COYOTEMAGIC

A Poster asked me to come back to this thread and explain how I use SCHOOL glue to baste my quilts. By basting I mean putting together the "sandwich". Top, batting, and backing are put together SCHOOL glue. Have never used spray glue.

I don't have the room to lay out a quilt to baste. I have a huge kitchen floor, but I also have 5 cats and 2 dogs. “Sandwiching” on the floor? Not happening. My design wall is made from corrugated plastic---old political posters. I use straight pins to pin up my blocks/quilt. I also use it to layout my work as I make the quilt "Sandwich"

First I pin up my backing. I stretch it taught and pin it down.

Next I pin my batting over the backing. I always make sure I have 3 extra inches of backing on all 4 sides (I usually do a “fold over” binding but that’s another post)
I then unpin one quarter of the quilt (I can do up to a full size on my wall) and apply a thin lines of SCHOOL glue about 3 inches apart up and down on the backing. I then fold the batting back into place, give it a pat, and let it set for a few minutes to set. I then do the same thing with the other 3 corners.

After the glue dries (about 30 min) I stretch my top over the batting and pin into place. I unpin on corner of the top, apply a thin line of SCHOOL glue about 6 inches apart from side to side on the batting, pin the top back down, give it a little pat, wait a few minutes and do the other 3 corners. I make these lines farther apart to keep the glue from being too thick in areas. (just like you get when a lot of seams come together)

I’ll let the quilt dry for an hour and then quilt it. Bind it. I’ve never had a problem with the needle going through the sandwich and glue.

When I’m done, I pop my quilt in my regular Home Depot Special washer on the gentle cycle cold water and wash as usual. All the glue is gone when I’m done.

I’m sure the same thing could be done over a table with a plastic tablecloth over it or even on your vinyl flooring, it’s got to be mopped anyway.

AshleyR

I love it! Thank you for sharing this! I can't wait to try it! I'm not having luck with any spray attaching to one of my sandwiches and I sent my hubby out for safety pins today. Luckily, he didn't do it, so I can ask him to get me some school glue instead!!!

Prism99

Wow. That's the first time I have seen this method described. I wonder if it works equally well with different types of batting. Suppose some test sandwiches would work that out.

I'll continue with 505 since it's always worked for me and it's very fast, but it's interesting to hear about other methods.

carol45

I am definitely going to try this next time. I have 2 questions for Coyotemagic:
1. Do you use the regular nozzle that comes with the Elmer's School Glue or do you use the fine one that Sharon Schamber uses for bindings?
2. Are you careful not to use glue right on top of another glue line in the lower section? I don't know if my question is clear. You make a 3"x3" grid of glue between the backing and the batting, and a 6"x6" grid between the batting and quilt top, right? I assume that you are careful that these grids are not on top of each other--I think you said something like that, but it wasn't entirely clear to me.
Thanks for taking the trouble to explain this--it sounds like something that can save a lot of sore knees and backs.
Carol

COYOTEMAGIC

Thank you ladies! This method works best for me and I've been doing it for years. I've tried "pin basting"---kept running over the danged things and breaking my needles. I tried the "basting gun"--poked holes that were to big for my liking. I tried the old tried and true thread basting----too slow.

1. Do you use the regular nozzle that comes with the Elmer's School Glue or do you use the fine one that Sharon Schamber uses for bindings?
I use the plain ol' orange nozzle that is on the top of the bottle

2. Are you careful not to use glue right on top of another glue line in the lower section? I don't know if my question is clear. You make a 3"x3" grid of glue between the backing and the batting, and a 6"x6" grid between the batting and quilt top, right? I assume that you are careful that these grids are not on top of each other--
Nah, I'm not careful about it at all. All my measurements of 3 or 6 inches apart are basicly "gues-timates" Overlapping is fine as long as there are no GLOBS of glue in one spot

Hope this helps. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have, were all here to learn from each other.

carol45

Thank you! Thank you!

LindaM

Was also asked to come back to confirm whether I am using glue for the whole quilt sandwich or just what ... I was referring to 'basting' as holding pieces together - binding, applique, matching seams. I've only ever used the washable school glue, for binding and perfectly placing seams and applique, not sandwiching the layers.

The *bottled*, washable school glue, that's what I use.

JUNEC

So are you using the white liquid glue with the twist open top?? Or glue sticks??

LindaM

Junec, I'm using the liquid glue, altho I've seen people post about using the glue sticks. The liquid glue with the twist tops can put down just teeny dots, which work very nicely. I've just found a clear gel washable school glue, also with the twist top, works well too!

COYOTEMAGIC

I use the white glue with the twisty top. But I use glue sticks if doing applique work were there are several layers coming together