I really like the non-aerosol Niagara. It comes in a linen or lavender scent. I use it when working with applique pieces or if I have to piee bias edges. It helps keep the fabric from stretching and makes stitching easier.
Mary Ellen's Best Press is wonderful but it is expensive and I find for the difference in the price that the Niagara works great - the fabric is stiffer (starchier). |
love that non-aerosol. it works great, is in-expensive, better for the environment and smells good.
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Wow, guess I am the odd man (woman) here I tried Mary Ellen's Best Press once and fell in love with it. I really like the way it makes my fabric feel and look. I was lucky enough to find a LQS that had the 16oz bottle on sale for $4.97 so I bought several. I don't have to use as much of Mary Ellen's as I did of the other to have better results plus I like not using an aerosol can as well as recycling the empty bottle later.
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Originally Posted by Sheepshed
Home made spray starch...
I heard of people making homemade spray starch and adding a small amount of clear vodka to help it last longer, i thnk about 2 oz of vodka to a recipe similar to this site: http://tipnut.com/homemade-lavender-starch-recipe/ I havent tried it, i like Niagara its $1.39 for a big can and lasts me a long time.... I saw the last time i got starch in the store a non-aerosol spritzer next to the Niagara, but they hadnt put a price on the product or the shelf, i checked the front 5 items, so didnt buy any. But I like Niagara. |
I have been using the Sta-flo and not having a problem with it lasting or going bad. I guess I use it too fast but I make it up by the spray bottle , one from the garden center. I do use distilled water don't know if that makes a difference. I added rose water to mine and it was really nice to smell that when I ironed.
I found something awhile back but no one carries it anymore. Dryel made a starch alternative and I loved that. They stopped making it however I can't even find it online anymore. |
Thanks for all the hints, will look at Walmart for the starch and maybe try to make some using the recipe.
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I don't use the store bought spray starch, I get the concentrate bottle for under $5, dilute it 50/50, put it in a spray bottle and it lasts a long time.
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I love MaryEllen's - found it on Amazon in gallon jugs - much more reasonable than the quilt store prices.
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Originally Posted by machinequilter
I was wondering if any of you use either Mary Ellen's Best Press or Niagra Non-Aerosol Spray Starch. I have read reviews on both. Many say they are equal but Niagra is a lot cheaper. I was using Faultless Aerosol Spray but they have changed the top design and I have been having trouble with rust collecting in the top around the spray valve resulting in rust being blown onto my fabric. I really would like to hear what you use and your suggestions.
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I just looked at Amazon. If you buy the gallon you pay 36.70 cents per ounce and the 16 oz is 81 cents per ounce Now I included the shipping in the price per ounce. Yep I am one of Those people lol. As nice as it is, I have a bottle and save it for ironing clothes which is once in a blue moon. But I think for quilting fabric I will stick to my starch. I haven't figured out the price per ounce but I would guess its just a penny or two. I am cheap!!!
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