You should spray starch on the back of the fabric to reduce the residue especially for dark fabrics. But if you spray directly on the front of your fabric, let it dry completely before pressing that should also reduce or prevent residue. I have found that starching yardage first before cutting it into smaller pieces is the best idea because starching can shrink your fabric slightly as well. Some quilters will cut either the Trial Magic or Best press with water down to a desired stiffness.
Nice video, though i never starch after fabric is cut. I only use corn starch which i 6:00 make myself. spray both sides , roll it up and let it soak in for about 10 minutes . Then i let it air dry for about an hour. I make my own to control the stifness. Heavy if working with small pieces or bias cuts and lighter for medium cuts
I was taught to spray starch on the back of the fabric to minimise residue stains. Mind you I now prefer to use Mary Ellen's to avoid the residue problem, especially given the cost of fabric these days.
I've just bought Mary Ellen's starch; I live in Australia, and it was very expensive, anything from the US or UK always has a massive postal cost, the product costs $17.70, but the shipping was $30-$40, so I never bought it - But a local company has imported it and it was $17.70 with FREE postage. I have just given it a small test so far, and it's great.
@@williamsews I'm in Australia too. I buy Mary Ellen's on Amazon so I get free postage. Works for me lol. I agree that postage costs are a curse but I do usually find the US is cheaper than the UK, and way cheaper than Canada.
I love the Acorn pen! I saw that you didn’t press down on the nib to get the solution out. When you press down, the nib retracts, which saturates the nib. Then you’re able to saturate the seam. I have to press several times over the length of a seam. I don’t use starch for my fabrics, but looove the flat seams I get with Acorn! It’s also great to get rid of the hard crease from the fabric bolt.
Terial Magic will scorch easily. you might want to try Linit for a Sta Flo replacement. It's more expensive than sta flo but you can control the stiffness. I've learned over the years that spraying back of the fabric and ironing the front is the best way to not get flaking. I also only spray fabric before cutting, not finished quilt blocks or units. Great review! Some of these I had never seen before. I plan to try the washable glue!
@@sewquilty LINIT is a concentrate you mix in a spray bottle. Yes I've use it for starching my fabrics before cutting. It is lightly scented. It does not work well in the continuous spray bottles.
What did you think? I wasn't able to find Purex Sta-flo or any of the Flatten products. Maybe something for a future video someday. If you're thinking I haven't pressed long enough in most of the video, I did but edited that out so this wouldn't be a video more than an hour long. What's your favorite starching method?
My favorite starching method is homemade potato or rice starch. If I want it to keep, I add a small amount of ethanol. No residue, but I only starch the back of my fabric and iron the front.
You mentioned Flatten. I use Flatter which might be what you were referring to? It definitely does not make the fabric as stiff as others, but it smells darn good. Especially the Pineapple Grove scent. Thanks for the video!
Here in Australia we have a spray on starch called Crisp, my definite go to favourite. After that I like Best Press, but I don't spray either onto my fabric unless I am starching/pressing after washing yardage. I put some into a small bowl or a lid, and I use a small artists paint brush to brush it along my seam line. This enables the seam to lie beautifully flat, but doesn't cause any shrinkage of the piece if I haven't already pre-washed. I recently found a small refillable plastic reservoir with a paintbrush on the end at my local quilt shop. You can fill the reservoir with your spray starch, and then paint that along the seam line. This is great too.
Luxe and Best Press are my favorite starches. When I think of fabric stiffener I don't put it in the same category as starching. In my mind they seem like two different uses. Thanks for doing all this work!!!
Thank you for all your work on this, I hope your wool mat didn’t suffer. I cannot believe how many different products you found. I don’t know if it’s just the area of France I live in but it is impossible to find starch . I bought some powder starch by Kershaw from UK. It works well as a stiffener but cutting it I have to put on glasses and use a mask!
Great video, thanks! I use Peal starch, much more dilute than you made, and when using dark fabrics, I spray the wrong side, have never had a problem. I'm going to try clear school glue; I use it to baste, but never thought to use it to stiffen. (I made several "clappers" from high quality black walnut and maple wood scraps left from making checkerboard cutting boards. Free-ish, and work beautifully!)
I agree that a Taylor's clapper is a tool that should be used in every sewing studio BUT the reason it works is because it's wood. Wood absorbs the moisture from the steam or even the ambient humidity from the air that's been absorbed into the fabric. I've used a clapper successfully over and over until the wood is no longer cool and still gotten a good crisp piece. Sending lots of love 💕 from sunny 🌞 Arizona 🌵. Take care of yourself and each other 😷
@dcwatashi , I took a clean 1x4 out of the scrap bin. It works great! It just has to be unfinished so the wood can absorb the moisture. But a store bought clapper is easier to use because it has a groove on the sides for easy gripping. 💕🌞🌵😷
I really do love the Faultless Luxe starch, but I don’t have an issue with fragrance. I have wanted a real clapper for years, but every time I’ve thought to get one I wanted it right then and was too impatient to wait for shipping, so I bought two 6” pieces of unfinished hardwood stair treads and a pack of flat metal menders for added weight. Using some E-600 I already had, I glued the metal menders to the underside of one stair tread then glued the treads together. For abt $10 and 20 minutes of time I have my own version of a clapper that has worked very well for me. I’m kinda proud of my franken-clapper!
@dcwatashi , I have very limited disability income and live below the poverty level. $10 for something extra means I'll have to go without meat for a couple of days or maybe even miss a prescription or a couple of days without heat. I get my phone and internet from a low income program. My scrap of lumber does just as good as any store bought, finely shaped piece of oak. P.s. Amazon delivers here the next day, maybe even the same day. They deliver my OTC benefit supplies. Sending lots of love 💕 from sunny 🌞 Arizona 🌵. Take care of yourself and each other 😷
Thanks for all of the testing. Best Press makes me cough. Even unscented. My favorite is Magic Quilting and Crafting Spray. Spray from 8” and its like Best Press, respray and it’s more stiff. I love it!!! Give it a try! I spray my whole fabric pieces before I press it and cut it. I’ve had pre cut fabric pieces shrink as much as 1/8”. Throws the piecing off. Thanks again.
I starched a lot of quilt blocks with Best Press and after a while I started coughing and it didn't go away completely for a day or so. I hate to think what that stuff did to my lungs. They also do not list the ingredients on the bottles, that I didn't like. If some one were to have a reaction and had to seek medical help there wouldn't be any way of seeing what's in the product. But it does work great.
Terial Magic is not a starch. It is a stabilizer. It is applied to damp fabric and when almost dried it is iron with a dry iron. It is great for appliqués and knit fabrics as it takes out the stretch. For t-shirt quilts it’s great as no stabilizer is needed and when the quilt is completed it washes out and returns to the original hand. I use is to stabilize fabric before machine embroidery and eliminate paper like stabilizers. So the best thing to do is to treat the fabric before cutting. It will prevent fraying and I have even used on silk. It’s a wonderful product when used correctly.
I noticed your Vodka said American Harvest on it, which I suspect means it was made with grain. Grain does not have starch in it. You need a Potato based Vodka if you’re going to use it as a starch alternative because Potatoes have lots of starch in them.
I didn't believe you because I thought I saw potato starch on the bottle, but actually you're right. Didn't know vodka could be made from something other than potatoes. Funny that it's also made in Idaho right in the zone where a lot of the potato production happens. LOL.
Wow. You get bonus points 👍👍👍for set-up and execution! A couple of thoughts, tho: 1. Faultless Spray Starch leaves no residue IF a) all spray is absorbed by the fabric before ironing, and b) fabric is only moistened, not saturated. 2. Mary Ellen's home recipe is 1/2 & 1/2 water and cheapest POTATO-based vodka. Unable to find anything labeled as such, I added 1 TBS potato starch to 2 cups hot water & nuked 2 minutes, cooled, then added 2 cups cheapest vodka. Acts just like Mary Ellen's, at about a fifth (pun, I know) of the price. Since it keeps my iron clean, it's what I use for yardage before piecing. 3. Spray n Bond Stiffener didn't wash out completely with one gentle wash; it took two for the baby quilt I used it on. YMMV. 4. There is an alternative to Purex liquid starch available online. It worked just like Purex for whole-cloth dipping. But it is so pricey that once gone, I won't replace it. 💕Once more, thanks for a great job! And Faultless Luxe Finish is new to me; I'll need to go find some for garments...
Thanks for the insights. Yeah, I was puzzled why my Niagara had that much residue. But it is an old bottle, so perhaps I should have shaken it in addition to not blasting. It's hard not to completely saturate such tiny block units.
I find the same types of issues. After a lot of frustrating testing I use SimpliStarch. I make a weaker solution and spray it on the wrong side of the fabric rather sparingly. The I let it set, not for long maybe half a minute, until the liquid is absorbed into the fabric. Then I turn down the temperature of the iron. Then I reapply for more stiffness. If I use too much or have the iron too hot it's not good. Also if you use corn starch or any other "natural" starch be sure to wash it out of the fabric, especially if you are going to pack it away in a closet. Little creatures will love to eat all that "food" and it will not be detectable until you take it out much later and the damage will be done.
Hairspray never thought of that . Great video. Ive been looking for a more economic starch. I've got corn starch and had a few issues but im going to give it a try again . Thanks xx
1. There’s a difference in the products, between the original Elmer’s Washable School Glue, and the Clear. These should both have been compared. Only the original should be used on fabric, if you want it to wash out fully. 2. Excellent scientific method! I would have liked to see a spreadsheet of data, but maybe I’m a geek. Lol.
What a GREAT video for those nerdy obsessed quilters (like myself) who really agonize over starch! I use "Flatter" diluted with about 1/3 water Only on seams. Although it comes with a sprayer & is available unscented--I use a small paintbrush so I can control it. It is expensive. I used to use the "Luxe" for overall starching before cutting but I have had nothing but trouble with defective spray tops so have been looking for an alternative. I was taught the Cornstarch method by my Great Grandmother, Grandmother, & Great Aunts, but after cleaning out their stashes after their passings--it can mold & attrack bugs & mice!! Cheap though! This is my 1st of your videos, so will be checking back on your channel. Thanks!!
Thank you for your input. I really appreciate it which I’m not familiar with quilting. I’m a beginner but I have thought about spraying some but I don’t think it’s a good idea to saturate your fabric. My thoughts on the matter.?
Very informative. Thank you for going to all the trouble so that we don’t have to. I usually use best press but I’m now considering trying some of these other options.
Il faut effectivement laisser sécher avant. Cela évitera aussi au fer de se retrouver complètement encrassé (et laisser de belles traces brunes sur le tissu la fois suivante)
I always spray with water, and one of the heavy or luxe aresol starches and then allow it to dry. Then iron with steam. There is no residue even on dark colors, and it also pre shrinks the fabric. Once starched, steam reactivates each time you press a seam. Starching or even steam pressing, after you cut, can often cause you to lose 1/4 to 3/8 inch over 5 inches in the cross grain. Because the length wise grain doesn't shrink, none of your points will line up. Fully starched and pressed fabric will also cut like a dream.
Acorn also makes an excellent product that can be used in a spray bottle or they have a fantastic battery operated bottle that is amazing. I also believe stay-Flo has been rebranded at a higher cost, new label craft magic spray.
Nice video. I’ve been pretty happy with Simplistarch. I dunk and hang dry mostly. If I put it in a spray bottle I dilute a little more. Let it dry first a little and there won’t be any residue.
I dunk and then let the items dry flat or hanging to most of the way dry. I still get residue because the 10 to 1 ratio just has a lot of gritty stuff. I've taken to watering down to more like 15 to 1 on the starch powder for my dunk projects. Thanks for watching!
An interesting review. I don’t use any spray starch at all anymore, because of cost and residue (withe the exception of the Lux one). I only use the vodka and distilled water. I just make mine stronger on the vodka part. No residue at all and I get the amount of stiffness I want. Your comments about each one though were interesting.
I’m thinking that a five yo bottle of Niagra might tend to have nozzle problems. 😊. Maybe a nozzle rinse would clear that up. This is a most AWESOME and thorough review! I’ve been using Niagra for decades and like the “classic” fragrance but not a big fan of florals. If it says linen scent I’m in. Thank you for this great product review!!!
I did wipe some scum off the nozzle when I retrieved it from the under sink clutter of typical chemicals and did a few sprays into the sink in case of the line was clogged. I've speculated in another comment that I might have needed to shake it up a bit to not have that much residue because I remember it having some residue but not nearly to the extent that happened when I filmed. Thanks for watching!
I have used Terrill magic a lot. The instructions tell you to let the solution soak into the fabric for a few minutes before ironing. When I do that, I get no residue on the fabric and none on my iron either.
Thanks. Interesting experiment. There are many videos with recipes but not too many with testing, especially testing as many options as you have done. I am inspired to do my own testing since I often wonder if rice water would work well? I soak my basmati rice or at least rinse it and the water is starchy. Worth a try though I would not let it sit since it is food and would spoil.
