Notwendy

I like Best Press (Linen Scent) mainly for the smell. I don't think it is much of a starch, as steam would probably work just as well on any wrinkles. However, people swear by it so your mileage may vary. And the Linen scent is good enough to make me iron sheets for the first time in my life!

Stayflo is great (you can control the strength), as is the heavy duty Faultless in a can. I also make my own out of boiling water, corn starch mixed well with cool water to add to the boiling water and vodka (prevents mold - even potato vodka isn't a starch) at the end. If you use a cheap, flavored vodka, you get a nice scent as well. I don't mind any flaking as I glue baste and have to wash everything anyway.

Peckish

Well of course your LQS recommended it - they sell it, right?

In my opinion, you get the same results from both Best Press and regular starch purchased at the grocery store. The choice is totally up to you.

nvb50

I use stay Sta-flo on a 1:1 basis as well on all my fabric.

JAGSD

I prefer the Best Press Unscented. I have tried just steam and it just doesn't do it. The walmart heavy spray is much too flaky for me....

elizajo

I cut and pieced a 60 degree triangle quilt last month and tried heavy starch for the first time to prevent stretching. I used three applications of canned heavy starch from the grocery store so that the fabric got paper-stiff. I would spray, smoothing the fabric while working the starch into the fibers with the palms of my hands. Then I flipped the fabric and ironed from the wrong side. It worked very well to stabilize the fabrics and it didn't flake. Downside was that I got tendonitis in my right hand from holding that heavy can for several hours! Oh, and it took three cans of starch for a large crib quilt.

Next time I will mix Sta-Flow in a smaller spray bottle.

Bobbielinks

I just finished the disappearing hourglass, (which several people on this board hesitate to make because of the bias edges)
. I used Sta-Flo starch. I purchase the concentrate and mix it with water about 2 parts water to one part starch. Put in a spray bottle; Works very well.

Prism99

elizajo, I would recommend not using spray at all next time. I avoid all kinds of spray bottles because of the repetitive stress they put on the hands. Here is my method for starching.

I mix a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo and water in a bowl, then I use a large wall painting brush to "paint" the starch onto the yardage. I use my kitchen island for this, as the island is a good height. I allow a couple of minutes for the fabric fibers to absorb the starch, then toss the yardage in the dryer. Later I iron with steam (steam re-activates the dry starch in the fabric).

I can treat many yards of fabric in less than 30 minutes this way, including cleanup of my kitchen island. I have tried using all Sta-Flo and no water, but that is way too goopy for me; half water and half Sta-Flo give me the results I want. You can add more or less water to suit the result you are going for. The wall painting brush cost me a couple of dollars at Walmart, and it cleans up in about a minute under running water.

Sta-Flo is widely available in the laundry section of the grocery store. It comes in a blue quart-size plastic jug, often on the lowest shelf in the store (probably because it's not a high volume item).

Daylesewblessed

Last month I found 2 bottles of Best Press at an estate sale for cheap. It was my first time to try it, and I am sold. Last week I cut some inner borders for my 90 year old mother, and they were a little stretchy, since they were not on the lengthwise grain of the fabric like she wants them. The Best Press worked great to remove the stretch!

elizajo

Thanks, Prism99! I will use the "painting" technique for sure. That avoids holding a heavy object and squeezing at the same time.

I'm having to evaluate all of my repetitive tasks to avoid strain. I've found that my worst offender is the mouse for my new desktop computer. My old ergonomic one didn't "speak" Windows 8, so I haven't replaced it. I tried hand quilting a few nights ago, and my hand felt weak and strange, but didn't get sore. My rotary cutter may need to be replaced, too.

Windblown

Myself I think that comparing sizing to starch is like comparing Apple to Orange.
Best Press and sizing being on one side and starch on the other.
I use starch to cut and a sizing to press if steam won't get the problem solved.

Best Press smells great, but I would rather use my quilting $ to buy expensive fabric!