Blocking and Stiffening Finished Handmade Projects

Dear users, dear authors,
Are there any tips on blocking and, above all, stiffening finished handmade projects?

Hi,
I got this tip last year from a friend (who got it from her mother).
Mix 1 tablespoon of starch with a little cold water and dissolve it in 1 liter of boiling water (adjust the ratio to 1:1 for larger pieces!) Let the liquid cool slightly (until lukewarm, depending on the material),
soak the blanket or similar item in it, squeeze out the excess water (this works well between a rolled-up bath towel), then gently smooth it out on stretching mats (or, to test, on Styrofoam sheets) (don’t stretch it excessively!!) Pin it down with straight pins or T-pins and let it dry. 

I’ll have to keep that in mind. Some lace doilies just look so much better when they’re starched. 

So far, I’ve always used spray starch and have had good results with it. I’ll give the tip about the starch solution a try.

Is starched clothing uncomfortable against the skin? As far as I know, shirt collars are starched too, right?

Well, I actually prefer it unstiffened. But it does look better that way.
I really only use starch for decorative pieces.

I once read that steaming with an iron is also sufficient?

Hi,
I only starch table runners and similar items.
I’d rather not do it with clothing.
When steaming, the pattern might get “flattened out,” and if I starch it and then let it dry, the tablecloth keeps its shape even if I move it around a bit—which isn’t the case if I “just steam” it 🤔