I've tried using a steam iron and had nothing but problems with the irons spitting, leaking, and staining my fabric.
Then I tried unscented and lavender Best Press Spray. This is a product that I really like and use almost every time I quilt. It is called a "starch and sizing alternative".
When another product called Flatter was on sale, I thought I'd try it and see how it compares. This product is called a "smoothing spray" to relax wrinkles and freshen fabric.
I tried it on my Ringo Lake blocks and it was okay. The Flatter spray pump was not as user friendly and the spray was more of a fine mist. I definitely preferred to use the Best Press spray bottle with more product coming out with each squeeze. And I do think my blocks were flatter with the Best Press.
And how do the prices compare here in Canada?
Flatter was $13.00 for 248 ml minus 30% on sale and Best Press was $11.50 for 473 ml.
My only concern about the Best Press Spray is that the ingredients are not listed. I often wonder what's in this spray and why the ingredients aren't listed?
There are lots of recipes on line to make your own version of a pressing spray, but at this point I am not motivated enough to try making my own. Also the recipes use Vodka, which I'd rather drink than spray on my quilts!
And speaking of drinking, it's Friday Night Sew In and some of my friends are coming over to sew tonight. It has been a long week, so I hope I can stay awake!
Best Press is a great product but I'd like to know what the ingredients are as it makes me cough every time I use it.
ReplyDeleteLove unscented Best Press. I, too, prefer its trigger to Flatter's. I buy the gallon size refill online so it's not so pricey. I've also added a small amount of water to stretch it just a bit, with no negative impact on the results. Niagara spray sizing is great, too, but it seems to spray in a wide circle and my ironing station is small.
ReplyDeleteI don't drink alcohol but your comments are FUNNY! I use Best Press also and am highly satisfied on results.
ReplyDeleteI cannot use Best Press as it makes me cough and I get all stuffy--so there must be something in there--right? i just use regular water (if anything!) on my blocks or just a bit of steam--I know, I know--that is a no no--but with string blocks on a muslin backing it doesn't stretch so much and makes them lay nice and flat. Hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteI use Niagara spray starch. I like my fabric to be stiff as a board! :)
ReplyDeleteSome people complain that it flakes on your fabric-- the key is to spray and lets it absorb prior to pressing.
Xoxo
when I use anything I just use plain old spray starch - never have a problem with it. I'll save the dollars saved for fabric and thread. I have just always looked on Best Press as another gimmick to take our money and make quilting an even more expensive hobby then it needs to be.
ReplyDeleteI like the Best Press better than starch, not as stiff and doesn't seem to leave a residue. I dilute it 50% with water and it still works just as well.
ReplyDeleteI don't use either and I'm not sure if they are available in the UK. I press my blocks but make sure the iron is clean and not likely to spit out yukky water before I start. I looked at the make your own recipes but like you decided I'd rather drink the vodka.
ReplyDeleteI’ve tried fabric sprays, including Best Press. When my Best Press bottle ran dry, I filled it with water, and that’s what works best for me. Just plain old cold tap water.
ReplyDeleteBest Press smells so nice but it’s too expensive. I guess because it’s not a consumable the ingredients don’t have to be listed. I use a very cheap iron and do use steam, but don’t wrestle to smash seams, inlet the steam do it. I’ve heard Vodka is cheap...
ReplyDeleteI do like my best press but use it only when stubborn wrinkles need to be gone. I have been experimenting with just a spray bottle of water. I don't want to put water in the iron so this is a good alternative. It seems to work great and the bonus is possible less damage to the iron.
ReplyDeleteHave fun with the girls tonight...very jealous I live too far away to join in!!
I use a dry iron, and keep a spray bottle of water by the ironing board. It works for me!
ReplyDeleteHmm, I've never heard of Flatter.
ReplyDeleteI use a dry iron as well, and I keep two spray bottles handy. One is water for when I just want to get rid of wrinkles or relax fibers. The other bottle is unscented Best Press (can't abide the scented ones). I mostly use it to stabilize and flatten mini blocks that won't lay flat without some persuading. Best Press is a great persuader.
I currently have both fluids in those newfangled spray bottles and I am really liking them so far.
I've heard great reviews about Flatter but have never used it. Love the Best Press but I dilute it with half water. There are so many things that trigger me to cough and get stuffy but not when diluting the Best Press. Patty Mc
ReplyDeleteI like Best Press too, but it is expensive. I make my own version with vodka. 1 shot of vodka for 1 cup of water and I add an essential oils for smell. Cheap vodka works great and will make a lot of spray. Give it a try!
ReplyDeleteI have several half used bottles of Best Press, but I quit using it because it turned my ironing board cover into a disgusting brown mess. I use plain water in a spray bottle. I don't like steam and never put water in my iron (a 25+ yr old Bernette). I also tried using spray starch on some batik charm squares only to have them shrink, and not even by the same amount on each side.
ReplyDeletePat
I occasionally use a pressing product, either Best Press, Sizing, or Starch. Depends on what I'm doing I guess, though I love the smell of Best Press!
ReplyDeleteI like the Best Press too but after buying two I decided to use a spray bottle of water. Too expensive. I used the Unscented because I didn't like the smells. Then I found that Niagra has their starch in a spray bottle and I like it and just purchased my second bottle. I never thought to dilute it with water but you can bet I will use that empty bottle and make a watered down version. I have a non-sewing friend who still irons everything and I gave her a bottle of the spray Niagra as a happy gift. It's the little things that count! Thanks for this post to share everyone's thoughts on this topic.
ReplyDeleteI used to use Best Press before I moved to Fl a couple years ago--but haven't boughten any since here--I have looked at it--but it just seems soo expensive now--I used to be able to use the Cherry one--but not sure they are making it any more--even the unscented one bothered me--so it's just plain water--
ReplyDeletenow I did just order and get in the mail the new spray bottle that 'Me and MY stitches' just showed on their blog site a couple weeks ago--it comes out in a nice mist form--which I like--though I find the bottle hard for me to grip--but am working on that--(if you come to my blog site and see your site on the left hand column and keep moving down you will see their post!)--
enjoy,di
I can see why the Flatter spray nozzle is harder to use. I like the trigger pump sprayer on Best Press. I don't use it often, just when things get stubbornly wrinkled. Since I usually spray a larger piece of fabric, cut it, and put some of it back into my stash, I decided that regular starch might attract bugs. Best Press is supposed to not be bug edible, but who knows?
ReplyDeleteI love Best Press. I use the lavender scent at home and have a small unscented bottle to use in our travel trailer. I recommend it to everyone.
ReplyDeleteI use Niagara in the spray bottle, not the can aerosol spray. I dilute it 1/3 starch and 2/3 water.
ReplyDeleteInteresting topic. I prefer unscented Best Press, yet fret over the obviously secrets ingredients. I have actually considered findng a chemist to evaluate, but I don’t know of any. Lol. Gosh, nevery thought of diluting Best Press. The spray bottle mentioned by commenter Di may be purchased at Sally’s Beauty Supply here in the states. I first saw it used by my hairdresser. It is an awesome fine mist sprayer which sprays quite fine and evenly.
ReplyDeleteI have some Best Press, but have never used it. I'm lucky in that my blocks seem to pretty flat from the get go. At least Trudy hasn't complained about quilting them!
ReplyDeleteI DO love Best Press, but agree with the pricey-ness. I found a gallon on sale at JoAnns and split it with a friend. I might try a homemade version. My friend is using one of those wool pressing mats and loves Loves LOVES hers. mine is arriving any day. I will let you know how that goes
ReplyDelete