I think spending the money on BEST PRESS was ludicrous, that was why I tried the DRYEL SPRAY STARCH ALTERNATIVE.. it has several nice smells.

I still use spray starch from the grocery store for most of my work. I have stay-flow in my pantry too, but I tend to loose / break my spray bottle. (hubby steals it, go figure) ... What I use all depends upon what I feel is needed by the quilt blocks/ project. Also I never take my BEST PRESS or Dryel out of the house to a class... to many sneaky quilter thieves want to use it up.

I dilute the Sta-Flo to 2:1 (water:starch). This is even cheaper, less flaking and mess on the iron, and I still get the crispness I want.

Maggie in E. Central Illinois

I, too, love the aroma from Best Press, but I find that it really doesn't give me the crispness that I use a spray starch for. In addition, it isn't very good for ironing under the edges for applique (see Alex's heart demo in the last show).
I have been the most pleased with Kroger heavy duty spray starch. No need to buy a name brand here for me.

I just use plain old Niagara from the grocery store. True, if I get too impatient and iron right after I spray it flakes, but if I wait a bit and let it soak in and then turn it upside down to iron it, it doesn't flake. I've been happy with it for a long time.

Hi Lynn! I use the Sta-Flo and mix it about half and half in a spray bottle. Upside-very cheap and I control the "starchiness". Downside-it builds up on my iron. However the iron cleans up kinda easy. I put a majik eraser on a dish towel, spray the eraser with water to get it good and wet, and then scrub my hot iron over it until it gets clean.
Sherry

Sherry, what to use when mixing your own?

I usually use Magic Spray Sizing and, if super stiffness is needed, spray starch.

On my last quilt, I tried Best Press instead and ended up having to re-press all my blocks with sizing.

I love the small of that lavender Best Press, but it just doesn't give my blocks the stability I want when I am piecing.

Sorry, but I'm moving back to sizing and starch.

BethMI

I like the Dryel but it's a little pricey for me. I've been mixing my own lately when I need a good stiff finish.
Sherry
PS- The Dryel smells so good!

I like the Best Press but what I do is dilute it 50%, thus giving me twice as much product, which reduces the cost. The product still works as well.

My GF sings the praises of Best Press for quilting... I personally think $6 plus a bottle for a starch is over the top...

I found DRYEL SPRAY STARCH ALTERNATIVE at Walmarts for less than $3.00 ( 27 ounces so you get more) and it seems to do the same thing... no flaking, no residueclogging of the sprayer, smells nice too.... Finish is just like starch / BEST PRESS.

Has anyone else tried this product and compared it to BEST PRESS ???

WHAT DO YOU THINK????

Any other product out there that you find just as good but cheaper.... I still like old fashion starch ... spray and liquid for a lot of projects.