Do you use starch or a press prep? Do you prefer can starch, liquid concentrated or Mary Ellen's Best Press or something else?

I've tried the can and Mary Ellen's but I am currently using Sta-Flo (mixed 50/50) and like the results.

I just use good ole Niagra Spray starch if I use any.

Niagara is my fav. I used stay flo but it really gummed up my iron and I didn't like that.

Lynette

I use Niagra for starch. For sizing, I like the linen water they sell in the dollar tree stores.

I use sizing and have gotten quite "addicted" to it.

It makes ironing and getting fabric ready to cut
so much easier--to me anyway.....

I Love Mary Ellen's Best Press. Sorry you can't find it to give it a try, I've only found it at Quilt Shops, or the internet.

It doesn't flake like starch, and it works very well.

I make my own best press. 8)

Dissolve half a teaspoon (or for a more substantial recipe, 1 teaspoon) of cornstarch (in your cupboard probably) in a few tablespoons of cold water in a heat proof 2-cup measuring pitcher like Pyrex. Add boiling water to make one cup, stirring constantly. Then add cold water to the 2 cup line. Let cool and use in a pump spray bottle. Shake it every time you spray. You may have to dilute it a little if it is too thick or builds up white flakes. Lasts a week or so as there are no preservatives, no chemicals, no nothing that harms us or the environment, and it’s practically free, except for the spray bottle!

Mary Ellen's Best Press - great stuff.

Okay-duh! What is 'sizing'??I didn't know they sold linen water in the dollar stores....smell good too??Educate me moonpi!:)I'm from the country and the only 'sizing' besides buying britches would be when the ladies made doilies they made a sugar water to set their doilies when done to hold a stiff shape. Skeat

*Great post Marty-Mo!! I so want to know this question too...I liked the smell of the Mary Ellen's..but, after they raised the prices around here to over $10 for a 16oz....I've opted out of using that! Just greedy! And, I am not biting the bug on that one!

Yes, I've had the honeysuckle, rose, and lavender. The name on the pump bottle is "l'essence de Provence" and the pump bottle label is white, trimmed in a color suited to the fragrance. It leaves a light crispness, and at a buck for 16 oz, it's affordable. Depending on who is stocking the store, it is either with candles, soaps, or around the clothespins.

Thanks, I'll certainly look for it too!

I use the Nagara Starch and the Magic Sizing depending on how much stiffness I want.....:-)

Sizing is just a kind of "light weight" stiffener that is put into fabric to give it a nice smooth crisp look.. Ever get what looks like a nice shirt or piece of fabric that you love, but the first time you wash it, it goes limp and is much more open weave than you though and just looks like poo??? that's because the factory sizing has washed out. It's sometimes used by shoddy manufacturers to temporarily make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. It gives body to fabrics without making them stiff.

I like sizzing..it makes ironing easier!

sizeing usually but I remember using the corn starch I t gives fabric body ,yet feels soft, I used to use it for blouses and shirts.

I use just regular spray starch. It seems to work for me!

I don't use anything because I'm alergic to starch.

Love my Niagara

I use Mary Ellen's because I won it as a door prize at a guild meeting! I really like it, but I never used starch, so I can't compare.

It does smell good....it's green, so I'm thinking citrus scented.

I use spray starch (whatever is on sale cheep cheep NOT cheap :wink: ) I would use the BEST PRESS if I could afford $47 per half gallon, but when spray starch works equally well for way less money....I can live with the linen smell. I do use a heavier starch (multiple coats) when working with bias cut and muslins. They don't stretch so much after a good couple of starchings.

I use Magic Sizing. Love the way it feels. I just ran out of it and had it on my WalMart list (only buy household cleaning supplies there) and guess what? NO Magic Sizing! I used to be able to count on getting it there, but my WalMart is getting so strange I can't count on anything there anymore. Now have to hunt for another dependable source :(

I make my own starch too, I use a spoonful of regular white wheat flour and water, cooked on the stove. More or less water depending how thick/stiff you want it. Spray on with a plastic spray bottle and let it set on the fabric for awhile to soak in.
I first heard about making it on one of the quilting forums, quilting gals really share. I only starch if I'm going to cut triangles. I like the cotton to be heavily starched so it doesn't stretch out of shape. I always have to wash the finished quilts but I like the crinkly look anyway.

Niagara is my choice.

I use Magic Sizing. Our WalMart sells it for $1 a can.

CindyBee put in a request with the WalMart manager for the sizing. Sometimes they will add something they carried back if there is a request for it.

Wall Mart used to have Dryel starch alternative & I love it, but haven't been able to find it lately. It really makes fabric crisp & smells nice too.

I will have to check that out!! I'll try Walgreens (my favorite store over Wally's) first! THanks for that...Skeat