Starch alternative

I don't know what's in it but I do know there's another less expensive starch alternative by Dryel. I haven't personally used it but I've heard good things about it....... nice finish, no flaking or build up, etc. I think it's sold in supermarkets and maybe discount stores.

Thanks for that info, Jeri. My sister will be going down to SC soon and this is something that I can ask her to look out for. I checked the Dryel website and there is a coupon available to request by mail for anyone who is interested. jennellh

Okay, another product to try. LOL. I am a huge sucker for new products, gadgets, notions. I'm headed to Dryel site right now to get that coupon and then it's off to try to find the product in a store here. Wal-Mart, maybe?

Sunny still hung up on that clear sizing stuff.

Sunny how do you mix your own. What do you use?

GrammyKathy

I don't know what Sunny does -- but I buy the liquid starch by the bottle... and then pour it into a little 99 cent spray bottle where I dilute it SUBSTANTIALLY. It gives me the "crispyness" that I like in fabric -- but because there is so little starch in the water... I never have to worry about flaking.

Does anybody know the actual namme of the new starch alternative products?

I like to dilute the liquid starch too. BTW, if you want a bit more crispness, don't be afraid to make it a bit heavier. But spray it on and let it sit for a bit. You have to let the starch penetrate the thread/fibers of the fabric in order to not have the flaking problems. The one brand of the "new stuff" I know about is called "Mary Ellen's Best Press". I haven't noticed it in grocery type stores but have seen it in a few of the quilt shops around here. Where I teach they even provide it at the ironing boards in the classroom. (They do get gallon bottles of it and refill the small bottles. Not sure if the big bottles are available retail, but you might ask.)

Pati, > I don't know what Sunny does -- but I buy the liquid starch by the bottle...

Yep, that's exactly what I do -- buy bottled starch and dilute it in a spray bottle. I'm fine with that. I just liked the feel of the new product on the fabric. Not long ago, my husband brought home a can of sizing -- not starch. I tried it and fell in love. It was different than starch and it felt wonderful on fabric, including clothing and the stuff I sew with. And let's be clear here: I don't iron anything other than the fabric I'm going to quilt with. I figure clothes are just fine the way they come out of the dryer. If God intended me to iron clothes, .... well, She just didn't. So there.

LoL

Sunny

This came from the RCTQ newsgroup some years ago:

Here is some home brew kind of stuff:

Laundry Starch

Stir cornstarch and wheat starch together and cover tightly to store.

To use, dissolve 2 teaspoons in 1 cup water. Apply to damp fabric with a spray bottle or dilute with more water and moisten fabrics in a starch bath.

Trixie

I'm another big fan of sizing; having used starch in years, but the sizing gives fabric a nice finish.

I buy regular liquid starch,Linit or whatever you find in your grocery store, in a 64 oz. bottle, mix it 1:1 or 2:1 with water in a spray bottle and spray onto my "work" let it soak in and iron. If I am doing fat quaters I spray one and stack one on top, spray it, stack another, etc., until I have a whole pile. then, I flip the pile over and start ironing, ironing the first one (bottom one) first.

My mother used to buy dry starch, ARGO, >Sunny wrote: