TanyaL

I would definitely wash it out of my wall hangings. I would just use a different washing method, probably just soak them until the glue was dissolved, and then a couple of rinses, no agitation and lay flat to dry - or I would make the wall hangings able to withstand a regular washing. Heavy starch is not good for fabric over several years no matter where the fabric is. If these are seasonal wall hangings that you plan on discarding after a few seasons, don't worry. If they are something to keep then you need to get the starch/glue out of them.

memepat

Hi all, when I learn the glue method I was instructed that to keep down the yellowing and stiffing, it must be soaked/washed doesn't have to be agitated and rinsed. This was several years ago. Will keep watch of this thread in case things have changed.

pumpkinpatchquilter

Thank you for all of the advice - I appreciate it! The project I'm thinking of using this on is one that I would like to possibly enter into a show and it will be something that we keep indefinitely.

Maybe fabric glue would be safer? Just Elmer's is so darn inexpensive and we always have it around with three small children!

So far I've used glue as sparingly as I can to still achieve the desired effect, and I've not had much stiffness. I've read of people using Elmer's white glue and I could see where you'd get that because it dries hard...but the glue stick is more like a soft paste.

I took an applique class with a simply amazing lady who uses the heavy starch method. I noticed a good number of her quilts had yellowing - and this woman put HOURS upon hours into her quilts...she even recorded the times she put into them. At the time I was pretty new to quilting - I went home and tried her method only to burn my fingers fingers (resulting in lots of swearing, stomping, and yelling) and stiff jagged appliques. Never again!!! Lol*

I think you're right, for heirloom pieces I think I'm going to soak them. Thank you!

gramajo

I use Elmer's School Glue that I buy for $1 at Dollar General; it's cheaper than the glue stick and easier for me to apply. There have been posts on here about people looking for nozzles, but I find I don't need one--I just open the Elmer's nozzle enough to get a small line of glue out. I also wash all my projects in the machine on gentle cycle. It's easier on me. I'm lazy and don't want to spend the time hand washing/soaking and then giving it several rinses. The machine is much easier/less time-consuming for lazy me.