While cutting out the 1700 hexagons for my mother, I had to do a fair bit of ironing. As these were vintage fabrics, many required some sort of starch and I finally emptied the can, which necessitated a trip to the store. I was relieved to find that the store still carried one or two brands.

This in turn prompted that age old vexation to rear its ugly head- what exactly is the difference between sizing and starch. I could see no difference by reading the directions on the cans. So I came home and Goggled it. The following is lifted verbatim from the website for Faultless/BonAmi website:

http://www.faultless-starch.com/ironing.htm

Q: What's the difference between spray starches and sizings?
A: Sizing was developed for synthetics and fabric blends. It restores the original body to fabrics without stiffness and can be used on natural fabrics for a light finish. Regular starch gives more body than sizing and can be used on natural fabrics and blends that have a higher natural fiber contents.
Heavy starch gives more body and crispness- ideal for linens, jeans, and 100 percent cotton garments. Lemon starch gives a fresh, lemon scent while ironing, but quickly dissipates after ironing. Spray starch and sizing should not be used on items labeled dry clean only.
According to Judy Woolfolk, certified home economist for the Faultless Starch/Bon Ami Company, it is safe to use sizing or spray starch as long as a garment is labeled "machine washable."
Garments labeled "dry clean only" usually water spot. All sizing and spray starches are water-based products so spotting is possible
When deciding what product to use, you may want to remember that sizing restores original body to synthetics and blended fabrics without stiffness.
Regular starch can give more body than sizing and can be used on natural fabrics and blends that have a higher content of natural fiber.
Heavy starch gives more body and crispness and it is ideal for washable linens, jeans and 100 percent cotton.

As near as I can tell, there isn't any real difference- the fiber content of the material/garment itself determines which is appropriate. So what is up with the women I see demonstrating on the quilting programs who insist that you have to use one over the other? This is what makes me suspicious of "experts"- do they really know what they are talking about? Wish there was a "Mythbusters" for quilting to disspell all the misinformation out there.

Meg, the problem as far as Alex Anderson states is that the results on Sizing is not known yet as to the effect it will have on 100% cotton fabrics. That's why she says she doesn't use it.
Personally all quilts I make are for use now and the sizing thing doesn't bother me as I don't want a heavy application of starch.

So what I conclude is you have to consider whether you want to be sure what you use doesn't damage fabric for longevity! And who knows for certain about any of them? lol

Betty

Hmmm..... that is a very thought-provoking comment Betty, about the long term effects of sizing. And yet, it is on her show that I have seen quilters insist that sizing should be used. Curious, isn't it?

You know, I didn't read the ingredient lists on the cans. The application is identical according to the directions. Is there that much difference in what's in them?

So now, doesn't that beg the obvious question to pre-wash or not to pre-wash. If the the sizing for home application has the potential for damaging fabric, wouldn't the commercial application applied in the factory be just as much of, if not more, concern?

I have never seen any research, don't even know who would be likely to be conducting any. Do you have any sources? I would like to know more.

Meg, all of that is interesting reading. I don't know what the long term effects are either for using sizing but I am one that uses it all the time! LOL! I like how it makes my blocks look and feel after using it. To me it gives body to a block.
On the pre-washing, Just the other day on a quilt program on a Saturday morning, I had taped it, and a lady on there was using a Rowenta iron and she said, ( I nearly croaked!) LOL but she said Quote, It is not necessary to prewash, if you will use good fabric, and if you will press your fabric with a good iron and use steam! Have you heard of this? It was a first for me. I am sticking with the pre-washing.

See, Dorene, this is exactly why I think there needs to be some textile mythbusters! There is too mcu conflicting information out there! LOL When experienced quilters like you and Betty and I can't make heads or tails from what the "experts" say, just think how confusing it must be to the novices among us! I'll bet that comment was like a jolt of strong coffee that early in the morning! LOL

Did she explain how she came to this conclusion? I can't figure out how she justifies using a steam iron to replace pre-washing. Does she think a high quality cotton is guaranteed to be color-fast and shrink-free? If that is the basis of her theory, what is the point of steam-pressing? I am with you, I will stick to pre-washing! LOL

I have never used sizing at home, because quite frankly, I didn't understand the difference between the two products. From the reading I did, I understood that sizing could be used on natural fibers such as the way you and Betty use it, but that starch should not be used on synthetics.

This is definitely a question that needs further investigation. I am not sure where to find the reseach, but I am going to start by reading the labels on both cans more closely next time I go to the store.

Now you can also buy a liquid spray starch that has a wonderful smell. I can't remember the name of it, but they have it at Hancock's. I think I will try it just for curiosity.
Vicky

Oknana, I've heard some say it too but I'm not listening to them!lol I'll pre-wash and use my Magic Sizing! lol Makes life so much easier!

Betty

Meg,most of these teachers don't ever wash their quilts or wallhangings! That's why they get by with it. I remember Alex Anderson saying once she took a chance and didn't pre-wash and boy was she sorry. Her quilt was damaged forever and there was nothing she could do about the colors that ran! I'm sorry but my time, effort and finances can't take that chance!

Betty

I agree with you 100%, Betty! Why take the chance? Don't you agree that teachers and "experts" have an obligation to share "best practices"? That's what upsets me. They give such conflicting information, and I don't think they always know the answer. What's wrong with saying "I don't know"?

After sewing hundreds of triangles together to make octogon blocks, I feel like I have done more seam pressing than sewing! But, hubby bought me a new ironing board cover before I started this project and it is already turning brown from all the pressing with sizing! Now am I setting my iron too high or does the sizing just do this after multiple pressings? Of course, I keep using the same spot over and over. It's even on the iron. Any suggestions on how to clean it off? I hate to start this debate over again but I really just noticed it this weekend after this top is nearly finished.