Starching Hemp

[seanachie]

Anyone had any experience using starch on a hemp kilt. I have 2 pleats nearly at the corner of each side that have a tendency to wrinkle a good deal. I was contemplating trying to starch them but wanted to check that it was not a bad idea, for reason (s) I am not aware of.

[Chas]

Hi seanachie,

I have no basis for saying this and certainly no experience, but I do not think it is a good idea. Starched, to my mind means stiff. Surely, you want the fabric to move, well, like fabric rather than like cardboard?

Regards

Chas

[Lyle1]

Starch might make the material too stiff, and you might get quite prominent wrinkles that will not fall/hang out. What about using sizing? I think it adds body to fabric without adding stiffness; spray starch, which is much lighter than normal starch, might also be a reasonable alternative.

[Gryphon57]

*** on the sizing suggestion. I've not tried it on a hemp kilt, but I've used it on many cotton fabrics that needed a "crisp" look without becoming as firm as cardboard.

[seanachie]

I greatly appreciate the suggestion made here, thank you.
Much better to seek the collective knowledge of the knowledgeable
folks here than make a dumb mistake.