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Question about Starch

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Kathy Morgan

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Jan 8, 1997, 3:00:00 AM1/8/97
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I have a question about starch for the group. When I
was little, they hadn't yet invented spray starch, and I don't remember
seeing liquid starch in the stores, either. (Of course, maybe I just didn't
notice 'cause I hadn't yet learned to read?) Anyway, I think people mostly
just used powdered Niagra starch on their clothes. My question is, how do
you turn the powdered starch into liquid starch? What is the ratio of starch
to water? How long do you cook it--just until it turns clear, like you would
for gravy or sauces?

I don't know why, but I just have this perverse desire to try to make my own
liquid starch, and they don't put a recipe on the boxes any more.

Kathy

Jean Sands

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Jan 10, 1997, 3:00:00 AM1/10/97
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When I was in the military, we mixed it 3 parts water to 1 part starch.
On the civilian side I liked it 5 to 1.

Jean S

Katrina Worley

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Jan 20, 1997, 3:00:00 AM1/20/97
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In article <kmorgan-ya0236800...@news2.polarnet.com>,
kmo...@polarnet.com (Kathy Morgan) wrote:

> I have a question about starch for the group. When I
> was little, they hadn't yet invented spray starch, and I don't remember
> seeing liquid starch in the stores, either. (Of course, maybe I just didn't
> notice 'cause I hadn't yet learned to read?) Anyway, I think people mostly
> just used powdered Niagra starch on their clothes. My question is, how do
> you turn the powdered starch into liquid starch? What is the ratio of starch
> to water? How long do you cook it--just until it turns clear, like you would
> for gravy or sauces?
>
> I don't know why, but I just have this perverse desire to try to make my own
> liquid starch, and they don't put a recipe on the boxes any more.
>
> Kathy

You've got the idea- I use about 1/2 cup potato starch flour (I like the
potato starch better than the cornstarch- it has a better feel) in 2-3
cups water. My method is to mix the starch into a small amount of cold
water, and while stirring to keep it from settling out, add boiling
water. The boiling water will cook the starch and turn it transparent.
Dip the dry fabric in the starch once it has cooled enough, wring the
excess out and hang to dry. Spray with a fine mist and iron. Don't try
to iron until the starch is thoroughly dry, or it will stick to the bottom
of the iron. I work at a historic site in central California, and my
workclothes are 1840's period. I starch all my petticoats, tuckers and
cuffs this way. BTW- the petticoats are stiff enough to stand
alone-literally!!!

Katrina

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