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Which one! (Moderated by Deepika)
Posted on: 4/25/19 5:56 PM ET
I am in need of some advice here. I usually buy Sullivan's Fabric stabilizer spray to stiffen up my rayon's and shifty fabrics. But Amazon doesn't seem to sell it anyone and I have no idea if and/or when it will come back around so I need to find something else. I have read a couple reviews for Best Press or Niagara spray but wasn't sure if they work in the same way as Sullivan's.
When I would use the Sullivan's, I would wash and dry my fabric, iron it and then hang it up over my shower rod. I would then spray it down and let it sit for about 20 mins or until dry. The fabric would become stiffer and easier to work with.
Can anyone tell me if either of the two alternatives work this way as well? Thank you all in advance!
When I would use the Sullivan's, I would wash and dry my fabric, iron it and then hang it up over my shower rod. I would then spray it down and let it sit for about 20 mins or until dry. The fabric would become stiffer and easier to work with.
Can anyone tell me if either of the two alternatives work this way as well? Thank you all in advance!
Posted on: 4/25/19 9:47 PM ET
I haven't used Sullivans (but now I feel like I need to experiment! LOL), but I have used Best Press, Faultless spray starch, and Magic Sizing (also from Faultless), and of the three, I like the Magic Sizing best, followed by the starch. The Best Press is my least favorite (it seems to do less than the other two, and it costs a fortune. I also prefer the even spray of the aerosol over the pump sprayer on the Best Press). The Magic Sizing seems to give the best balance of crispness without residue. And I like the way it smells--a fresh laundry sort of scent.
Caveats: I primarily use starch for quilting cottons, and haven't used it as much on slippery garment fabrics. And I generally do my starching at the ironing board--spray the yardage down, and press the damp fabric. Elona recently suggested starching and not ironing to retain the most crispness, but I've not yet tried that. I will need more Magic Sizing first!
Magic Sizing should be available at your grocery store, for about $3. So if you don't love it, there's not much to lose.
Looking forward to all the responses!
Good luck!
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Caveats: I primarily use starch for quilting cottons, and haven't used it as much on slippery garment fabrics. And I generally do my starching at the ironing board--spray the yardage down, and press the damp fabric. Elona recently suggested starching and not ironing to retain the most crispness, but I've not yet tried that. I will need more Magic Sizing first!
Magic Sizing should be available at your grocery store, for about $3. So if you don't love it, there's not much to lose.
Looking forward to all the responses!
Good luck!
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~Elizabeth in the prairie
More Plans than Sense
PR's Most Relentless Babbler 2024
More Plans than Sense
PR's Most Relentless Babbler 2024
Posted on: 4/25/19 10:45 PM ET
In reply to stirwatersblue
I’ve tried Best Press, and found the results limp and sad.
My go-to is spray-on Faultless or Niagara, whichever is handiest at the market. It’s cheap, fast, and easy to use. Although it can clog or drip a little, I don’t find that much of a problem on 3 yards of slippery rayon out on the patio.
-- Edited on 4/26/19 at 1:07 PM --
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My go-to is spray-on Faultless or Niagara, whichever is handiest at the market. It’s cheap, fast, and easy to use. Although it can clog or drip a little, I don’t find that much of a problem on 3 yards of slippery rayon out on the patio.
-- Edited on 4/26/19 at 1:07 PM --
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Elona
Re: Sullivans VS. Best Press VS. Niagara (posted on 4/26/19 1:02 AM ET)
Magic Sizing - works well. It's what I use. I keep it next to the ironing board.
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My Herd: Bernina 790 Plus Upgrade, Bernina 735, Babylock Triumph, Bernina Record 931. Sewing Makes My Crazy Life Normal.
Member #25631
Member #25631
Posted on: 4/26/19 1:54 AM ET
If the purpose is to starch the heck out of the rayon I vote for Niagra heavy duty spray starch. It clogs though.
I either make my own or add liquid starch to my rinse water (old agitator model) or you could add it to a bucket of water in a sink. Then soak and wring or spin out.
I don't boil my cornstarch but I recall my mom doing that on laundry day.
Found this article to make your own. The vodka looks interesting!
-- Edited on 4/26/19 at 2:01 AM --
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I either make my own or add liquid starch to my rinse water (old agitator model) or you could add it to a bucket of water in a sink. Then soak and wring or spin out.
I don't boil my cornstarch but I recall my mom doing that on laundry day.
Found this article to make your own. The vodka looks interesting!
-- Edited on 4/26/19 at 2:01 AM --
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Needlework brings joy and meaning to my life...member of ASG
Now using: Singer 301, Pfaff 6152 & BL Enlighten serger
Now using: Singer 301, Pfaff 6152 & BL Enlighten serger
Posted on: 4/26/19 4:06 AM ET
I use the Best Press LOL! Starch can scorch and since I quilt a bit too is bad as critters like it. Best press is not delicious to the creepy crawlies.
I also prefer using a pump sprayer over an aerosol for environmental reasons.
I also prefer using a pump sprayer over an aerosol for environmental reasons.
Posted on: 4/26/19 8:36 AM ET
You can also try Terial Magic. - frequently available in quilt or sewing stores.
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Singer 66-16. Singer 600e, Kenmore 158.1913 , Viking 1100, Brother PR1000!, Bernina 930, Bernina 1130,
Babylock Evolve, 2 Featherweights ,Pfaff Performance Icon,Janome Coverpro 1000CPX
Babylock Evolve, 2 Featherweights ,Pfaff Performance Icon,Janome Coverpro 1000CPX
Re: Sullivans VS. Best Press VS. Niagara (posted on 4/30/19 12:01 PM ET)
Hi all!
First let me say a super big thank you to anyone who made a suggestion to my question. After looking over all the reviews on Amazon I decided to go with Terial Magic as the care instructions looked pretty close to those on the Sullivan's.
Yesterday I sprayed down some left over rayon with the Terial magic and let it dry. I didn't iron the piece after the spray down. It was nice in stable, felt like quilt cotton. It did leave come splashes on my fabric, like water marks. Today I tossed it in the washer with my laundry and it came out soft and clean. The spray didn't discolor the fabric in anyway. I am pretty happy with this as a replacement for Sullivan's in case anyone else it searching for a replacement.
First let me say a super big thank you to anyone who made a suggestion to my question. After looking over all the reviews on Amazon I decided to go with Terial Magic as the care instructions looked pretty close to those on the Sullivan's.
Yesterday I sprayed down some left over rayon with the Terial magic and let it dry. I didn't iron the piece after the spray down. It was nice in stable, felt like quilt cotton. It did leave come splashes on my fabric, like water marks. Today I tossed it in the washer with my laundry and it came out soft and clean. The spray didn't discolor the fabric in anyway. I am pretty happy with this as a replacement for Sullivan's in case anyone else it searching for a replacement.
Re: Sullivans VS. Best Press VS. Niagara (posted on 5/1/19 7:28 AM ET)
I thought Terial made the fabric stiff like paper how did you use it or why did you feel/want it.did you cut up the fabric , sew something & the wash it
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Merry sews
Re: Sullivans VS. Best Press VS. Niagara (posted on 5/1/19 9:04 AM ET)
I am curious about the vodka starch. Nowadays vodkas are not always made from potatoes just from grain. Whatever that is!
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