glue basting quilts
07-16-2019, 04:37 AM
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Manassas, VA
Posts: 1,981
Question #1 - Do you use the glue straight or do you dilute it with water?
I do not dilute my glue, but I do put it in a bowl of hot tap water to thin the glue out. A minute before I start using it is all it takes. I use two bottles of glue. One stays in the hot tap water so when the first bottle that I am using starts to cool and thicken, the bottle sitting in the bowl of hot water is just right. I keep switching the glue bottles so I have the thinned glue to use for the whole quilt. The thin glue comes out of the tip like spiderwebs.
Question #2 - Do you have all 3 layers down when you baste right from the start like this lady does? Or do you do it slower? (just have the backing and batting down and baste that... then when that is done you add the top and baste that?)
I do all three layers at once. I have the quilt sandwich on two folding tables set up side by side on bed risers so I don't have to bend over. I glue half of the quilt at a time.
Question #3 - Do you use the water bottle and iron? if so, what does that do? Does it just speed up the drying? or what?
I have no idea why spraying it with water is necessary. When I have used the heated/thinned glue, it dries very quickly. It doesn't hurt that I have a ceiling fan over the sandwich either. It is completely dry in an hour or two.
I do not dilute my glue, but I do put it in a bowl of hot tap water to thin the glue out. A minute before I start using it is all it takes. I use two bottles of glue. One stays in the hot tap water so when the first bottle that I am using starts to cool and thicken, the bottle sitting in the bowl of hot water is just right. I keep switching the glue bottles so I have the thinned glue to use for the whole quilt. The thin glue comes out of the tip like spiderwebs.
Question #2 - Do you have all 3 layers down when you baste right from the start like this lady does? Or do you do it slower? (just have the backing and batting down and baste that... then when that is done you add the top and baste that?)
I do all three layers at once. I have the quilt sandwich on two folding tables set up side by side on bed risers so I don't have to bend over. I glue half of the quilt at a time.
Question #3 - Do you use the water bottle and iron? if so, what does that do? Does it just speed up the drying? or what?
I have no idea why spraying it with water is necessary. When I have used the heated/thinned glue, it dries very quickly. It doesn't hurt that I have a ceiling fan over the sandwich either. It is completely dry in an hour or two.
07-16-2019, 06:40 AM
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 2,877
I see you have many answers but I'll throw mine in anyway.
Question #1 - do you use the glue straight or do you dilute it with water?
No I do not dilute, straight from the bottle. I hold the bottle as high as my short arems will allow, It seems the higher I hold the bottle, the thinner the line of glue.
Question #2 - do you have all 3 layers down when you baste right from the start like this lady does? Or do you do it slower? (just have the backing and batting down and baste that. then when that is done you add the top and baste that?)
No I do one layer at a time. I am fortunate that I have a large kitchen island that don't have a sink or anything, just counter top. After ensuring I have enough batting and backing, I lay the batting down first, lay the back over that. Fold the half of the backing upon itself, so I see the batting, apply as thin a line of glue as possible. If there are any "globs", I smooth them out. If any of the line are not real tiny, I'll run my finger over them also, to smooth. I lay the backing, back over the binding and iron from the center that is furthest from me. Make it as smooth as I possible can. Flip around, not over, and do the other side of the backing. Smoothing the glue and ironing as I go. This may take a while if it is a large quilt. Now I "flip" the batting and backing over so the batting is up. I repeat the same procedure with the top over the batting. Pretty easy but take the time to make sure everything is smooth. Then I hang the completed quilt, over the balcony until the next day to make sure it is completely dry.
Question #3 - do you use the water bottle and iron? if so, what does that do? does it just speed up the drying? or what?
Ironing, speeds up the drying helps with the smoothing. It is too much for me if my hands must do all the smoothing. Hope this helps and doesn't confuse you more.
Question #1 - do you use the glue straight or do you dilute it with water?
No I do not dilute, straight from the bottle. I hold the bottle as high as my short arems will allow, It seems the higher I hold the bottle, the thinner the line of glue.
Question #2 - do you have all 3 layers down when you baste right from the start like this lady does? Or do you do it slower? (just have the backing and batting down and baste that. then when that is done you add the top and baste that?)
No I do one layer at a time. I am fortunate that I have a large kitchen island that don't have a sink or anything, just counter top. After ensuring I have enough batting and backing, I lay the batting down first, lay the back over that. Fold the half of the backing upon itself, so I see the batting, apply as thin a line of glue as possible. If there are any "globs", I smooth them out. If any of the line are not real tiny, I'll run my finger over them also, to smooth. I lay the backing, back over the binding and iron from the center that is furthest from me. Make it as smooth as I possible can. Flip around, not over, and do the other side of the backing. Smoothing the glue and ironing as I go. This may take a while if it is a large quilt. Now I "flip" the batting and backing over so the batting is up. I repeat the same procedure with the top over the batting. Pretty easy but take the time to make sure everything is smooth. Then I hang the completed quilt, over the balcony until the next day to make sure it is completely dry.
Question #3 - do you use the water bottle and iron? if so, what does that do? does it just speed up the drying? or what?
Ironing, speeds up the drying helps with the smoothing. It is too much for me if my hands must do all the smoothing. Hope this helps and doesn't confuse you more.
Last edited by QuiltnNan; 07-16-2019 at 07:39 AM. Reason: shouting/all caps
07-16-2019, 07:33 AM
#14
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 114
I love Elmer's Washable Glue. I do dilute with a bit of water and I use tips that I bought online that provide a narrower stream of glue. I do the "wave" bit on all layers and if I do get a glob of glue, I use a foam brush to smooth the glue out. Since I use a poly batting, ironing the sandwich would flatten the loft. I just let the sandwich dry on my dining room table. This works well for me since I am now at a point where I just make baby quilts for charity purposes.
07-16-2019, 08:03 AM
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 1,663
Don't forget ladies, 'tis the season for bargain glue! It's back to school time and Elmer's Washable School Glue is two for a dollar! Every time I go to WM, I pick up a couple more. 
My only tip is not to use too much glue, which was how I did it at first, and I had lots of globby messes. Now I position my hand about 8-10" above the quilt and just slowly drizzle. Works pretty well! I don't have an outdoor space where I can spray the 505 although I do own a bottle of it. I'd rather use the nice, non-smelly glue.
My only tip is not to use too much glue, which was how I did it at first, and I had lots of globby messes. Now I position my hand about 8-10" above the quilt and just slowly drizzle. Works pretty well! I don't have an outdoor space where I can spray the 505 although I do own a bottle of it. I'd rather use the nice, non-smelly glue.
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