Yes interesting, I’ve learned a trick or two. Also learned what not to do. Testing with water, your technique is perfect. Spray starch, I’d never spray the front side and press the hot iron onto the web fabric. I am a starcher, avid starcher. Love my clapper buy a crisp fabric to start with is better at the sewing machine.
Not sure what the composition of your vodka is, but it needs to be a potato vodka to work as a starch alternative since the potato provides the starch. Vodka made from other grains won’t do much. I recently started using potato vodka and distilled water and love it!
I wasn't aware Sta-Flo was discontinued. I looked on their website and it says they would consider restarting production if enough customers contact them! So if anyone really wants the product, contact the company via their website. Thanks for this video..,,.
I didn't keep track on that metric as my half square triangles were not trimmed to any specific size. Interesting idea to incorporate into a possible future video though as I've certainly had shrinkage happen with the dry starch method in the past. Thanks for watching.
Yes, I agree. But sometimes people have a reason for not washing like entering in a quilt show first to take full advantage of the flatness and to also avoid the possible color bleed from a first wash. I don't usually wash a quilt that goes into a quilt show until after I'm done with the quilt showing. Thanks for watching!
My word, darling, you have the same results if you were to get your fabric in a bowl of liquid starch, then to spray so much of it at a close range. 😊. The quilt piece is being saturated by the closeness of your spraying technique.!… No doubt your demonstration and use of the spray would be much better if you’d have some distance between the spray nozzle and your fabric ..😊…. I don’t know if your demonstration is the best result of a demonstration 😢… God bless you.
I used to use it and have been trying to convince myself that I should trade in my Faultless Spray starch that it would be cheaper. I used to use it all the time. However, the cans of faultless Luxe are less than 2$ and is one of my cheapest supplies.
That’s why there is a 2x viewing option and you can fast forward. You can have it fast and those of us who like details can watch in real time. Thanks for a great video!!!
So rude, nobody’s making you watch it. What is WITH some people?? Would you say that to her face?? If you would, then you’re horrible, and if you would not, then don’t say it on the internet!!!!
@@jamieomahen2656 There's that and there's also the L for going forward 5 seconds and the J for going back 5 seconds if you're watching on a computer instead of a phone. I also decided to place chapters for anyone who wanted to skip a particular method or just jump to the conclusion, like another said. The data nerds like me can watch all the way through, everyone else can hopefully still find something useful with all the navigation provided in the chapter marks.
You should spray starch on the back of the fabric to reduce the residue especially for dark fabrics. But if you spray directly on the front of your fabric, let it dry completely before pressing that should also reduce or prevent residue. I have found that starching yardage first before cutting it into smaller pieces is the best idea because starching can shrink your fabric slightly as well. Some quilters will cut either the Trial Magic or Best press with water down to a desired stiffness.
I love that I'm not the only one to use good old lumber from the home store for clapper:-)
Nice video, though i never starch after fabric is cut.
I only use corn starch which i 6:00 make myself. spray both sides , roll it up and let it soak in for about 10 minutes . Then i let it air dry for about an hour.
I make my own to control the stifness. Heavy if working with small pieces or bias cuts and lighter for medium cuts
I was taught to spray starch on the back of the fabric to minimise residue stains. Mind you I now prefer to use Mary Ellen's to avoid the residue problem, especially given the cost of fabric these days.
I've just bought Mary Ellen's starch; I live in Australia, and it was very expensive, anything from the US or UK always has a massive postal cost, the product costs $17.70, but the shipping was $30-$40, so I never bought it - But a local company has imported it and it was $17.70 with FREE postage. I have just given it a small test so far, and it's great.
@@williamsews I'm in Australia too. I buy Mary Ellen's on Amazon so I get free postage. Works for me lol. I agree that postage costs are a curse but I do usually find the US is cheaper than the UK, and way cheaper than Canada.
I love the Acorn pen! I saw that you didn’t press down on the nib to get the solution out. When you press down, the nib retracts, which saturates the nib. Then you’re able to saturate the seam. I have to press several times over the length of a seam. I don’t use starch for my fabrics, but looove the flat seams I get with Acorn! It’s also great to get rid of the hard crease from the fabric bolt.
I also love the acorn pen! Could not get flat seams without it.
