I love to sew, mainly quilts and bags. I am 66, married to Fred and have one son, Matthew, who is 27. I enjoy embroidery and applique and prefer to machine piece and quilt my projects. I love my vintage Singer sewing machines especially my Featherweight 222K. I’m enjoying treadling on my 201K Singer and I collect Miniature Sewing Machines and currently have three Essex , one Singer 20, one Singer 40, two Vulcan Miniatures and my latest, a Grain. My love of sewing I believe comes from my Grandmother - I still have the drawings she made for me to embroider on tea towels many many years ago!

Sunday, 4 August 2013

SPRAY STARCH IS MY FRIEND...

Batik Lesson 6

One of the best lessons I have learnt during this quilt-along....  use SPRAY STARCH !   I'm using CRISP.  Using starch allows you to join blocks with less pins and it keeps your individual units nice and flat and then the whole block sits nicely when all sewn together.  Spray starch keeps edges neater too!

This block did not give me any trouble apart from the purple fabric wanting to pucker when ironed!  It's 100% cotton so I have no idea why this would happen.  Batik fabrics are a very tight weave so maybe that has something to do with it!

I did a test today using the 45mm rotary cutter and then the 60mm rotary cutter with the June Tailor ruler and I must say I still prefer the 60mm cutter.  

Now we have one week to wait until the next block so I might re-make Blocks 1,2 and 3 in my Batik fabrics.  I was using another contrast fabric but I was running out of it so switched to the new contrast fabric.  I'll use the 'old' blocks for something else.

Happy Sewing!!
Helen

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9 comments :

  1. Unknown4 August 2013 at 21:51

    I have not tried spray starch on quilt blocks, but I can see how this would help with the tricky ones.

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  2. Needled Mom5 August 2013 at 00:00

    I always use spray sizing because people say that starch attracts bugs, but it is great stuff. Your block looks terrific.

    The 60mm blades are fabulous, aren't they?

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    1. Helen McNaught @ AuntyHennys5 August 2013 at 14:56

      Okay, now you've got me confused..... we only have spray starch over here (I think!) we have iron-aid but I think it's a starch too - anyone know? we can buy the Best Press here but it's from Quilt Shops and terribly expensive!

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  3. Maria5 August 2013 at 00:59

    No I haven't used spray starch either but it would be good to use..
    Love the Batik block. Enjoy re-making 1,2,& 3.
    Oh Helen I can't copy my Beautiful Virtual Quilt you made me. I would like to pop it on my side bar...

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    Replies
    1. Helen McNaught @ AuntyHennys5 August 2013 at 14:58

      Maria, have you tried dragging the photo into your photo program? anyway, I've sent it various ways via email and also popped it up on Facebook, have a go at that:-)

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  4. Valspierssews5 August 2013 at 13:55

    I have spray starch but I haven't used it yet. Perhaps I better get it out. I love the batiks.

    valspierssews@gmail.com

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  5. Pat7 August 2013 at 00:14

    Thanks for the reminder about starch - had gotten away from it for awhile & it makes a difference especially when working with small units. And I use the 60mm cutter alot - plus it is easier on my arthritis!
    Thanks for dropping by - have been looking for a Featherweight for awhile. My friend found hers at a garage sale a few years ago - complete and like new - $15 - the stuff of dreams!!!

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  6. Pat7 August 2013 at 00:15

    Thanks for the reminder about starch - had gotten away from it for awhile & it makes a difference especially when working with small units. And I use the 60mm cutter alot - plus it is easier on my arthritis!
    Thanks for dropping by - have been looking for a Featherweight for awhile. My friend found hers at a garage sale a few years ago - complete and like new - $15 - the stuff of dreams!!!

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  7. Diana @ Red Delicious Life11 August 2013 at 11:05

    I've also learned the beauty of using some sort of starch or sizing. I think there is a difference - the sizing doesn't make it as stiff as a starch. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the best press - it's such a shame that it's not more readily available over in Australia :(.

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