Starching

[odekiisu]

So I had to wash and starch my petticoats after wearing them on new year's eve, and I learned 3 things:

1. Starched petticoats repel dirt better than unstarched ones. Never go out in a floor-length, unstarched white petticoat. You will regret it.
2. Let the starch cool before using. No, you don't need to make that much of it. Resist the urge to test its temperature with your fingers, because that way lies Pain.
3. Similarly, let the petticoats dry almost completely before pressing. Dampen them if you have to. Just. Don't press them if they're too wet. It will take a ridiculous amount of time.

Also, using full-strength (or almost full-strength) starch will result in the petticoat being able to stand up by itself, like this:



Recipe for starch, taken from here and converted into real people units metric:

Heavy starch: Mix 125 ml of starch with 250 ml of cold water. Gradually stir in 2 l of water. Bring to boil while stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute mine didn't want to boil because I made too much of it, but it still worked. Basically it has to be about the consistency and transparency of liquid glue.
Medium starch: dilute heavy starch with 2 l water
Light starch: dilute heavy starch with 4 l water


Dip wet petticoats into starch. Gently wring out the excess. Let dry. Dampen. Press.