Terial Magic will scorch easily. you might want to try Linit for a Sta Flo replacement. It's more expensive than sta flo but you can control the stiffness. I've learned over the years that spraying back of the fabric and ironing the front is the best way to not get flaking. I also only spray fabric before cutting, not finished quilt blocks or units. Great review! Some of these I had never seen before. I plan to try the washable glue!
Do you use the "Limit" for your over all starching? I am trying to find an alternative to the Luxe due to problems with the clogging top. Thanks!
@@sewquilty LINIT is a concentrate you mix in a spray bottle. Yes I've use it for starching my fabrics before cutting. It is lightly scented. It does not work well in the continuous spray bottles.
What did you think? I wasn't able to find Purex Sta-flo or any of the Flatten products. Maybe something for a future video someday. If you're thinking I haven't pressed long enough in most of the video, I did but edited that out so this wouldn't be a video more than an hour long. What's your favorite starching method?
Sta flo has been discontinued for a few months now.
My favorite starching method is homemade potato or rice starch. If I want it to keep, I add a small amount of ethanol. No residue, but I only starch the back of my fabric and iron the front.
You mentioned Flatten. I use Flatter which might be what you were referring to? It definitely does not make the fabric as stiff as others, but it smells darn good. Especially the Pineapple Grove scent. Thanks for the video!
Here in Australia we have a spray on starch called Crisp, my definite go to favourite. After that I like Best Press, but I don't spray either onto my fabric unless I am starching/pressing after washing yardage. I put some into a small bowl or a lid, and I use a small artists paint brush to brush it along my seam line. This enables the seam to lie beautifully flat, but doesn't cause any shrinkage of the piece if I haven't already pre-washed. I recently found a small refillable plastic reservoir with a paintbrush on the end at my local quilt shop. You can fill the reservoir with your spray starch, and then paint that along the seam line. This is great too.
Luxe and Best Press are my favorite starches. When I think of fabric stiffener I don't put it in the same category as starching. In my mind they seem like two different uses. Thanks for doing all this work!!!
Thank you for all your work on this, I hope your wool mat didn’t suffer. I cannot believe how many different products you found. I don’t know if it’s just the area of France I live in but it is impossible to find starch . I bought some powder starch by Kershaw from UK. It works well as a stiffener but cutting it I have to put on glasses and use a mask!
Great video, thanks! I use Peal starch, much more dilute than you made, and when using dark fabrics, I spray the wrong side, have never had a problem. I'm going to try clear school glue; I use it to baste, but never thought to use it to stiffen. (I made several "clappers" from high quality black walnut and maple wood scraps left from making checkerboard cutting boards. Free-ish, and work beautifully!)
I agree that a Taylor's clapper is a tool that should be used in every sewing studio BUT the reason it works is because it's wood. Wood absorbs the moisture from the steam or even the ambient humidity from the air that's been absorbed into the fabric. I've used a clapper successfully over and over until the wood is no longer cool and still gotten a good crisp piece. Sending lots of love 💕 from sunny 🌞 Arizona 🌵. Take care of yourself and each other 😷
@dcwatashi , I took a clean 1x4 out of the scrap bin. It works great! It just has to be unfinished so the wood can absorb the moisture. But a store bought clapper is easier to use because it has a groove on the sides for easy gripping. 💕🌞🌵😷
A magazine has the same affect - holds the heat and moisture as the fabric gradually cools
Very been a problem for me.
I really do love the Faultless Luxe starch, but I don’t have an issue with fragrance.
I have wanted a real clapper for years, but every time I’ve thought to get one I wanted it right then and was too impatient to wait for shipping, so I bought two 6” pieces of unfinished hardwood stair treads and a pack of flat metal menders for added weight. Using some E-600 I already had, I glued the metal menders to the underside of one stair tread then glued the treads together. For abt $10 and 20 minutes of time I have my own version of a clapper that has worked very well for me. I’m kinda proud of my franken-clapper!
@dcwatashi , I have very limited disability income and live below the poverty level. $10 for something extra means I'll have to go without meat for a couple of days or maybe even miss a prescription or a couple of days without heat. I get my phone and internet from a low income program. My scrap of lumber does just as good as any store bought, finely shaped piece of oak. P.s. Amazon delivers here the next day, maybe even the same day. They deliver my OTC benefit supplies. Sending lots of love 💕 from sunny 🌞 Arizona 🌵. Take care of yourself and each other 😷
Thanks for all of the testing. Best Press makes me cough. Even unscented. My favorite is Magic Quilting and Crafting Spray. Spray from 8” and its like Best Press, respray and it’s more stiff. I love it!!! Give it a try!
