I don't know what that is--can you tell me? Clarice

I just use spray sizing (not spray starch).

I love this!! Drink or starch!!! I'm a gin drinker I wonder if it would work too.

I'm feeling a bit dense - does this vodka & water mix actually get the same results as starch? It stabilizes fabrics, even 'stiffens' it a bit? thanks.

Thank you for the tip - I will add Best Press to my shopping list

No too many nips Pippi if using your rotary cutter! :)

I use the Niagra too. I emptied it into a bigger spray bottle and and water to it. I is great stuff. I buy several bottles when it's on sale.

I have used Best Press, Vodka and water, and liquid startch. The liquid startch is great if washing 2 -3 yards as you put this in the rinse cycle. Then I would almost dry it and finish drying with a hot iron. When I'm done, it feels almost new. The vodka mixture worked almost as good as Best Press, I had to use more of it. But with the cost being under $1 for the same amount of best press. I did find that the vodka did not leave a heavy stiffness. Best Press works wonderfully, but the cost does not out weigh the benefits. I believe $50 a gallon is absolutely absurd, that's five yards of fabric.

I really do like using Best Press, it is my favorite, but I have used the Niagra Spray in the spray bottle, its pretty good, have yet to try the vodka mixture, but since its the holiday season I'm sure one of my husbands relatives will bring cheap vodka to the party and not remember to take it home, so I guess now is the time to try it, will let you know how or if I like it

I have the Niagra non-aerosol, but have trouble with it flaking. Love Best Press - but ... as everyone has said - $$$. I'll dilute both of them next time.

Sure do!!! If I forget to twist the nozzle to the off position it will drip dreadfully- expensive mess!!

You ladies are lucky I am reading all of your theads this evening. I found a product from Bounce. It is bounce ironing spray in an orange spray bottle at Walmart. It is fairly new and not in most stores yet. First I picked up a small bottle for $1 in the samples isle. After trying it, I went back and purchased the big size. 16 oz. is $3.20 in VA. I folded a fat quarter in half and ironed half with Best Press and half with Bounce. The Bounce compared very well and is much cheaper. At any rate, if you are sold on Best Press it is worth a try. Also, you don't have to keep shaking it all the time. They advertise it as "crisp like starch, no flaking, no clogging."

ok, I am on the search for this Bounce spray. I guess Target has it I read! Will check it out!

Thanks for posting this recipe. I was looking for my copy of it to post.
sandy

I am hoping to find lavender oil at my drug store or health food store. Lavendar will do wonders for a musty sink base cabinet and other smells. Am hoping it will keep that funny old fabric smell out of my fabrics that have sat in my stash for a long time.
Am looking for a sizing concentrate that a neighbor [40 years ago] used to use. It was great, could make the strength you wanted and it was so much more economical that the spray cans.

. Amen! This definitely works BETTER than Best Press and a real money saver. Plus, it's my favorite fragrance, not someone who decides for me or no fragrance at all.
My choice!

Best Press substitute - Thank you to all who responded to the Best Press question.
 

I have been off the board all week. Thank you all for all the suggestions for the Best Press substitute. I will have to try the Niagra and the Bounce. Have a great day.

Sandyb

I also love Best Press. I have a couple of the spray bottles and wait to get coupons from Hancock Fabrics to buy the quart size refill liquid as it does get expensive. I also had to stop using the lavendar scented one - I liked it but it was just too strong a smell. Joann's does not carry it in our area but Hancock's always does and it goes on sale occasionally.

I have tried different "formulas" and none really match Best Press. I try to use a JoAnn's or Hancock Fabrics coupon to get mine.

I just ordered a gallon of Best Press from Joanne's online. Had a 50% coupon for one item and live an hour away from the nearest store so that worked for me. THeir spray bottles - 16 oz? - are on sale 1/2 price as well. You had to order $50 to get free shipping and I didn't do that, but the gallon bottle still came out cheaper even with shipping.

Amazon also carries Best Press, non-Aerosol Niagara, and some others. Best Press (gallon) qualifies for free shipping.

Here are some recipes for Best Press Substitutes that I saved from the old Board. I have not as yet tried any of them as I live in a Dry County.

Starch Substitutes

1. 2 cups distilled water
2 ounces vodka
20 drops lavender essential oil


2. 24 oz distilled water
3 oz vodka
1 teaspoon scented oil(optional)

Use cheap vodka and shake before using.


