Magic Premium Quilting and Crafting Spray is a versatile product that is essential for quilters and crafters. This spray is designed to provide a temporary bond between fabrics and other craft materials, making it easier to work with and ensuring precise and accurate results. One of the key features of Magic Premium Quilting and Crafting Spray is its temporary nature. Unlike other adhesives or sprays, this product doesn't leave a permanent residue on the fabric or material. It allows you to temporarily bond pieces together, such as quilt layers or fabric for appliqué, without the worry of residue or damage. This spray is also ideal for basting quilts.
There are so many different quilt batting options available so I wanted to share a few of my favorites.
Every once in a while there will be a little spot of build up on my needle but it isn t leaving my needle sticky and it certainly isn t affecting the quilting. Every once in a while there will be a little spot of build up on my needle but it isn t leaving my needle sticky and it certainly isn t affecting the quilting.
This spray is also ideal for basting quilts. Quilting requires precision and accuracy, and this spray helps to hold the layers of a quilt together, preventing shifting and puckering during the quilting process. It eliminates the need for traditional basting methods, such as pins or thread, making the quilting process faster and more efficient.
What type of spray starch to use for quilting?
Spray starch has become a hot topic in the quilting community over the last few years. I have become a fan of using starch to prepare my fabric for cutting and piecing, but there are so many choices! So what type of spray starch should you use for quilting? And maybe you’re wondering why starch at all?
I’ve done some research and I’ll give you the facts (as I know them to be) on the different types of spray starch and the advantages/disadvantages of each. Let me start by talking about why I think it’s a good idea to starch your fabric when quilting.
Reasons to use spray starch
- It stabilizes the grains of the fabric
- It adds stiffness to the fabric
- It allows for more control when cutting and piecing
- It helps you maintain better accuracy
- Seams stay pressed in the direction you want them
- Makes the machine quilting process smoother and easier
I think of it as the difference between working with tissue paper vs. construction paper. It’s going to be much easier to cut something from construction paper than it is from tissue paper and you’ll get a more accurate result as you work with it.
Starch vs. sizing
First, I’d like to talk about the difference between starch and sizing. They are very similar, but not necessarily interchangeable. Commercial spray starch such as Niagara or Faultless is made from a grain (either wheat, rice or corn) and is used to add stiffness to fabric. It will also hold a crease in place like nobody’s business. Sizing includes a plastic-based solution that allows it to adhere to synthetic fibers. It’s used extensively in the garment industry to add body to fabric without becoming stiff and it reduces wrinkling during wear. Most fabric on the bolt is treated with sizing at some point during the manufacturing process.
Spray Starch
The advantage of using spray starch (whether homemade or commercial) is that it adds stiffness to your fabric. This can be really helpful when you prepare your fabric for cutting and piecing. It will make your cuts more accurate and it will be easier to sew and match seams. When you press your seams either open or to the side, you’ll find that your seams press easier and become flatter. It’s also relatively inexpensive, especially if you make your own.
The disadvantage of spray starch is that it can gunk up your iron and pressing surface. It can also produce white flakes after ironing and it can attract silverfish (I’ve never had that happen). I use a piece of muslin over my pressing surface that I can wash when it becomes discolored or stiff. I only starch the amount of fabric that I’m going to use and I do so just before using it. If you allow the starch to penetrate into the fibers before pressing, you’ll reduce or eliminate the flaking that might occur.
Sizing
Sizing such as Magic Sizing can add body to your fabric without it becoming too stiff. It won’t leave much residue on your iron or pressing surface and it doesn’t flake like starch does. If you prefer your fabric to be wrinkle free but not so stiff, this may be the right product for you.
The disadvantage of sizing is that it doesn’t give as much stiffness to your fabric (if that’s what you prefer). It might contain chemicals such as formaldehyde that would be undesirable to work with or to have in a quilt.
Best Press
Mary Ellen’s Best Press is a spray starch alternative and it has become really popular with quilters. It’s more like sizing than starch in its stiffness ability. It’s hard to find information about what’s inside that pretty bottle, but it’s touted as being environmentally friendly and it makes fabric soil resistant. It comes in many wonderful scents as well as unscented. It’s a non-aerosol product that doesn’t clog up the nozzle or flake like starch can.
The biggest complaint I hear about Best Press is the cost. One 16.9 oz. spray bottle costs $7.95 at your local quilt shop. You can find one-gallon refills on Amazon for $38.65 (affiliate link). If you’re trying to make your fabric stiff, this may not be the best choice.
Flatter – Smoothing Spray
Flatter is a starch-free smoothing spray that acts very similarly to Best Press and sizing. It relaxes wrinkles, freshens fabric and leaves it static-free. This eco-friendly product is made in Canada by Soak, and it’s phosphate-free, dye-free and biodegradable. It also comes in many wonderful scents and is formulated to be easy on sensitive skin.
The main drawback of Flatter is it’s ability to add stiffness to fabric. It’s a lightweight in that department (although that may be what you’re looking for). It’s also one of the most expensive options at $12 per 8.4 oz. bottle. If you don’t like to shop online, it may not be so easy to find at your local quilt shop or market.
Terial Magic
Terial Magic is the new kid on the block and it’s a very powerful liquid fabric stabilizer. It comes in a non-aerosol spray bottle and there are refill sizes available as well. The advantage of this product is that is makes your fabric paper-like and fray-free. It’s great to use in applique projects, die-cut machines, to stabilize embroidery projects and to run your fabric through an inkjet printer without the use of freezer paper. I’ve used it in one project and it really did make the piecing extremely accurate and easy.
The main disadvantage of Terial Magic is that it takes more time to prepare the fabric and it’s messy. The instructions say to saturate the fabric to the point of dripping wet. Then you need to hang it to dry just until damp and then you iron it. The cost is also a factor – it sells for $12.95 for a 16 oz. spray bottle. Even still, I think it’s a versatile product that might be nice to have on hand for certain projects.
How to use starch products to prepare your fabric for quilting
- Work with just the amount of fabric that you need for a project. It doesn’t matter if you’ve pre-washed it or not. If I’m working with a large piece of fabric, I’ll cut it into manageable chunks (unless it’s for a lengthwise border).
- Shake the starch bottle well.
- Spray the starch product onto the right side of the fabric. Note: It doesn’t matter too much which side of the fabric you spray. I like to start on the right side so that when I press on the opposite side, any flakes or scorch marks that might occur will happen on the wrong side of the fabric.
- Fold the fabric in half or thirds with the starch sides together and “mush” or pat the fabric together so that it penetrates the fibers. If I’m preparing a lot of fabric pieces, I’ll do this step for all of them and set each piece aside.
- Press the fabric on the wrong side (opposite of the side you sprayed) using a wool or cotton setting depending on how hot your iron runs (we don’t want to scorch). Do this step gently because you’ll be producing steam as you iron and you don’t want to distort the fabric.
- Repeat this process if you want your fabric stiffer.
- Fold your fabric in half or drape over a hanger. I don’t like to make any creases at the fold line if I can help it.
I have heard that if you starch your backing fabric, it will glide more easily as you machine quilt it. I did this a long time ago and I think it worked. I’ve gotten out of the habit (lazy girl), but I think it would be worth a try.
I don’t presume to know everything about this topic, so if you have any suggestions or comments, please share. I’ll be back soon with a recipe to make your own spray starch at home! Happy pressing!
Flatter is a starch-free smoothing spray that acts very similarly to Best Press and sizing. It relaxes wrinkles, freshens fabric and leaves it static-free. This eco-friendly product is made in Canada by Soak, and it’s phosphate-free, dye-free and biodegradable. It also comes in many wonderful scents and is formulated to be easy on sensitive skin.
Crafters will also find this spray incredibly useful for a variety of projects. Whether you're working on scrapbooking, card making, or any other craft that involves sticking materials together, Magic Premium Quilting and Crafting Spray provides a clean and precise bond. It is especially ideal for delicate materials, such as paper or vellum, as it doesn't leave any marks or residue. Additionally, this spray is repositionable, allowing you to adjust or reposition materials without damaging them. If you're not happy with the placement of a fabric or paper piece, simply lift it off and re-stick it in the desired position. This feature ensures that your projects can be completed with perfection, even if you need to make adjustments along the way. Magic Premium Quilting and Crafting Spray is also easy to use. Simply apply a light mist onto the fabric or material, let it dry for a few seconds, and press the pieces together. It dries quickly and doesn't leave any sticky or wet residue, making it a convenient and mess-free option for quilters and crafters. In conclusion, Magic Premium Quilting and Crafting Spray is a must-have product for anyone involved in quilting or crafting. Its temporary bond, ease of use, and repositionable nature make it an invaluable tool for achieving precise and accurate results. Say goodbye to traditional basting methods and adhesive residue - with this spray, you can take your quilting and crafting projects to the next level..
Reviews for "Enhancing Creativity: Unlocking the Potential of Magic Premium Spray"
1. Jennifer - 1 star - I was really disappointed with the Magic premium quilting and crafting spray. I had heard great things about it, so I had high expectations. However, when I used it on my fabric, it left a sticky residue that was nearly impossible to remove. It also had a strong chemical smell that was overwhelming. I ended up having to rewash my fabric and start over with a different spray. I would not recommend this product to anyone.
2. Mark - 2 stars - I was not impressed with the Magic premium quilting and crafting spray. First of all, the nozzle on the bottle was defective and it sprayed unevenly, making it difficult to get an even coat on my fabrics. Secondly, even after applying multiple coats, the spray did not provide the desired level of stiffness for my quilting project. It also took a long time to dry, which was frustrating. Overall, I was disappointed with this product and would not purchase it again.
3. Jessica - 1 star - I had high hopes for the Magic premium quilting and crafting spray, but it fell short of my expectations. The spray nozzle was not user-friendly and would often clog, making it difficult to get a smooth application. Additionally, the spray left visible marks on my fabric, no matter how carefully I applied it. The stiffness it provided was not long-lasting, and I found myself having to constantly reapply the spray. Overall, I was not satisfied with this product and would not recommend it for quilting or crafting projects.