Starch. Is it all equal?
 

I've seen several discussions about 'starch' on this forum and have been wondering...do you all consider Mary Ellen's Best Press equal to the grocery store starch lineup starches? To me Mary Ellen's is pretty light weight compared to the rest. I just want to understand if we are all talking about the same thing when referring to starch. I've used both myself, as far as stabilizing fabric, the grocery store stuff out performs Mary Ellen's but I still like to use it to help get the wrinkles out. Opinions?

It's your quilt. Some don't mind mixing their own stiffness of starch. Sometimes it is just nice to have something on hand quick. I don't think so much as (and I maybe wrong)opinion but preference. When people start throwing opinions into preference I just wish they would do so gently. If one really really has to pinch pennies but likes the "Best Press" even they will dilute with water. Depends on my mood.

Mary Ellen's is not starch; it is advertised as a "starch alternative". It is similar to fabric sizing (which is available in spray cans), which is typically used to add just a little stiffening to collars and cuffs. Fabric sizing is man-made from chemicals.

Starch is made from organic sources -- corn, rice, potatoes, etc., usually with a small amount of chemicals added to keep it from getting moldy. Starch varies in strength. Spray starch in cans is on the light side of what you can do with starch. You can mix water with a commercial liquid starch such as Sta-Flo and create different strengths. I like a 1:1 solution for stiffening quilt backings before layering (a strength that would make a shirt unwearable for many people!).

For getting wrinkles out and adding just a hint of stiffening, fabric sizing (including Mary Ellen's) is good. For stabilizing fabric so it does not stretch or distort from handling, starch is much better.

Edit: There are many homemade recipes for starch online. It is inexpensive to make, but I find it is also cost-effective to use Sta-Flo diluted with water. There are also homemade recipes online for Mary Ellen's Best Press.

Mary Ellen is a totally different composition than starch. I don't believe it can really be compared with the grocery store starch. Also, many mix their own substitute for ME and get about the same results.

Personally I like Best Press because I don't use much starch and to mix my own wouldn't be worth it. It's nice to just have it handy. But I did use the spray for years because that is how long one can will last me.

This is is an excellent explanation! Thank you! I am pretty new to incorporating starch and Mary Ellen's into my quilting practices, noticed the difference in results, and use them according to what I'm wanting to achieve. I was just finding it a bit confusing and felt the need to raise the question and wondered if I was the only one. Thanks for the clarification!

I know starch can attract bugs, so unless I know it's something I will be washing pretty soon I prefer to use Best Press for general pressing.

I tend to work on several projects at once so some sit in the cupboard half-done for a long time, and I don't want critters in my cabinets!

This is also the reason I've avoided using starch.

I use starch all the time and don't usually wash right away and have never had any bugs. I am in No TX but some other areas may be buggiery (I know that isn't really a word) so you may have to take that into consideration. I don't starch until I am ready to start cutting but as you know the piecing doesn't always happen right away - still no problems with UFOs

I agree about the bugs not being a problem. I have used all types of starch and left it for months ant never had a bug. I'm in Michigan lots is bugs in my area but maybe the hard winters I'll them all. Guess you would have to try it in your area.

I use both. I use Best Press when I am ironing fabric and want to get the wrinkles out. If I am going to cut any blocks with bias, I starch the heck out of the fabric so it won't stretch. I have not had any issues with bugs and sometimes I am months getting back to a project. I have not tried starching the back, but will try that on my next back.

I get peeved when someone says don't buy this or use this because it's too expensive. Maybe a new car but starch?

The difference between Best Press & Starch is that, with Best Press you can iron right away & you will have no flakes, with starch you have to let it dry a tad into the fabric, while still wet, if not the heat will create white flakes on your fabric. I use both depending on what look or feel I want.

I've bought just about every starch or starch-like product out there. I think my absolute favorite is sizing. What really makes me happy is a bottle or can that sprays well and doesn't drip big globs on my fabric.

I've never had any problem with bugs and Florida is pretty buggy. I frequently use starch but I'll spray the fabric and then roll it up and let it mellow for the starch to absorb into the fiber of the fabric. If you press right away you get flakes and a gunky iron. I bought a bottle at Sally Beauty Supply that was for hairspray and it sprays in a fine mist. I really like it for starch. No globs or over wet spots.