3. Yes, it's 1/4 c. vodka
2 c. distilled water
essential oil of your choice (few drops)


4. The one I like ~
Best Press Substitute ~ Mix together:

1 tsp lavender essential oil (found in Wal-Mart/Michaels- candle making supplies or drug stores) Note: optional if allergic to scents.
3 oz. vodka
Then add to 24oz distilled water in large spray bottle and shake well.

Hint: Vodka is made from potatoes, a natural starch.


5. Here's my recipe:

2 cups distilled water
2 oz vodka
a few drops of essential fragrance oil

I also add a small amount of liquid starch when I want more body

When you put the lavender oil into the vodka and water, can you still drink it? Just kidding. Nothing compares to Best Press IMHO, but it makes me cough no matter what scent I use, so I use it sparingly. You can find it online or at your LQS.
Sue

I use best press for long term projects that wont be washed anytime soon. I use the cheap stuff for quilts that will be put together and washed soon. I did not know Joann's had best press by the gallon! Going to have to find that and use a coupon. Thanks for the tip Dolphyngyrl! :-)

If you make your own Best Press subsitute using Vodka, use a POTATO based Vodka. 2 cups water, 1/4 c vodka, and about 10 drops essesential oil of your liking, or leave out. Shake well before using. Works well.
QJ!

I've had a problem with the bottle leaking as well. I had it on a bookcase and I now have a ring. Regardless, I still like the product.

Landers, I bought Magic Sizing and then found that it has the same ingredients as the starch products. Can you tell me what you're using?

Thanks.

OK - read the whole thread and still have a question. I bought a container of Magic Sizing but then saw that the ingredients were the same as some of the starch products offered at Walmart. I was trying to avoid starch because I read that because it's made from corn, it will attract silverfish if stored for a long time. (I'm the queen of unfinished quilt tops so my fabrics would sit for a long time before being washed again.)

Have any of you heard this or had this experience? The thought of those critters makes me nauseous.

Thanks. I will be trying the vodka recipe. :) I've used the Best Press but it is expensive.

if I want a stiffer fabric from the at home recipe what kinda of liquid starch do I use??? Im assuming I can find it in the laundry isle.

Thanks everyone for your comments, recipes, and recommendations! Guess I will try the vodka recipe as I have some vodka and don't drink it - like gin better! :)

I guess when my non-aerosol spray thingie is empty, I'll fill it with vodka and water. No one will be the wiser re why I'm having so much more fun than usual in my sewing cave.

Still wondering if gin will work (as a spray starch - LOL). I use Best Press but dilute it 50/50 with water and will be on the lookout for gallon size with 50% off coupons. I am slowly getting our prayer quilt ministry used to the idea that a quilt top should be FLAT before we continue the process of finishing the quilt and having the Best Press bottle next to the iron sure has helped the finishing process.

I, too, did not like the price of Best Press (though I think it is a great product) so I have used Niagra aerosol. I will have to look for the non-aerosol, as that is more my preference. I go back and forth on using any spray. However, I do prefer to spray at least water on my fabric. Must be from the old/golden days of ironing. LOL :D:D

I use Niagra non-aerosol, and (occasionally) Best Press. Here is another recipe for a starch alternative -- I have tired it and it worked fine, but I am lazy (I have also made my own from concentrate, but that is work too). I think I like the Niagra best.

Spray Sizing Recipe<o:p></o:p>
Ingredients:<o:p></o:p>
1 heaping tablespoon corn starch<o:p></o:p>
1 pint cold water<o:p></o:p>
1-2 drops essential oil (optional)<o:p></o:p>
Preparation:<o:p></o:p>
Combine the cornstarch and water in a bowl, and stir untilthe cornstarch is completely dissolved. (The mixture will be milky in color) <o:p></o:p>
Add in a couple drops of essential oil for fragrance, ifdesired. <o:p></o:p>
Then, transfer to a spray bottle, and use. <o:p></o:p>
2. A little goes a long way, so use sparingly.<o:p></o:p>

I don't like Vodka so I am sticking with Best Press. My favorite is the lavender.

I once had a great recipe for a nice pressing spray: 1 cup alcohol (or vodka for you drinkers!), 1 cup water, 1/4 cup liquid fabric softener. Mix well, put in spray bottle and use. I used to use it years ago and it was wonderful for clothes. I only thought of using it for quilting as I'm reading this post.

I'm interested in trying the vodka and water Best Press substitute. How do I know if my vodka is potato based?

Don't know about the potato based vodka but I was told to use the cheapest vodka you could find. That's what I did and it works wonderfully!