Pool Noodles and Elmer's Glue
#13
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 16,391
I use a product called Free Fuse now. It's easier then Elmers. I use folding tables so the quilt lays flat, smooth, sprinkle, press, and repeat on other side. I use very little of the Free Fuse, not near the amount shown in the demo videos. I don't know why they show using so much. The container has holes so I cover all but a few of the holes with tape and gently sprinkle the granulas on the batting one area at a time. No fumes, no wetness, no drying time. So far this is the best basting for me that I don't dread doing.
#14
Power Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mableton, GA
Posts: 11,314
I use a product called Free Fuse now. It's easier then Elmers. I use folding tables so the quilt lays flat, smooth, sprinkle, press, and repeat on other side. I use very little of the Free Fuse, not near the amount shown in the demo videos. I don't know why they show using so much. The container has holes so I cover all but a few of the holes with tape and gently sprinkle the granulas on the batting one area at a time. No fumes, no wetness, no drying time. So far this is the best basting for me that I don't dread doing.
#15
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 16,391
#16
Power Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mableton, GA
Posts: 11,314
#17
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 16,391
#18
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 269
I love the pool noodles for basting. I use them every time I baste a quilt and the kids (3 and 5yo) love to play with them when I'm not using them! When rolling it on the noodle, I just use regular pins and stick them through the edge of the fabric into the noodle at an angle so the pin stays in the foam, much like you would if you were pinning a quilt top to the leader on a longarm. I've never basted so quickly!
I also water down my Elmer's a little bit and then drizzle in a zigzag from the bottle but I've found spreading the lines of glue gives me the best results. I use a plastic spackle spatula to spread it out - an old credit card would work too. I used to use my fingers but it was annoying to have one hand sticky while trying to glue and unroll, so the spatula works great! Easy to wash, too.
I also water down my Elmer's a little bit and then drizzle in a zigzag from the bottle but I've found spreading the lines of glue gives me the best results. I use a plastic spackle spatula to spread it out - an old credit card would work too. I used to use my fingers but it was annoying to have one hand sticky while trying to glue and unroll, so the spatula works great! Easy to wash, too.