Think of the difference between working with tissue paper and working with construction paper. It is much easier to cut something from construction paper than it is from a tissue paper. That is exactly the difference between starch and sizing.
Starch vs Sizing
Firstly, starch and sizing are very similar, however, are not interchangeable. Commercial spray starch in a quilters spray misting bottle is made from a grain which is either wheat, rice or corn. It is basically used to add stiffness to the fabric which is very helpful when you have to prepare the fabric for cutting and piecing. It will help to make your cuts more accurate and it will also be easier to sew and match seams. It also helps to hold a crease in place in the perfect manner.
Here’s why you must use spray starch:
- Helps to stabilize the grains of the fabric
- Adds stiffness to the fabric
- Happens to allow for more control when cutting and piecing
- Helps to maintain better accuracy
- Helps the seams to stay pressed in the direction you want them
- Also, makes the machine quilting process smoother and easier
On the other hand, sizing is a very plastic-based solution that allows itself to adhere to synthetic fibers. It is extensively used in the garment industry in order to add body to the fabric without becoming too stiff. Sizing does not even leave much residue on the iron or pressing surface and does not flake like starch does. It also helps to reduce wrinkling during wear. Most of the fabric on the bolt is treated with sizing at some or the other point during the manufacturing process. If you want your fabric to be wrinkle free without being too stiff, sizing is the right thing for you to do.
Nowadays, a product known as best press is becoming popular among quilters as a spray starch alternative. It is more similar to sizing than starch when it comes to its stiffness ability.
Make sure you understand the consequences of all three of them before using them on your fabric.
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