homemade spray starch
07-17-2013, 09:50 AM
#11
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Southeast Wisconsin
Posts: 1,070
How can you starch something when STARCH is not an ingredient?
Is alcohol the secret ingredient in Best Press?
Would gin work?
I have Niagara in the 'bad' aerosol can - both regular and extra-firm - but I only use it when I can see that some little piece is going to go really really awhack. Or on those pesky fold creases off the bolt which won't go for steam.
I just press cut piece join quilt! Will things go better with vodka? real starch?
Forgive me but have only quilted a couple years and still exploring techniques. thanks!
Is alcohol the secret ingredient in Best Press?
Would gin work?
I have Niagara in the 'bad' aerosol can - both regular and extra-firm - but I only use it when I can see that some little piece is going to go really really awhack. Or on those pesky fold creases off the bolt which won't go for steam.
I just press cut piece join quilt! Will things go better with vodka? real starch?
Forgive me but have only quilted a couple years and still exploring techniques. thanks!
////////////////
Vodka is made from potatoes, which are - tah dah! - starchy vegetables.
Gin won't work for starch.
I use cornstarch.
07-17-2013, 12:07 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 416
This is from Diane Gaudynski's website.
Try my recipe for spray starch for all your pressing/piecing needs. Produces a super flat stable quilt: Dissolve a half or one teaspoon of regular Argo cornstarch (in your cupboard probably) in a few tablespoons of cold water in a 2-cup Pyrex measuring cup/pitcher. Boil 1 cup of water and stir into the cornstarch, stirring constantly. Add enough cool water to make 2 cups total of the mixture. It will thicken slightly and turn from chalk white to translucent. 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. 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.
Try my recipe for spray starch for all your pressing/piecing needs. Produces a super flat stable quilt: Dissolve a half or one teaspoon of regular Argo cornstarch (in your cupboard probably) in a few tablespoons of cold water in a 2-cup Pyrex measuring cup/pitcher. Boil 1 cup of water and stir into the cornstarch, stirring constantly. Add enough cool water to make 2 cups total of the mixture. It will thicken slightly and turn from chalk white to translucent. 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. 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.
07-17-2013, 03:53 PM
#18
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 15,639
The secret ingredient is potato and vodka is potato-based. I make my own too: Cheap vodka, water, and lavender essential oil. My ratio is one part vodka to about 1.5 parts water and 2 or 3 drops of the oil. Works like a charm for me.
07-17-2013, 10:07 PM
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: North-Central Indiana
Posts: 4,909
I personally wouldn't use anything with food in it (like real corn starch, sta-flo, which I think has corn starch, etc). Too much temptation for bugs. Maybe if I was washing it shortly after but then if that was the case I wouldn't be starching or pressing it.
As for the vodka, if it's clear I doubt there's any starch left in it. From what I have read it starts out with starch but in the process of fermenting, the starch is converted to sugars.
As for the vodka, if it's clear I doubt there's any starch left in it. From what I have read it starts out with starch but in the process of fermenting, the starch is converted to sugars.
07-18-2013, 09:57 AM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Kauai, Hawaii
Posts: 376
My recipe -- 2 oz. vodka, 2 c. DISTILLED water (tried it once using regular and didn't quite get the same result). Found this recipe either on the QB or via Google search as Best Press would have to buy from Amazon and ship here. Works pretty good, use on all my ironing for smooth finish, no stiffness to it.
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