I spray my whole fabric pieces before I press it and cut it. I’ve had pre cut fabric pieces shrink as much as 1/8”. Throws the piecing off. Thanks again.
I starched a lot of quilt blocks with Best Press and after a while I started coughing and it didn't go away completely for a day or so. I hate to think what that stuff did to my lungs. They also do not list the ingredients on the bottles, that I didn't like. If some one were to have a reaction and had to seek medical help there wouldn't be any way of seeing what's in the product. But it does work great.
I like the Magic product too.
Wow! What a lot of effort you went to to demonstrate this very useful information! Thanks for your video.
Terial Magic is not a starch. It is a stabilizer. It is applied to damp fabric and when almost dried it is iron with a dry iron. It is great for appliqués and knit fabrics as it takes out the stretch. For t-shirt quilts it’s great as no stabilizer is needed and when the quilt is completed it washes out and returns to the original hand. I use is to stabilize fabric before machine embroidery and eliminate paper like stabilizers.
So the best thing to do is to treat the fabric before cutting. It will prevent fraying and I have even used on silk. It’s a wonderful product when used correctly.
I noticed your Vodka said American Harvest on it, which I suspect means it was made with grain. Grain does not have starch in it. You need a Potato based Vodka if you’re going to use it as a starch alternative because Potatoes have lots of starch in them.
I didn't believe you because I thought I saw potato starch on the bottle, but actually you're right. Didn't know vodka could be made from something other than potatoes. Funny that it's also made in Idaho right in the zone where a lot of the potato production happens. LOL.
If you add a little vodka to your cornstarch solution, it won’t grow mold.
Thank you for the information. Loved this video.
Interesting. That's good to know. Thanks for watching!
That’s what I do too and it keeps a lot longer. And spray on the underside,then iron on top.
I use cornstarch and vodka together with a drop of my flavour perfume.
Wow. You get bonus points 👍👍👍for set-up and execution! A couple of thoughts, tho:
1. Faultless Spray Starch leaves no residue IF a) all spray is absorbed by the fabric before ironing, and b) fabric is only moistened, not saturated.
2. Mary Ellen's home recipe is 1/2 & 1/2 water and cheapest POTATO-based vodka. Unable to find anything labeled as such, I added 1 TBS potato starch to 2 cups hot water & nuked 2 minutes, cooled, then added 2 cups cheapest vodka. Acts just like Mary Ellen's, at about a fifth (pun, I know) of the price. Since it keeps my iron clean, it's what I use for yardage before piecing.
3. Spray n Bond Stiffener didn't wash out completely with one gentle wash; it took two for the baby quilt I used it on. YMMV.
4. There is an alternative to Purex liquid starch available online. It worked just like Purex for whole-cloth dipping. But it is so pricey that once gone, I won't replace it.
💕Once more, thanks for a great job! And Faultless Luxe Finish is new to me; I'll need to go find some for garments...
Thanks for the insights. Yeah, I was puzzled why my Niagara had that much residue. But it is an old bottle, so perhaps I should have shaken it in addition to not blasting. It's hard not to completely saturate such tiny block units.
I find the same types of issues. After a lot of frustrating testing I use SimpliStarch. I make a weaker solution and spray it on the wrong side of the fabric rather sparingly. The I let it set, not for long maybe half a minute, until the liquid is absorbed into the fabric. Then I turn down the temperature of the iron. Then I reapply for more stiffness. If I use too much or have the iron too hot it's not good.
Also if you use corn starch or any other "natural" starch be sure to wash it out of the fabric, especially if you are going to pack it away in a closet. Little creatures will love to eat all that "food" and it will not be detectable until you take it out much later and the damage will be done.
I appreciate the work you put into this and it helped me decide if I wanted to use some of these products. Thank you!
Hairspray never thought of that . Great video. Ive been looking for a more economic starch. I've got corn starch and had a few issues but im going to give it a try again . Thanks xx
I have been able to find a similar product to Best Press at Menards in their laundry section at a much cheaper price.
1. There’s a difference in the products, between the original Elmer’s Washable School Glue, and the Clear. These should both have been compared. Only the original should be used on fabric, if you want it to wash out fully.
