Thread: Elmer's school glue for binding

Might have to try this method she makes it look so easy but it will probably take a little practice.

Originally Posted by Grandma Peg

Might have to try this method she makes it look so easy but it will probably take a little practice.

Not really Grandma Peg I watched it some time ago,the next quilt i did I did this method and the rest was history. love it

I've heard of Elmer's School Glue for basting and layering quilts also, but have no idea where I've read it. Maybe try googling.

This was way easier than trying to pin the binding on. Now I'll stitch it by using a decorative stitch--at least I hope I can. I've never used any but a straight stitch for binding. I have a sandwich put together to practice on. Will let you know how that goes.

I just did this last night for the second time in a week and am getting better at it.

Step #1 for me is to trim the quilt corner to exactly match the binding edge. Yours may already be exact, so you may not need to do this.

Step #2 is that I find that one edge folds into the miter corner easier than the other edge. I do the easiest edge first, gluing that down all the way and pressing from about 3" away from the corner. In other words, there is no turning; everything is glued straight into the corner as far as it will go.

Step #3 for me is to glue the other edge down for about 3". This is when I create the miter. It often involves a little lifting and fudging to get it correct, and I might even need to lift up the previous glue a little (pretty easy).

I will have to go watch the Sharon Schamber video now to see how she does it.......

The best thing about using the school glue is, once you iron it on, the binding can be pulled back up and re-adjusted if necessary. It only takes a small thin line of glue. As long as your seam is sewn straight, put the glue on that seam, then press the binding down and iron. Use a dry iron, no steam. Place pins in the binding or use the binding clips.
I find that when mitering the borders, the side I am gluing, is the side I glue down all the way to the edge of the corner. Then I start a few inches away from the corner on the adjacent side and glue down the binding going toward that corner. The miter appears in the corner because you have already created the 45 degree angle from the other side that went to the very edge.
I use the bottle tops for the empty coloring bottles sold at beauty supply stores. About $2. (Clear bottles with black tops are at our local store.) They fit perfectly on the school glue bottles. The tip is elongated and makes a perfect thin line of glue.

You do NOT have to iron it. I've been basting quilts with Elmers for years and have never used an iron on it. A thin line of glue, pat it down, let it dry, done.

Originally Posted by Quiltaddiction

This is a really cool method. I don't think we have Elmers glue in Australia do you think Roxannes glue will work?

Yep.
Back when I first saw the method, I didn't have any Elmer's at home, but I did have Roxanne's.
And the nozzle worked great, as did the glue.
When I couldn't find the super-thin tips recommended at stores locally, I ended up using the little Roxanne's bottle filled with the Elmer's.

Until my iron came in contact with the bottle.

eta:
Elmer's in Australia:
http://www.elmers.com.au/elmers-wash...lear-glue.html
This is the washable CLEAR glue.
I kinda like seeing the WHITE line when I'm using it but either would work.
The key is that it's the washable version.

Check office supply, craft stores, or wherever you would buy children's school supplies.
I've been getting mine at the supermarket, in the supplies aisle.