Industry Products

Beginning this issue...the Batting Buds review new products.

BATTING BUDS BAILIWICK:
Testing New Industry Products!

Batting Buds isn’t a softball team. It’s nine women who each participated in Stitchin’ Mission beginner quiltmaking classes in West Des Moines, IA. After several months of get-togethers, they now meet at least monthly.

The Batting Buds’ name reflects their values. It’s what’s inside that counts. Their friendship is a necessary to them as quilt batting is to a quilt. Similarly, as buddies (“buds” for short) they value the “inside” of each other, and appreciate how each helps shape the others’ lives.

Batting Buds tested Mary Ellen’s Best Press lavender-scented pump spray (non-aerosol) starch. Details of the product are to the right. Here’s what the Batting Buds had to say ...

“The label says ‘Mary Ellen makes ironing fun (almost).’ After testing it, I would say I’m definitely more willing to stand at my ironing table! The starch smells good enough to eat, but I’d rather use it to press my pre-washed quilt fabrics and finished tops and backs.”
--Linda Hungerford

“Because it’s a lighter starch, I like how it presses. When I accidentally pressed a wrinkle into my quilting fabric, the wrinkle pressed out better than when using my usual spray starch.”
--Kim Ogle

“Mary Ellen’s Best Press had a nice, even spray that gave my fabric body without being stiff. The smell of lavender made the tedious job of ironing more refreshing. I liked that the scent still lingered even after I folded up my fabric.”
--Susan Murdock

“I like this for pressing my quilt block seams as I sewed. I’d use Mary Ellen’s on my clothes too, like blouses. Even though I don’t usually iron pillowcases, I might do that just to have the great scent.”
--Erika Horstmann

“I recommend using it to press your quilting fabrics before you cut and sew. Press block seams as you go using the steam from your iron. Then, give the finished block a final press with spray. And how about giving Mary Ellen’s starch as a gift? Quilters will love the delicate scent.”
--Linda Lack

Reprinted from SQE Professional, May 2007