2. Excellent scientific method! I would have liked to see a spreadsheet of data, but maybe I’m a geek. Lol.
What a GREAT video for those nerdy obsessed quilters (like myself) who really agonize over starch! I use "Flatter" diluted with about 1/3 water Only on seams. Although it comes with a sprayer & is available unscented--I use a small paintbrush so I can control it. It is expensive. I used to use the "Luxe" for overall starching before cutting but I have had nothing but trouble with defective spray tops so have been looking for an alternative. I was taught the Cornstarch method by my Great Grandmother, Grandmother, & Great Aunts, but after cleaning out their stashes after their passings--it can mold & attrack bugs & mice!! Cheap though! This is my 1st of your videos, so will be checking back on your channel. Thanks!!
Thank you for your input. I really appreciate it which I’m not familiar with quilting. I’m a beginner but I have thought about spraying some but I don’t think it’s a good idea to saturate your fabric. My thoughts on the matter.?
Very informative. Thank you for going to all the trouble so that we don’t have to. I usually use best press but I’m now considering trying some of these other options.
That was very interessting. Thank you for this great comparison
I love your thoughts on this demonstration, thank you. For all your information.!❤ keep them coming❤
Anything with corn starch should be allowed to dry BEFORE ironing (see directions on can). There will be no residue.
Il faut effectivement laisser sécher avant. Cela évitera aussi au fer de se retrouver complètement encrassé (et laisser de belles traces brunes sur le tissu la fois suivante)
Awesome. .this was so needed!
I prefer starching my fabric prior to cutting. Less raveling and more accurate cutting. Steam reactivates it after piecing
Great video I found it very informative.
Great video. Thanks for doing it!
I always spray with water, and one of the heavy or luxe aresol starches and then allow it to dry. Then iron with steam. There is no residue even on dark colors, and it also pre shrinks the fabric. Once starched, steam reactivates each time you press a seam. Starching or even steam pressing, after you cut, can often cause you to lose 1/4 to 3/8 inch over 5 inches in the cross grain. Because the length wise grain doesn't shrink, none of your points will line up.
Fully starched and pressed fabric will also cut like a dream.
Terial is hard to get in Aus so I tried a diluted mix. Was pleasantly surprised at how good it still is and always dilute now.
I use 1/3 Mary Ellen 1/3 Terra Magic 1/3 distilled water. Great and prevents raveling
I have also heard it taught that if you spray the starch and then wait for it to sink into the fibers well, you wont have the residue on top.
thank you for this!😊
Acorn also makes an excellent product that can be used in a spray bottle or they have a fantastic battery operated bottle that is amazing. I also believe stay-Flo has been rebranded at a higher cost, new label craft magic spray.
Thanks for this info. I have been using Sta-Flo since childhood and have mourned its loss.
Nice video. I’ve been pretty happy with Simplistarch. I dunk and hang dry mostly. If I put it in a spray bottle I dilute a little more. Let it dry first a little and there won’t be any residue.
I dunk and then let the items dry flat or hanging to most of the way dry. I still get residue because the 10 to 1 ratio just has a lot of gritty stuff. I've taken to watering down to more like 15 to 1 on the starch powder for my dunk projects. Thanks for watching!
An interesting review. I don’t use any spray starch at all anymore, because of cost and residue (withe the exception of the Lux one). I only use the vodka and distilled water. I just make mine stronger on the vodka part. No residue at all and I get the amount of stiffness I want. Your comments about each one though were interesting.
I’m thinking that a five yo bottle of Niagra might tend to have nozzle problems. 😊. Maybe a nozzle rinse would clear that up.
This is a most AWESOME and thorough review! I’ve been using Niagra for decades and like the “classic” fragrance but not a big fan of florals. If it says linen scent I’m in.
Thank you for this great product review!!!
I did wipe some scum off the nozzle when I retrieved it from the under sink clutter of typical chemicals and did a few sprays into the sink in case of the line was clogged. I've speculated in another comment that I might have needed to shake it up a bit to not have that much residue because I remember it having some residue but not nearly to the extent that happened when I filmed. Thanks for watching!
I have used Terrill magic a lot. The instructions tell you to let the solution soak into the fabric for a few minutes before ironing. When I do that, I get no residue on the fabric and none on my iron either.
Thanks. Interesting experiment. There are many videos with recipes but not too many with testing, especially testing as many options as you have done. I am inspired to do my own testing since I often wonder if rice water would work well? I soak my basmati rice or at least rinse it and the water is starchy. Worth a try though I would not let it sit since it is food and would spoil.
I use the water from washing my rice to water my pot plants! They love it. 😊
@ I will have to try this.
