Sizing Spray vs. Starch Spray
 

What's the difference? I didn't even know there was sizing spray until I sent my DD to the store to pick me up some starch and she texted me which one did I want - sizing or starch? Honestly, I didn't know how to answer her as I wasn't sure exactly what sizing spray was as compared to starch so I had her get the starch cause that's what I've always used, but I'm interested in hearing what your expertise/experience is in regards. Do they serve different purposes? Which do you prefer for piecing blocks and why? Pros and cons?

Sizing is more for crisp finish, starch is more for a stiff finish.

I prefer starch, but I get the concentrated and mix it 60/40, 60 being the starch, it goes a lot further and is considerably cheaper than the cans of starch. A lot of people don't understand how to use the starch and because of this they have problems with flaking and gunk on the iron. That's because they're ironing the starch and not the fabric. To use it without problems, spray the right side of the fabric, roll or wad it up and stick in a large ziplok bag for a minimum of 2 hours, remove and air dry, iron, you can either use steam or spray water. I use a garden sprayer because I have problems with my wrist, and you can adjust the spray how you like it.

2 hours?? I don't have that kind of time. I spray the fabric (doesn't matter what side), then I spray again with water. Wait about a minute or so, then iron. The water helps the starch soak into the fabric instead of sitting on top of it. This method has worked for me for the last 5 years.

This sounds strange but the members of my quilting club make a Drunken Fabric Spray. I think the recipe is one part vodka and 2 parts water. They put it in alcohol bottles and when needed they put it in a spray bottle. I have not used it but I bought my first bottle for seventy five cents. Everyone says it really works.

I won't spend that much starching quilting fabric even thought it is the correct way to saturate, let dry, and then iron. I have had great results using fabric wrinkle release spray and then ironing. A Teflon pressing sheet keeps build up off the iron if that is a problem.

This is the equivalent of linen water or spray, which is used when pressing out wrinkles, and often essential oil is added for scent. But please understand, it is not a starch. People mistakenly believe that because it has vodka in it, it therefore has starch, but the distillation process removes anything that could be considered starchy.

Peckish, Some of the members of my quilting group have been making their own spray using potato based vodka for a long time. Some like it, others not so much. Isn't that just the way things go. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/smile.png If it isn't really starch, why not just spray with water. I find that many fabrics have enough "stuff" in them that all they need is a little freshening up with a spray of water. I can just see them shrinking and going ahhhhh.

So, back to the original question. I use starch and not sizing. It works for me. Perhaps it is what do you want to accomplish. Simply iron out wrinkles? Water works just fine. I starch the stuff'ins out of the fabric when cutting on the bias and then my accuracy improves.

I use cheap spray starch, spay it on, let it soak in for a few minutes and iron it. No problems and no flakes. I also use Best Press just because someone gave me a bottle.

Me, too! but I'll try vodka!

I never use starch. I did a long time ago and stopped. I got tired of removing it from iron and surrounding area.

Ooh, ooh - I think I know! (Warning: chemistry nerd alert!)

The alcohol will reduce the surface tension of the water, and reduce its polarity. Both of these things will allow it to soak into the fabric more quickly/thoroughly, and remove wrinkles more effectively.

I have some experiments planned to test this, but I have to go to work. Hopefully I will be able to post a more thorough explanation and maybe some pictures tonight or tomorrow. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/smile.png

I stopped using Best Press unless I use a mask. The aerosol droplets get into my lungs. Also, use starch.

Purchase liquid starch, Purex Sta-Flo Liquid Starch, gallon size, Walmart and others, mix to the stiffness you need. Cheapest way to go. Mix, spray, give it some time to sink into the fabric (no white flakes or dirty iron), press.

I use a very cheap vodka with water for my spray. Vodka is made from potatoes or wheats but the is perfectly clear. I mix 1/3 cup of vodka with 3 cups of water. No cooking needed. I put the liquid in a "mister" bottle to spray, not a spray bottle. Just need to spray the fabric and iron it. No waiting! A cheap bottle of vodka lasts me more than a year!

Good Information. I have always used starch both the can spray and the mix it yourself (but not the vodka -although this is an interesting concept - wonder how it originated?). Sounds like the sizing would not be what I would want to use in place of starch as it is not the same thing.

Ever read a spray can of starch (Niagara, etc)? No mention at all that it contains starch...only lists "ironing aid" and fragrance!

I've tried Best Press, but not had good luck with it. The bottles have always leaked and removed the finish from my sewing table. I've seen the vodka hack to make homemade Best Press but never tried it. I have tried regular rubbing (Isoprophyl) alcohol and water. I think it worked only because (as the science person above said) it helped break the surface tension of the water. The alcohol didn't stain the fabric.

Usually I'll just spray or spritz the fabric with plain water (I have my mom's old spritz bottle), let it sit for a couple of minutes, then press. Seems to work well for me. Large pieces of fabric, I will spray, roll and refrigerate overnight, then press. Don't know why the cold works, but it does. Maybe it is just that the water soaks into the fabric better.

The Niagara/Faultless website says that starch is generally made from organic materials and sizing is synthetic. Very little vodka is made from potatoes anymore, even if it is, no starch would be left after distillation. Some interesting info here: https://www.mollymakesthings.com/pos...friend-science

I honestly don't think Niagra, June Tailor's "Starch Savvy", and Best Press contain starch anymore. When Best Press first came out, the MSDS on it said it was a starch product, but I believe now it says "polymer", which is also what the June Taylor product says. And Niagra quit making my favorite starch in the non-aerosol spray bottle, they've come out with an "ironing spray" instead. 😒 It has a scale on the bottle going from soft to crisp and rates this product as soft, which as a quilter I find very disappointing. We need crisp! I wrote them an email telling them so and asked them to come out with a product stiff enough for quilters. They never responded. So I'm going to try making my own spray with Sta-Flo.

My DD worked in the theater dept in college. They used the vodka mixture to remove odors from stage costumes. Not politically correct, but they called it Ghetto Febreeze.

I spray starch on one side of block/material then iron from other side. Nothing sticks to iron that way.

Faultless just released a spray starch/sizing--not sure how they really describe, but just out. Faultless is HQ in KC and they brought it to the KCRQF with it released just about a week before the show. Will be trying it soon.

It looks like what quiltingshorttimer is referring to is Magic QUILTING & CRAFTING SPRAY is a new product. It looks like that the the only current place to purchase is from their site. According to their site the ingredients are:

• Water
• Sodium Polymethacrylate
• Methylisothiazolinone
• Methylchloroisothiazolinone
• Peg-12 Dimethicone
• Polyaticonic
• Acid Sodium Zinc Salt

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
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I wonder how that differs from sizing or even Terial Magic. 🤔

We have the new Faultless sizing spray at our Walmart in Oklahoma - right next to the spray starch in the laundry aisle.. That's why I was wondering about it and how it ( the sizing spray) compared to starch.

Let us know what you think!

I've been using the Luxe finish (gold cap) for a couple of years. It's more toward the "crisp" on their scale. I do use Best Press sometimes as well, but find that mainly to be helpful in removing stubborn creases. For quilting - well, piecing - I want crisp, especially when working with pieces that start at 1" or so.

Faultless used to carry a liquid starch that came in gallon bottles; you mixed to your liking. I preferred it to Stay-Flo.