At our sewing/quilting friends meeting, Mary had just taken a class from well known teacher who said make your own spray for giving body to your quilting pieces: 1/4 cup vodka (can be cheap, 2 cups distilled water, 8 to 10 drops of essential oil, your choice, I love lavendar, smells so fresh. Mix, put in spray bottle and ola - it works wonderful. Mary said teacher said ok to put in iron, but I just can't do it so for me spray bottle works great. Husband was little concerned when I asked for vodka - thought I was switching from my healthy glass of wine a day!!

interesting!

Oops, sorry friends, sent message twice - 1st time I have send to the main list - will try better

Yep. I use it also. We've been discussing this on other threads.

probably the same reason bakers will use vodka with metallic dusting spray. The vodka vaporizes off as it's sprayed with the dust so I'm thinking the heat of the iron burns off what little vodka there is and leaves the scented oil without the oil spots. cool...i may need to try this.

gives it enuf body to stand up and dance im sure lol

Where do you get the essence oil ?

Tell me the essential oil is not absolutely necessary. I am fearfully allergic to fragrances.

Been using this mix for years...Mark Lipinski brought this recipe to light a few years back in his Quilter's home magazine, I think the original recipe is still on his website!

get the Essential oil, not a fragrance oil...usually only found at a healthfood store in the massage section.

essential oil is NOT a fragrance, but the true oils from plants...it is also NOT necessary if you need it to be unscented!

Sounds like a good idea.

Will be mixing up a batch to try tomorrow!! Thanks for sharing.

You don't have to add any scent. The spray works well with just the vodka and water.

I make a spray that is similiar, but with less Vodka and I add some liquid starch.

Got an old bottle of citrus vodka in the freezer, can you use flavored vodka its already scented?

Just be careful. Alcohol can fade some fabrics! Ask me how I know......

Might give a whole new meaning to Drunkards Path!

funny - i was thinking the same thing!

I use this also but add Sta-Flo liquid starch purchased at Walmart with mine. I made some for my friend and she loves it.

I just mixed up a batch of this mixture. I put about 1/4 cup of the StaFlo concetrate also. It fits perfect in my empty Niagra non aerosol spray bottle. Can't wait to give it a try...

Hobby Lobby has it.

I'm going to give that a try. What I'm using now makes me cough for some reason.

Susan

I found it in an Amish grocery store in Arthur IL - you can go to a health store, buy on line - it is a little pricey but share the cost with a quilting friend - it goes a long way. Go to google, type in best price lavendar essence oil, and see what you get. Good luck - if I can help any more, please contact me.
Linda

A note from another member here said they have been discussing this on "other threads" - I am too new to go there without a little help but you probably know how. Go there and ask these friends that question - good luck and I am going to try to see how to get to that place here on quiltingboard.

you could also spray some in your mouth every now and then...lol

I think a I'd rather use Niagra Falls and keep the Vodka for a
nice cool Mudslide as a reward........LOL!

If you go to the top of the page, on the top line, there is a 'search'. Check out pressing spray, or Mary Ellen's Best Press. Hope this helps.

I have been making a similar version of this lavender water for years. Much cheaper than the expensive ironing waters that can be bought in the shops and you can add your own favourite essential oils.

Hugs

I need to give this a try. ;)

If you are allergic to scents and the alcohol evaporates quickly away, what is left besides the water? Isn't it starch from the potatoes that the vodka is made from? So isn't this just more expensive, very weak starch?

Okay -- just had a thought. We have some Raspberry vodka here.....we don't drink much -- obviously, it's been here for 8 yrs. I think I'll try this formula and see if the raspberry in it causes any problems with the fabrics. :) :) :)

I can just see me asking my DH to stop at the liquor store so I can pick up some vodka to use when I iron. Oh yea, that will go over really well.
This sounds silly enough, I want to try it.
Hmmm, going to town tom. I think I will! :)

The alcohol evaporates when heated with the iron.