How to Make Quilter’s Moonshine (Liquid Starch)
Quilter’s Moonshine, also known as liquid starch, is SUPER easy to make, smells good, and is cheap. What quilter wouldn’t want that?
WHAT IS DIY FABRIC STARCH
Quilter’s Moonshine is a DIY spray starch. Spray starch helps your fabric to be crisper, more firm, and therefore more accurate when cutting and piecing.
I found a simple Quilter’s Moonshine recipe from this blog post. I will be the first to tell you that spray starch DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE when quilting. See THIS VIDEO for tips on starching your fabric.
WHEN TO USE LIQUID STARCH
I spray my fabric with starch at the beginning of any quilting project. Then I iron it, then cut it and sew. It’s not as helpful to spray and iron after cutting your fabric, as the starch helps to give a more accurate cut.
HOW TO MAKE MOONSHINE (THE QUILTING KIND)
To make Quilter’s Moonshine, or DIY Fabric Starch, you will need:
- 1 Gallon of Distilled Water
- ½ Cup liquid starch (like Sta-Flo)
- 1 Cup Vodka (The cheaper the better)
- Optional: A couple drops of your favorite essential oil for smell. My personal favorite is orange with peppermint
I saw and even EASIER version HERE:
- Mix one part vodka to two parts water in a glass spray bottle (I use 1/3 cup vodka and 2/3 cup water).
- Shake to combine.
PRINT THE ‘RECIPE’
Want a FREE Printable of the Quilters Moonshine? Click Photo to download, print, and save.
Version 1:
Version 2:
Be sure to check out my other free download printables HERE.
WHY USE STARCH WHEN QUILTING
When you are quilting, it’s important that your fabric cutting and piecing is accurate. Otherwise you end up with corners that don’t meet up, or wonky quilt tops. Starching fabric is one of my biggest secrets to getting a better, more accurate quilt top. Take a look at quilts I have made using starch.
Starch helped this ‘Cafe Tiles Quilt‘ to come together smoothly.
It was ONLY with starch that I was able to get my Half Square Triangles to be as accurate as they were for this ‘Better Together’ Quilt top.
Be sure to download your Quilter’s Moonshine recipe and start starching your fabric. You will be glad you did.
Sharon
I have read it needs to be potato based vodka
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[…] you like this tutorial, be sure to visit my other free tutorials, like this one on DIY Spray Starch. Not to mention using spray starch to make your quilt will help your points to […]
Anonymous
Hello! Yes, it can go bad if left too long. In general, if it darkens or begins to smell bad you should dispose of it and make a fresh batch. From what I know, homemade starch can last about 2-4 months. Hope this helps. Elizabeth
Anonymous
Does homemade fabric starch go .bad’ or it just the fermentation process smell? Is it okay to use??
Anonymous
Hi Jannell, Distilled water is what is recommended so there aren’t too many minerals or other things that could end up staining your fabrics later. You could always make a small test batch with your tap water to see how it works, but the consensus seems to be distilled is best.
Jannell
Do you have to use distilled water w/ the sta flo liquid starch..
Karen
I think if that ends up being a problem, the recipe could be halved. Custom it according to your needs….. would seem to be the most practical way to deal with that.
Patchwork Gingham Quilt Pattern and Tutorial - Quilt Wiki
[…] such as this tutorial, make sure to see my various other cost-free tutorials, such as this one onDIY Spray Starch And also utilizing spray starch to make your patchwork will certainly assist your indicate […]
Patchwork Gingham Quilt Pattern and Tutorial - My Hub List
[…] you like this tutorial, be sure to visit my other free tutorials, like this one on DIY Spray Starch. Not to mention using spray starch to make your quilt will help your points to […]
Patricia Gayle Augustine
is there anything you can use in place of the vodka?
Elizabeth Chappell
Patricia Gayle AugustineI’m not sure on any alternatives . . . I wish I knew of some!
Sewfun
Patricia Gayle AugustineVodka serves no purpose other than to dilute the starch even further. Sta Flo is concentrated. Adding water to the desired level of stiffness is all that is needed. Water is much cheaper than vodka too.
Free Downloadable 2021 Calendar -
[…] Quilters Moonshine ‘Recipe’ […]
Dianne ODonnell
How long does this keep? I made a batch and having used about half of it the remaining moonshine is turning brownish yellow. Still smells fine. Is it still good to use?
Elizabeth Chappell
Dianne ODonnellThat’s a great question! I actually don’t know the answer to that. I would try it out on fabric you don’t care about first – Is there such fabric? 😉 And see how it goes. Leave a follow up comment if you will. I’m currious!
Boneta
Why us there a picture of cornstarch ? None mentioned in recipe
CAROL L
BonetaMy question as well.
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[…] you like this tutorial, be sure to visit my other free tutorials, like this one on DIY Spray Starch. Not to mention using spray starch to make your quilt will help your points to […]
The secret to your BEST quilt: Why you need to starch your fabrics
[…] Since writing this original blog post, I found a DIY recipe for making your own liquid starch. It’s called Quilter’s Moonshine, and is on par with Best Press and Flatter, but is MUCH cheaper! You can also add your own essentail oils to give it whatever scent you want. Be sure to read all about that and get the free printable download HERE. […]
Janet Simper
I’m excited to try it