I’ve mainly use Sizing on appliqué pieces. But just last week I had 2 different customers, each place
a special order with me for a gallon of Mary Ellen’s Best Press. There are a few other products on the market too,
Magic Sizing and Niagara Sizing Fabric Finish Spray, and even a few recipes to
make your own (see below).
What am I
missing? Just what’s the what about Sizing anyway??
Here is what I found out; in manufacturing it’s used both during the fabric
weaving process and the fabric finishing process.
It’s used during the weaving process because of the structure of most
textile threads, and especially those of cotton fiber, need some kind of
treatment to help them withstand the tensile stain and abrasive action of the
moving parts of the weaving loom.
Sizing is used in the finishing process to enhance tones of color, texture, and add softness when handled. So when we purchase new fabric it usually has a firm body and a smooth looking finish.If you are a pre-washer like me, my guess is we are removing some or all of our fabric’s Sizing during washing. Now those spray Sizing products make sense! We can make our washed fabric look and feel like new again by using a spray Sizing before ironing. Spray Sizing also makes ironing easier as it will give your fabric a nice crisp feel without the stiff feeling of starch.
Homemade spray starch recipe
Dissolve 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon cornstarch (depending on amount of
stiffness you want) in a few tablespoons of cold water in a heat proof 2-cup
measuring container. Add boiling water to make one cup, stirring constantly.
Then add cold water to the 2 cup line. Let cool and use in a spray bottle. Shake it every time you spray. You may have to dilute it a little if it is
too thick or builds up white flakes. Discard
after a week or so and make a new batch.
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