Substitute for BestPress?
#31
#32
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,077
I like buying the liquid starch that you add water to to use. You can make it so your fabric doesn't get as stiff, just by diluting it a little more. I confess, I do love the Best Press, but I buy it by the gallon (when I do buy it) to save money. I use it on hubs work clothes b/c you don't have to worry about the flaking....
#33
This is a recipe for something very similar to best press. Mark Lipinski's starch recipe:
Boil 1 qt water
Dissolve 4 Tab liquid starch in 2 cups cold water (this makes a light starch--use more for a heavy starch).
Add this to boiling water and return to boil.
Then add 2 more cups of cold water--place in spray bottle (I put the extra in plastic milk jugs). Store in cool
place. I love this mix. I use light starch and add a bit of lavender water.
Boil 1 qt water
Dissolve 4 Tab liquid starch in 2 cups cold water (this makes a light starch--use more for a heavy starch).
Add this to boiling water and return to boil.
Then add 2 more cups of cold water--place in spray bottle (I put the extra in plastic milk jugs). Store in cool
place. I love this mix. I use light starch and add a bit of lavender water.
#35
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Delmarva Peninsula
Posts: 1,151
Yesterday I made vodka spray starch, 1/4 Cup Vodka, 2 cup water (scant), and a few drops of rose water. Works wonderfully. Make sure you use a spray bottle that has been cleaned thoroughly, (re use, re cycle, re gift), I love it. So far I think it works as well as the Best Press. I have had difficulty with the Best Press bottle leaking, so I didn't reuse that bottle. Does any one else have a problem with Best Press bottles leaking?
Was there something posted on the board at one time about there being something out there that could be used in place of Best Press (spelling?)? I was at our guild meeting the other day and we were working on a new project and the lady leading the class was talking about how she uses Best Press for all of her quilting projects but that it is quite expensive. She let us use her's and it did give the material a nice press and feel. Thank you for any help or info you can give me.
sandyb
sandyb
#36
Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Marlton, NJ
Posts: 14
Love Best Press, but you're right, it's expensive! One of the ladies in my guild said she dilutes it and it works great. Pretty sure she said she waters it down 50/50.
Have to say, the vodka idea sounds pretty inviting! Would make a great gift for a quilty friend--you could make you're own label and put it on a squirt bottle from a dollar-type store.
Thanks!
Carole
Have to say, the vodka idea sounds pretty inviting! Would make a great gift for a quilty friend--you could make you're own label and put it on a squirt bottle from a dollar-type store.
Thanks!
Carole
#38
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Houston TX
Posts: 1,993
#40
So many options! I guess the main thing is to use somthing - I made lots of quilts with no starch, then decided to try Best Press - I'll never make another quilt without using some sort of starch or alternitive - makes lots of difference!
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