I use the concentrated liquid starch. Not only is the price of a single can of the spray starch, it's a whole lot cheaper.

I use Mary Ellen's Best Press. I have found it to be better than the one I mixed myself. I like the scents that it comes in. It also comes in non-scented.

I too am concerned about the enviornment so I have worked my way out of spray cans.

Kelly

Just read the latest issue of Quick Quilts. in which Nancy Smith & Linda milligan of "Possibilities" discusses this very subject.
Lots of very importany and helpful tips about Starching.
Maybe someone could scan and post here for all to read.

I bought Mary Ellens Best press. It is nice but wow how expensive. I will be looking in the grocery for another option too. Thanks.

I like Mary Ellen's Best Press, too.....lavender is my favorite. I use it for everything I "starch"

Oh---I have been looking for the gallon refills everywhere!!! Can you tell me where you got them?

I looked for it at JoAnn's and they did not sell it (maybe they have it in some locations...just not the store where I was looking).

I did find the spray bottles at Hancock Fabrics...and got to use a coupon:-)

This is a recipe for spray starch that is very similar to "Best Press"--much cheaper. I use this all the time--it's great.
Boil 1 quart water
Dissolve 4 Tab liquid starch (Sta-flo) in 2 cups cold water and add this
to the boiling water and return to boil.
Then add 2 more cups of cold water--(you may add a bit of lavender water--I do). Put in spray bottle. Store remaining in cool place. Really not hard to make and lasts forever.
This makes a light starch, use a little more Sta-flo for a heavier finish. You will find Sta-flo in the supermarket by the laundry products.

deltaquilter--
does heating the water help disperse the starch better? Where do you find lavender water? Would an essential oil work as well? Thanks for the "recipe" :lol: :lol: :lol:

yes, I think boiling the water disperses the starch and probably keeps if from separating. I found some lavendar spray (used on bed linens) in a department store. Just takes a few drops. I wouldn't use an oil--may stain.

I got mine from a yahoo.com store (http://search.store.yahoo.net/cgi-bi...96748182234973). With shipping, it came to just under $50.

It's also available from createforless.com - a little more per gallon, but if you spend $100, free shipping.

Once in a blue moon, LQS will have refills, but only unscented. Even at $50 from above, it's quite a bit less than the 16 oz. bottles usually available at LQS.

I use Faultless Premiun Professional Starch. It seems to be the same as the very pricey one you can get at quilt shops. It has a gold lid and a gold bottomed can. I love this stuff. No flaking and no build up on my iron. I am on my 3rd can. I get it a Walmart. I spent a lot of money on that pricey stuff never again!

I do realize that starch is very importent....
The niagara is expensive for me (out of US) so I use it only on "top quality" quilts....others wise....whatever I can find or make
The more you starch, the stiffer it will get...and it does make a lot of difference and easier to quilt on.....
Good question

I used to use Niagra only. Then I discovered liquid starch at Wal Mart. I now use it - it is SO much cheaper. I have not even used a whole bottle yet. I put some in a spray bottle (maybe 4 oz) and fill the rest with water, use half of it and then refill with water. It lasts a long time and does a good job. I iron my fabric and my clothes with it. Never had it go bad. Obviously, the more starch in the bottle the stiffer the fabric.

what do you mean - go bad ?

I just discovered Mary Ellen's Best Press. I got the Lavender scent at my LQS and really like it. Nice crisp feel to the fabric and no flaking. I paid a little over 8 dollars and just found out that one of the other LQS's will refill for $5. They usually carry 2 or 3 scents. I have had mine for about 1 month and haven't used even half of it yet.

I used liquid make it yourself starch when I was doing a convergence quilt of Ricky Tims. My lines were so much straighter and the intersections really met well. I was very pleased with the result.

Just found the Mary Ellens gallon size on Amazon for $29.39 + $6.95 shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/s/qid=12522627...s%2Ci%3Agarden

I usually use Niagra. No specific reason, it just what I always used.

That's a really good price. Although I wasn't buying any (recently bought my gallon elsewhere), I went through the steps to see what the final price would be. The link through Amazon is for joann's, so I would have to pay tax as they have stores in NY. Total price, with shipping and tax, was a little over $39.

I have had Sta-Flo starch get moldy after being mixed with water and left out for days. It would probably last longer in the frig.

Faultless, lavender scent,heavy starch just makes your iron flow makes ironing fun if possible. :D :D :D

If I'm going to starch fabric, I always starch before cutting. If I'm starching a large piece of fabric (say, for a backing), I mix a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo and water, lay the fabric on my kitchen island, and use a wall painting brush to saturate the fabric. I toss it in the dryer, and then iron with steam. It would work being hung out to dry too.

I had a bad experience with this battle.... It wasn't spraying...there was plenty of foam getting out of it anytime I squeezed......

I use Faultless, I love the crispness it gives the blocks.