Same here. Elmer's School glue is no toxic and washes away completely. I dilute it just a tad so it flows easier out of the bottle. I make very thin squiggle lines all over the batting then smooth the backing onto the batting. I press dry or let air dry. Then turn it over and do the same for the quilt top.

I have used Elmer's washable school glue on a bunch of quilts. I don't dilute it. I Drizzle it from the bottle in a grid as several posters have mentioned above. It gets flattened out by itself when you smooth the fabric over the batting. It is
very simple. For me it has always washed out. If you let it dry it does not gum up your needle.

If I get a glue blob, I use something like a putty spatula to spread it out. I don't like getting my finger al gluey.

I use it straight from the bottle, applying it in lines about 4 inches apart over the whole quilt. I move fast so it usually doesn't have time to puddle, but it if does, so what! When dry, my machines go right through it anyway, and it always washes out. I will never, ever pin or baste again. And you can buy the glue anywhere, even at the grocery store.

OK, a question/statement. I never wash my quilts after they are finished. I don't want people to think they are "used".
What do you do?

I always wash my quilts when they are done. Could you try washing one and see if you are happy with results? Mine look different after they are washed and dried and I don't want the recipients to think they did something to them.

I watered the glue about 2/3 glue, 1/3 water. Drizzled on the quilt batting, and then spread with the side of an old credit card. Worked very well.