamer to remove wrinkles. However, there will be no stiffness or crispness added to the fabric.
Here are more ironing helps-
Spray Starch info
Homemade Spray Starch cheaper than store bought!
Mini Iron Travel Bag Tutorial just in case you travel with your mini!
Make your own portable iron station
Iron or Press? Which one is right for your project?
More Ironing board stations inspiration

Becky Jorgensen is the creative quilter behind Patchwork Posse, the Patchwork Planner and her online quilt group Patchworkers Plus. You can find her patterns in books, magazines, and her quilt membership. Gather your quilting supplies, organize your sewing space, explore the process of disappearing quilt blocks, or finish a free quilt pattern. I'll help you use what you have, finish what you start and make your quilting journey fun!
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