So, if you feel it isn't giving you enough stiffness in your fabric, couldn't you just make your own starch and add the rest of ingredients?

Personally I'd rather just buy the starch spray than mess with making my own. The only reason I use the vodka/water mix instead of Mary Ellen's is because my dd has several allergies and the company that makes Mary Ellen's won't tell me if any of the ingredients are ones she is allergic to. When companies refuse to disclose information like that it makes me not want to do business with them at all (there are entire food companies we don't use because of this).

I've used both Niagra spray starch and Mary Ellen" starch. I do see a difference in using hers. I buy it like someone else said , when it's on sale only. I love it. I also have allergies and it doesn't bother me at all. Hope that helps. Blessings

I usually mix my own but I bought the Mary Ellen's Press as sort of a
back-up when I'm in a rush to finish a project and there's just that one
piece that needs to be cut/re-cut or if a few pieces need a little extra help.
Too expensive to use for a whole quilt.

it's a federal law to have a MSDS sheet for pure and chemical household products and if you request one you will get it. Here is a website that has a list of most starches.

http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/index.htm

I think Mary Ellen's has tapioca in it. I don't like it at all. I like Faultless and Niagara in the pump bottle.

May I ask why you don't like Mary Ellen's?

My dd's allergies are life threatening. So unless I know for sure, I don't take the chance-especially with something that will be sprayed. I will try to get the MSDS-maybe if I word it that way instead of asking ingredients they'll be more forthcoming.