Prissnboot

I have tried using school glue (like Elmers or other brands) but has anyone ever tried diluting it? My problem using it straight is that it dries so hard, you can't quilt through it.

The spray adhesives are so messy and expensive.

Can this glue be diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio and still be effective?

Stitchnripper

A lot of people dilute it. I drizzle a thin bead in a sort of grid on my batting and smooth it all out. If there are any globs I smooth them with my finger (washable, after all!). Remember that glue basting replaces pin basting, not spray basting so you don't have to get it on every inch of your quilt. I like to think of my grid as where pins might go. I've been using this way for a while and have had no problems with it. You can also put Elmer's or glue or some combination into the search bar above on the right and you will get a lot of other comments.

Onebyone

Sometimes I put about a tablespoon of warm water in the bottle so it will flow out easier.

Skhf

Thanks Stitchnripper for the information. I never really thought about glue replacing pins. I wS wondering how you were supposed to glue everything! Maybe I will try glue now.

Tartan

I diluted it 3-1 trying to use it in my spray bottle. It still wasn't thin enough to spray but I used a small paint tray and foam roller to roll it on my 80/20 batt. It still stuck really well but the quilt was stiff until I washed it. I am still going to try to get the ratio right to spray it.

mike'sgirl

I dilute it as well. My hands are not strong enough to squeeze the bottle otherwise.

Onebyone

I sent in a request to Elmer's to make a washable non aerosol spray. If we all sent an email maybe it will happen.

tessagin

Friend of mine uses glue and a sponge brush to smooth it out. I myself still prefer stitch basting. Sharon Shamberg way.

Juliebelle

I use it all the time and dilute it with about 1/3 water to the bottle, I keep an empty bottle to use. I find it comes out a lot better with that ratio.

maviskw

I dilute 50-50 with water. You don't have to spread it over the whole thing. Just squirt a thin line 6 to 8 inches apart. Then I smooth that out with my fingers so there are no big globs. The fingers will get washed later. (Sometimes I don't wash them until the whole quilt is finished.)
One time I had the glue too thin and it didn't hold well. Some batts don't hold as well either. I always put pins around the outer edge to keep the pressure off that glued spot until it is sewn. Sometimes I even put the binding on before I quilt the insides. (Horrors!)