Yes interesting, I’ve learned a trick or two. Also learned what not to do. Testing with water, your technique is perfect. Spray starch, I’d never spray the front side and press the hot iron onto the web fabric. I am a starcher, avid starcher. Love my clapper buy a crisp fabric to start with is better at the sewing machine.
I'm late to the party on tailor's clappers. They really are a game changer for pressing those flat seams.
If you are near Menards they have Best Press if you like it.
Nice video, thank you!
I use scentfree when going to workshops as a courtesy to other participants. I usually use best press but will be interested in your results
Hairspray will “waterproof” fabric. I used to spray (lightly and at a distance) my raincoat. Water beaded and rolled off.
Interesting. Thanks for watching!
Not sure what the composition of your vodka is, but it needs to be a potato vodka to work as a starch alternative since the potato provides the starch. Vodka made from other grains won’t do much. I recently started using potato vodka and distilled water and love it!
I use magic premium quilting and crafting spray from amazon. It’s the best product I’ve ever used.
I put that one on my list last night to buy for a future starch review video. Thanks for watching!
I wasn't aware Sta-Flo was discontinued. I looked on their website and it says they would consider restarting production if enough customers contact them! So if anyone really wants the product, contact the company via their website. Thanks for this video..,,.
I have emailed them!
Luxe finish is my favorite starch.
The wrinkle releaser and the acorn pen are not starch methods. The pen is great for seams though
when i used some of these products, i noticed a very big shrinkage. Did you notice any shrinkage?
I didn't keep track on that metric as my half square triangles were not trimmed to any specific size. Interesting idea to incorporate into a possible future video though as I've certainly had shrinkage happen with the dry starch method in the past. Thanks for watching.
I’ve always been told to let the starch dry before pressing.
Great comparisons, thank you, ! I use the cirn starch.
I am interested in the amount of shrinkage each substance showed.
I find that diluting the trial magic one to one makes it not as paper like.
You didn’t include Vodka……my favorite
Yes I did. 18:22. And my latest video is testing 4 different vodka starches. Thanks for watching.
Never have I had that residue with Niagara
I usually have much less residue with Niagara. But I reported what happened in the experiment/test. Thanks for watching.
The residue is a non issue because it always washes out anyway.
Yes, I agree. But sometimes people have a reason for not washing like entering in a quilt show first to take full advantage of the flatness and to also avoid the possible color bleed from a first wash. I don't usually wash a quilt that goes into a quilt show until after I'm done with the quilt showing. Thanks for watching!
My word, darling, you have the same results if you were to get your fabric in a bowl of liquid starch, then to spray so much of it at a close range. 😊. The quilt piece is being saturated by the closeness of your spraying technique.!…
No doubt your demonstration and use of the spray would be much better if you’d have some distance between the spray nozzle and your fabric ..😊…. I don’t know if your demonstration is the best result of a demonstration 😢… God bless you.
Cost?
Go to 40:14 to see the cost of each method I tried. Thanks for watching.
I believe Sta-flo has been discontinued.
the liquid sta-flo that you mix your own? I will be sooo bummed
It has been discontinued and I will miss it when I use up mine. I have used it for years and don't know what I will replace it with.
I used to use it and have been trying to convince myself that I should trade in my Faultless Spray starch that it would be cheaper. I used to use it all the time. However, the cans of faultless Luxe are less than 2$ and is one of my cheapest supplies.
@@jamiepriese2213contact the company. If enough people do they might re start!
Sta Flo has went out of business
Thanks for the info. Didn't know that.
44 mins to cover this subject? Nope
This was edited down from well over double the time. I guess I just like to be thorough. LOL.
That’s why there is a 2x viewing option and you can fast forward. You can have it fast and those of us who like details can watch in real time. Thanks for a great video!!!
So rude, nobody’s making you watch it. What is WITH some people?? Would you say that to her face?? If you would, then you’re horrible, and if you would not, then don’t say it on the internet!!!!
@@jamieomahen2656 There's that and there's also the L for going forward 5 seconds and the J for going back 5 seconds if you're watching on a computer instead of a phone. I also decided to place chapters for anyone who wanted to skip a particular method or just jump to the conclusion, like another said. The data nerds like me can watch all the way through, everyone else can hopefully still find something useful with all the navigation provided in the chapter marks.
@@GettinStitchy you did a great job, haters are gonna hate. 😉🤪