I've been using my own starch made from cornstarch and water for about seven years now after reading about it on Diane Gaudynski's site. I love it! So very inexpensive, no additives or junk to mess up the environment (or my lungs) and I can make it as stiff as I choose for the project I'm working on at the time. (Lots of bias edges gets lots of starch prior to cutting.)
So yeah, I guess nothing new under the sun to use this formula, but I love how this stuff always comes back around again!
Oh, my version of this is to dissolve 1 - 2 teaspoons of cornstarch in a bit of cool water, then add 1 cup boiling water, stir to thoroughly dissolve then add 1 cup cool water. Once cool enough to handle, I pour into a spritzer bottle and go quilt! I do give this a shake before each spritz and I pitch any that's left (which is rare) within the week. (No preservatives means it won't last much longer, but that is almost never a problem for me and even if I have to throw some away, no biggie, it only cost pennies and few minutes to make more.)