Starch shrinkage

While video taping a project which includes handling the piece a lot, I had the idea that starching first might slow the fray and keep the pieces "pristine" longer. I expected that starching would shrink my fabric, and it did. I lost about an inch off the original 22" width. That would still work with my project.

At first glance it looked like I didn't lose any of the 18" height. But the skew to the fabric surprised me. To make these edges perpendicular to the selvage, I will lose about half an inch on both top and bottom.

Maybe no moral to the story other than to know what you're working with -- will a 21" x 17" fat quarter work with your pattern.