Is there a way to make sizing? It seems it was posted at one time but I cannot locate the ingredients or process directions with search.

Are starch and sizing the same thing? I've found the thread about homemade starch here: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-53662-1.htm

Hope this helps.

Maybe this will help,

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-91248-1.htm

Thank you for your reply. Sizing and starch are different and sizing is more expensive although one board member mentioned that she was able to find it at a $ store. This has been discussed previously and I think the receipe was included in a starch thread. I do not find it now after searching but I will try again.

I have been wondering ....and plan on trying but just haven't gotten around to it.
But...if the elmer's school glue can be used for attaching quilt binding...applique...etc and washes out, why couldn't water be added to it in a squirt bottle? The only problem would be figuring out the proper measurements.
Maybe will give it a try today.

Okay....just gave it a try. :thumbup:
It worked great no scorching or flaking with the iron. The fabric is flexible...yet crisp.

I just did a bing search for clear elmer's school glue and there is one available. The recipe that I made has a white cast to it. I suppose if you wanted it to be clear....use the clear glue.

My recipe:
1Tbs. Elmer's School Glue
3 C. Warm Water

I suppose if you wanted a heavier recipe just add a little more glue. You can also add the essential oils that others have suggested. Also...don't know if you would have to store in the fridge. Will keep it out for a few days and see what happens.

Thanks for the recipe. There is a Niagra spray starch that does not flake, and in a non-aerosol trigger sprayer. It's all I use now, and it's really inexpensive. Even on black fabrics it does not show a single flake.

Thanks Sounds a lot easier than cooking homemade starch from cornstarch.

I'm a regular at our local Dollar Tree...I found sizing there for $1 (of course) and bought 3 cans; another amazing find there is Reynolds alum foil individual pieces, 25/$1.00. Also I buy all my "ziplock" bags there, sometimes I find the 2 gallon size which are great for projects.

Don't know the difference in sizing or starch; just have read that sizing is preferred on quilting projects....

Just had a flashback to childhood....remember my grandmother making Niagara starch on the stove....guess she dissolved powdered/cake starch in water ? Think she would actually dip the clothes in the starch water and hang them out to dry. When she got them in they were stiff as boards and she would then sprinkle them down, and put them in the refrigerator, although she called it an "ice box" ! My MIL used to starch and iron bed clothes and pillow cases; just what I want to do is to go to sleep on a starched pillow case ! Too, my MIL's family used to go to church camp every summer in Perry, MS and she told stories about having to wear the starched ironed clothes to two services each day and sleep in unairconditioned "tents"......which were really shack like homes on the camp grounds....glad I'm a softie!

My Gran used to make a sugar/ water starch, I believe..perhaps she used corn starch too? I still have the old RC bottle with the sprinkler cork they used to have back in the day. Brings back so many memories and I will never let it go :)

I found this on http://www.americandrycleaner.com
Q: What’s the difference between starch and sizing? Can spray starch be used in place of sizing?

A: Starch is used to stiffen fabrics such as shirt collars and cuffs, while sizing is used to add body, “crispness” and “hand” to garments. Starch is vegetable-based (it’s formulated from wheat, corn or rice), while sizing is a resinous solution that can be either vegetable- or plastic-based.

Because starch doesn’t satisfactorily adhere to thermoplastic fibers such as polyester, manufacturers often blend a plastic-based sizing agent and vegetable-based starch to impart stiffness to the synthetic fibers.

Starch and sizing alike can be added during the wetcleaning or drycleaning process, or they can be sprayed onto garments during the finishing process.

When starch is applied in place of sizing, the garment can become overly stiff, crease easily and wrinkle before and during wear. Because sizing adds body to fabric, it makes garments easier to finish, reduces wrinkling during wear, and keeps pleats and creases sharp.

Thank you for this idea. I tried the Elmer's Glue recipe and the fabric was just right. The portion unused was put into the refrigerator and I washed the sprayer well.

