BIG problem using Elmers Glue for basting!
 

I read about using Elmers Glue for basting quilts on this board. I tried it and was very happy with how the quilt held together while FMQing.

Well yesterday I basted another quilt with Elmers Glue, but when I went to check it today I saw that there were a lot of wrinkles on the backing. So I had to pull the backing off of the batting. What a NIGHTMARE. The backing fabric got wrecked, the batting ripped up and had holes all over it where it stuck to the backing.

I think this way of basting works if you don't get any wrinkles in your quilt, but repositioning after drying does NOT work well.

I just thought I'd post this warning. It's back to 505 spray for me.

Yikkies. So sorry to hear you had trouble. I have only used Elmer's glue
for bindings. Thanks fir heads up

Judy in Phx,AZ

I don't use Elmer's glue, since I longarm. However I wonder if you could have sprayed the backing before trying to remove it. Perhaps the dampness would loosen the glue enough so that the backing could be pulled away? Might be worth trying if this happens again.

Sorry to hear. I haven't had that problem. Did you put the batting down first?

Yes, I think what happened is that one of my dogs must have walked on it while it was drying overnight, and got wrinkles in it. I have to baste on the floor.

Just spray the side you want to remove with water and it'll loosen up.

I use my dining room table and do it in sections - let a section dry and move to another section. When dry flip and do the same. Takes some drying time but I'm not usually in a hurry. I don't tape anything down anymore. Just smooth the batting out real well and make sure the backing or top are as smooth as I can make them. So far so good.

I had a plaid back that was glue basted on "crooked". I tried to peel it apart and it was a mess. I threw the sandwich in the washer. I then dried, pressed and re-sandwiched. It was surprising that the final quilt turned out OK. Batting was Warm and Natural. I thought I'd have to replace the batting, but it was OK. Quilt was for charity, and it was about 50" x 60".

I should have thought to throw it all in the washer. But I didn't. I will use the 505 basting spray from now on.

I use washable glue to baste all my quilts since I found the process here. I don't iron the glue dry unless it is a small quilt...usually let it air dry for about an hour on each side. It will then be ready to move to a "safer" place in my sewing room...the pool table is a favorite resting place for my cats. I usually wait till the next day to do any quilting to make sure it is completely dry. Sorry you had problems :(