Startching questions
 

I have been using a commercial spray and the smell is getting to me. Can I make my own and use a water bottle? if so, how much corn startch do I mix in a 2 cup container.

Thanks for the information.

I don't make my own. I buy the Stay Flo starch concentrate in a Blue jug no scent , and mix to the desired strenght. Walmart carries it. I made my own but got tired of having to keep it in the refigerator, or running out when I was working on something.

I buy the sta-flo and mix it half and half with water in a spray bottle...works great and the smell is very little.

http://frugalliving.about.com/od/col...ray_Starch.htm

http://www.marklipinski.com/Tulip%20Tips/TTcontent.html - scroll down to tip #1

Not sure which product you're using and how offensive it is, have you tried the concentrate and diluting to your preference?

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/i...pqB26wHTsGHwuG

I have been using homemade spray starch for about 2 years now. Just add about a tablespoon at a time and try it on your fabric until you get it as stiff as you like. Also add a tablespoon of lemon juice, the juice keeps the starch fresh. I keep two bottles by my ironing board, one with light starch, one with heavy, and always shake it up very well before using. Hope this helps. You can use bottled lemon juice! MAWLUV

I'm a Sta-Flo girl, too, but have made my own in pinch. There are recipes online.

I mix 1/4 cup of cornstarch in 1/2 cup of cold water then add 1 quart of boiling water.
Let cool before use. This makes a fairly heavy starch. You can play with this...by
adding more water.

I was using Easy On Spray Startch but I need to admit that it was at least 10 yrs old! This might be why I did not like the smell! :eek: I will go and make up a batch!!!

I think I have an old can of that same spray starch around here somewhere. I am going to toss it for sure!

Thank you to Peckish (Peggi) who just last week introduced me to (my new best friend) STARCH!!!! Whoo hooo! I can't believe the difference it makes! I started with just a light spray (Faultless brand Heavy Starch- Original Fresh Scent), and that was ok, but when I really put the starch to it (pieces were literally wet), it was much better. (Yes, I screwed up and forgot to apply the starch BEFORE cutting).
But wow, what a difference in sewing! Love it, Love it, Love. IT!

Sorry; I know that my commentary didn't address the OP's question AT ALL...but I just thought I'd put in my 2¢ :)

I prefer using fabric sizing spray, it makes it somewhat stiff

Thank you I am going to try some Sta-Flo!!!

Another sta-flo fan here as well. The cost difference is amazing. I mix up a bit at a time, a 1:1 ratio and use a regular spray bottle. It's a snap to mix up as needed but will also last for longish periods just sitting at room temp with no problems. And I think it does a far better job of any of the commercial spray starches or sizing.

my formula is 2 tbsp cornstarch to 2 cups water, put in spray bottle and shake. Works well for me.

I've never boiled it so don't know how that does...but am satisfied as is. I always have cornstrarch on hand anyway for cooking so this makes it double worth the buying.

Also I never have to run to the store to pick up starch.

I don't use starch...I use Mary Ellen's Best Press, a starch alternative. No residue, no mess, comes in several pleasant scents or unscented. I bought a whole gallon and use it to refill my spray bottle.

I too use a homemade recipe
Stir 1 -2 teaspoons of cornstarch into a bit of cool water to dissolve
Stir in 1 cup boiling water, and stir for one minute to fully dissolve cornstarch
stir in 1 cup cool water.
let sit until cool enough to handle and pour into a spritzer bottle.

That's it! All natural, made for pennies, super easy and friendly to you and the environment.

You can add some lemon juice (2 teaspoons) if you like, but it's not necessary. Shake well before each use and throw away any you don't use within a week. No preservatives means it doesn't last as long as the commercial stuff, but given that it is so inexpensive and easy to make, this is not a problem.

I have been using cooked starch for years now. I couldnt find Stay Flo where I live so I made my own. I dont have a recipe per say, I just know how its supposed to look and feel as I'm cooking it. I recommend adding washing borax to the starch, it will preserve the starch for a really long time. Without the borax the starch will go sour, it doesnt take much, just a couple of spoonfuls.I also add a spray of my favorite lavender body spray, just one push on the pump. It gives the starch a nice smell and doesnt change the nature of the starch. I have a half empty pickle jar of my last batch in the fridge, its about 5 months old now and still as fresh as the day it was made thanks to the borax. I normaly make a batch every 6 months or so and keep it in the fridge.

i had no idea that starch was made from corn starch. i thought it was made from some strange and magical mixture. LOL it's amazing what i learn from this group!

I like Niagra concentrated starch and mix it up to the strength I want. it has a very pleasant scent. I prefer to mix my own rather than be throwing empty cans into a landfill. One bottle last me a long time.
peace

I use earth friendly spray starch non-aerosol fabric treatment from Lakeland. I have found that it is possible to water down which helps with the cost.
I only spray lightly on fabric when I will be handing a lot usually applique. I may spray at end of making blocks.

New tip........ When you have sprayed a friend wraps her blocks in kitchen foil. They are always lovely flat and never creased. Her daughter does the same. Perfection.

I tried making my own starch. I used corn starch made just for fabric. I found it in a little country store near where we live. I liked it but it did leave a residue on my iron if I didn't wait for the fabric to dry. Now I use Niagra spray starch or Stay Flo concentrate. I like the fragrance of the Niagra. Hancock Fabric was selling a new scent of Mary Ellen's, peaches and cream. But at $7 for a small bottle, I will pass.

I just tried to cook the cornstarch mixture (1-2 mins) and I am really pleased with the result. Don't cook it for too long or the starch will breakdown.
Will try the Borax trick next. Would be nice to have some starch ready to go when
I need it. Darn I shouldn't have thrown all that Borax away when we got the water
softener.

i like the stay flo stuff. use it all ythe time.

If you look up borax you will find it is also used as an insecticide for ants so I suspect that might help with the bug issues.