Happy Summer everyone!  4-H quilt camp is coming up soon.  Stay tuned and maybe a photo of the happy participants with their quilts will appear next month.

Recently I have been working on a recipe for a fabric stiffener that is less stiff than commercial spray starches and one that doesn't flake or make a mess on the plate of iron.  Below is what I have developed.  I tested citric acid as a preservative instead of isopropyl alcohol but the spray flaked when pressed and made a mess on my iron.  I have only used cornstarch but in recipes, potato starch is a possible substitute at a one to one ratio so that might be tested in future batches.  I don't buy unbleached flour so I won't be trying it in future batches.   I know there is a recipe for ME's Best Press using potato based vodka and water but it's not allowed in 4-H so this is my solution and so far I am really liking better than non-aerosol starches I have purchased.  They are getting more and more expensive and usually flake if preventative measures are ignored.  

Just a side note, ME's Best Press is 6-7% unmodified cornstarch and the rest is water with an undisclosed additive.  I am supposing a preservative that has been approved as safe and requires no documentation.  Here is the sds:  https://www.wardrobesupplies.com/media/pdf/Mary_Ellens_best_press_sds.pdf

Fabric Stiffener

(softer finish than commercial spray starches & no flaking or messy iron)

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups boiling distilled water in a quart pan

1 T. cornstarch

2 T. distilled water (distilled to prevent discoloration from iron & minerals in water from rusty city pipes)

70% isopropyl alcohol (that is medical grade for first aide, prevents mold & flaking starch)

2 smaller spray bottles from the dollar store (1.5 -2 cups)

Bring a cup and a half water to boil (maybe two if less stiffness is desired).  In a small bowl or 1 cup measure, stir 2 T. distilled water into 1 T. cornstarch until smooth.  Stir cornstarch liquid into boiling water.  Reduce heat to a simmer and stir until cornstarch is well incorporated and the mixture is slightly thickened.  Cool to room temperature.  Put scant 1 T. alcohol in a spray bottle.  Add 1 cup of starch mixture.  Top off with ½ cup water.  Shake well and test.  More water can be added for less stiffness (may need a larger spray bottle) or add no water when filling the spray bottle for more stiffness.  Store remaining starch solution in a glass jar.  (Alcohol can be added for storage or store in fridge or freezer to retard mold until more is needed.)