How to make cloth stiff? Starch, sizing, or other???

for a secret project, I need to learn how to make finished cloth behave stiffly.

The goal is to find natural recipes (recipes that don't bother me with toxins) that I can make at home.  

I see the word 'starching' used, but some of the recipes don't seem to have any starch in them.  

Anyway, I'll be postin more as I learn and if you know anything about making fabric less floppy, please share.  

It's probably not what you want but there is that iron on stuff every dressmaker uses.

Angelika Maier wrote:It's probably not what you want but there is that iron on stuff every dressmaker uses.

I need to reproduce mid 19th century methods.   a bit before iron on.

also, I'm looking more in the area of laundry,  or something applied AFTER the garment is finished.

here are some recipes using common kitchen starch
http://www.sewhistorically.com/how-to-starch-a-victorian-cotton-petticoat/