Niagra starch does a nice job but in a sprayer it makes my eyes itch a lot. Doubt that would be a problem if I made it from scratch.

Thank you all for the ideas.

oh yes it will...just spray a little too heavy and watch the flakes..BUT they all brush off really easily!

I hate the Niagra sprayer..goes out all over..I poured into a mist sprayer bought at the beauty supply house! I also diluted it a bit so the smell was not so strong..has not hurt its ability to work at all...

Thanks Nadine, for this info......I've always wondered about the difference, or whether there was any, between the 2 products! I just never thought to look it up.........and I'm ALWAYS looking things up -- ---

I see a recipe for sizing has been posted already, so I'll just add trivia:

Here's another "remember when" for using starch...

Remember when nurses wore white caps, each different to identify their school of nursing?
The best way I knew to press my cap flat to dry after washing & starching was to smooth it over a clean refrigerator door. Then when it was dry, I'd peel it off the fridge & fold it into the cap shape.

Use heavy, old - fashioned starch - not the spray on variety.

In May there was a discussion on Mary Ellen's Best. Do a search and you will find the thread which contains several options for making it.

It was so nice taking a trip down "Memory Lane" with you! I love to hear stories like that.
My grandmother also did a lot of starching. I can still hear the squeeky ironing board as she or my mother ironed the heck out of the clothers. Those times! I love to think how we used to live day to day, the routine of it all makes me feel like such a softie, too.

Our family used an old ketchup bottle with a cork and aluminum sprinkler plug. Squeek, squeek, went the ironing board as they ironed the Beejeezus out of the clothes!!!

My hubby works at the plant that makes StaFlo starch, all it is is corn starch and distilled water, of course they add color and scent. And yes I get the freebies when they do quality control. I add it to a spray bottle with some water and use. Just shake it before using.

I too use Niagra and dilute it - 50/50 with water. works great

Lavender Linen Starch
Dissolve 1 tablespoon cornstarch in 1 pint cold water. Add 6 drops of lavender (or any other) essential oil. Place in a spray bottle. Shake before using.

tipnut is a great place for homemade recipes for laundry!

http://tipnut.com/scented-bedding/

I use liquid starch diluted with water - works great and is VERY inexpensive and simple to make.

Aurora:
Thank you for this suggestion. I searched Mary Ellen's Best and found information on sizing as well as the recipe.

1/4 cup vodka
2 cups distilled water
Lavender essential oil in varying amounts.

I plan to cut pieces for a couple of scrap quilts and put into kits until winter for sewing the blocks. Did not want to use starch because of the bug question in case putting together goes past next winter.

Omygod...an new way to drink vodka...just spray it in your mouth. IPO the water I will add a little orange juice. Man...I will be a happy quilting camper.

:thumbup:

This is the same as Best Press.

1/3 vodka(cheaper the better)
2/3 Water

shake before using.

Thanks for all the great ideas!! I'll have to check out our Dollar Tree store next time I go for some home homemade sizing.

Yesterday I found one can at our Dollar Tree in the laundry section. It is aeroso and the name on the can is Perfect Sizing. At $1.00 it was a better price than our grocery. I did not check our other $1 stores

Where do you get "essential oil"?

Try a candle/soap making section at your local craft store.

Thanks.

My mother and I both used the cook kind of starch. Argo is a brand name. You started a pan of water boiling then mixed your starch with cold water and slowly added it to the pan and there it was. You could use it full strength on shirt cuffs or diluted it for skirts,shirts, pants & blouses. My mother 'let' me iron the sheets & pillowcases but she didn't starch them.

Isn't that funny how are parents would always "let" us do something. :D
My Dad would always ask me to make popcorn...he would tell me I was the best popcorn maker in the world. Now it's like...right Dad....how many in the places in the world have you eaten popcorn. It made me feel so good though when I was little. I couldn't get to the kitchen fast enough to make his popcorn. Still to this day...I think of my Dad when I make a bowl of popcorn. :lol: