Product Description
Best Press - Linen Fresh
6 fl oz (177ml) & 16 fl oz (473ml)
Mary Ellen’s Best Press is a clear, reliable pressing spray loved by quilters, garment makers and bag makers who want crisp results without the drawbacks of traditional starch. The Linen Fresh scent brings a clean, just-laundered fragrance that is light, unobtrusive, and perfectly suited to everyday use at home, in classes, and in shared studio spaces.
This product page now offers both the 6 oz and 16 oz sizes, giving you the option to choose the bottle that best suits your sewing routine.
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The 6 oz bottle is ideal for workshops, retreats, travel sewing and trying out the scent.
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The 16 oz bottle provides excellent value for regular makers, offering more product for long sessions of piecing, pressing and block preparation.
Best Press is formulated to solve the issues caused by old-style aerosol starches. It dries clear, minimising any risk of white flaking or chalky residue on dark fabrics, and helps your iron glide smoothly without sticking or gumming up. The gentle sizing effect adds just enough body to your fabric to support cutting accuracy and seam control — without leaving the cloth stiff or brittle. For patchworkers, that means calmer bias edges, sharper points, and blocks that stay beautifully square. For dressmakers, it supports crisp hems, collars and facings, and reduces distortion as you handle pattern pieces at the machine.
The lightweight formula includes a mild stain-shield additive that helps fabric resist light, everyday marks during handling and construction — particularly helpful for pale fabrics or projects that get moved around your workspace frequently.
Quilters often use Best Press in two ways: a light mist before rotary cutting to stabilise the fabric, followed by another gentle spray when pressing seam allowances to keep blocks neat and flat. It’s equally useful for preparing bias binding, turned-edge appliqué and English paper piecing, as well as giving quilt tops a final tidy press before layering and basting. On natural fibres such as cotton and linen, Linen Fresh encourages creases to release quickly under a hot, dry iron and leaves the cloth smooth and supple rather than overly stiff.
Both bottle sizes feature a comfortable trigger-style spritzer that delivers a consistent, even mist, allowing you to build finish gradually rather than saturating the fabric. The scent is intentionally delicate — clean and warm as you press, then fading to a soft trace once the fabric cools — making it pleasant to use around others and suitable for sensitive noses. As with any finishing product, test on a scrap first, especially on blends, deep colours, or items that won’t be washed often.
Store upright, keep the nozzle wiped clean, and you’ll have a dependable, everyday pressing companion that improves accuracy at the cutting table and helps you achieve a calm, polished finish throughout every project.
Other Details
How Makers Use It
- Mist quilting cotton before cutting for accurate, fray-resistant strips.
- Set seams and square blocks during piecing for a flat, true finish.
- Prepare bias binding and appliqué shapes to hold crisp folds.
- Refresh quilt tops and garments before layering or final pressing.
- Add gentle body to collars, cuffs, plackets and bag tabs.
Practical Tips
- Shake lightly; apply a fine mist and press with a hot, dry iron.
- Build finish in thin passes rather than saturating the fabric.
- Test colourfastness and finish on an off-cut, especially with blends.
- Wipe the nozzle occasionally to maintain a smooth, even spray.
- Store upright and away from heat or direct sunlight.