I like my fabric very stiff when cutting for piecing, so I mix 2/3 Sta-Flo to 1/3 water and put the mixture in a spray bottle. I put the sprayed fabric in a plastic bag and keep it in the freezer until I am ready to use it. I do use Mary Ellen's Best Press for my final pressing of the quilt top and any time I have a wrinkle that I have trouble getting ironed out. I would not want to sew without either Sta-Flo or Mary Ellen's Best Press.

I don't believe this is true, I think it is starch. The MSDS sheet for Best Press says it's in the "starch family". I think they clarify the starch to make it clear; add perfumes, dyes, and a surfactant to make it absorb quicker; and market it in specialty stores like quilt and fabric shops instead of the grocery store. They can call it an "alternative" because it gives us a choice over the standard starches we've been using for years. :thumbup:

I bought the new Flatter spray. I like it better the Best Press. The best starch to use is Oxford and Wells. I buy it at Amazon. I use Sta Flo to make extra heavy starch. I use extra heavy when there are small pieces to cut and sew. There are many options available for everyone.

I mix my own with the blue stuff from walmart but I do love the lavender Mary Ellen's best press I spritz and iron my pillow cases and few blouses, smells so nice when I go to bed and have been asked what kind of perfume I'm wearing when I wear the blouses but now I can't find the lavender anymore the sewing store I use to get it from never seems to have the lavender so I'll have to look online when I run out.

You may be right. The homemade recipes that mimic Mary Ellen's Best Press are basically vodka and water. Vodka is made from fermented grains, which means the base is organic. Technically that classifies it as a starch. However, if you compare the pressing characteristics of Best Press to sizing and starch, it much more closely resembles sizing.

The marketing of Best Press is ambiguous. I have a bottle here that says "The Clear Starch Alternative". That could mean different things -- for example (1) that it is a clear starch instead of a white starch, or (2) that it is clearly an alternative to starch (ergo, not starch), or (3) that it is an alternative to starch that happens to be clear. I never even thought of the first meaning until you brought it up.

Maybe it's in-between. An organically-based sizing.........

Edit: Should add that I have a bottle of Best Press here that was given to me about a year ago. I haven't used it, but it is more than half empty from evaporation. I think that is because of the alcohol in it. Spray starch, Sta-Flo, and starches mixed from powders do not typically contain alcohol and also don't evaporate. So, for me, it is difficult to classify Best Press as a starch; it acts much more like a sizing.

I can understand what you are saying but when you are on a very tight budget, retired with a state pension only, every penny counts. Here in the UK it seems that anything to do with quilting is so expensive as it is not as popular hobby as over the pond:)

I have recently starting using Starch and love it, I am using "Faultless" as it a third of the price of Best Press for twice the amount! The difference with a couple of cans will buy me a cone of thread or maybe a FQ or two!

I have never tried Best Press because I am happy with a product called Magic Sizing that unfortunately seems to be available only at the super Walmart. It doesn't have any of the white flakes when pressing too soon and is light body without the stiffness.

Wow! $12.00 for 8.4oz??? Can't afford that one.

I understand being on a budget. I buy the items I like and save elsewhere. I learned it doesn't matter what I pay for one thing if another is bought cheaper. The same amount of money is being spent.

Sizing spray is available at the Dollar stores (Dollar Tree, It's a Dollar, etc.). It is not Magic Sizing brand, but it works the same. And, Magic Sizing can be found at Dollar General; it is the light body sizing.

I always use Best Press before I cut a fabric. It cuts smoother and my lines are straighter and the machine loves it. Seems to add just enough and if not, I can always Best Press in layers till it suits me

I was told by a tailor that the preservatives in starch prevents it from attracting bugs, so I don't worry about it, and no bugs.

I am a big fan too Anita. I have about worn out your book Rotary Cutting Revolution. I really like your tips and methods.

Eek... I just bought 2 gallons of it on sale from JoAnns. I better get in there and start using it.

I like to make my own..It is better than any I ever bought and it is cheap to make...