Can you use glue sticks for basting?
 

I see that many use elmers glue but not glue sticks. anyone try glue sticks?

I use glue sticks. They get messy and it's hard to be exact with them. I'm not really happy with them. I just bought some fabric glue from amazon and waiting for delivery.

I was spending a few weeks in FL. I had brought sewing supplies, but forgot the pins... brought glue stick, though LOL. So I used it for the basting of a wall hanging. I agree, messy and not exact. But it is what I had and was glad to have it.

I use the purple Elmers glue stick a lot. It’s sometimes hard to just get a tiny bit onto something. It can get globby. Usually I finish with a quick ironing to “set” it.

I do use glue sticks, but not for basting. Just thinking about how I'd do it with the sticks is aggravating me. :D

I just use the end of a toothpick to get a bit of glue from the purple stick on a seam I want to match. You can just use a dot.

It would be too messy for any quilt of size. I have used it for potholders and coasters. I melted a glue stick and repoured it in a empty chap stick container for basting hexies. I had better control and less glue per dab.

I have never tried a glue stick. From what you all are saying I suppose it is something I won't be trying either.

I've never used one for basting but I have for holding difficult seams together when my points refuse to behave with pins. Smear a teeny bit in the seam allowance of the seam that won't nest, hit it with the iron and sew.
Voila! my points and seams now match. :thumbup:

I have used it with great success when I have two seams that just won't line up. If it hasn't lined up properly even with the glue, it is easy to take apart and maneuver the fabric. I give it a minute or two to dry and then stitch right over it. I am a fan of glue sticks for that use.

how clever!

If glue sticks don't work, why not use Elmer's Washable School Glue? That works very well.

thanks for the info

My favorite sewing tool. The tiniest dab will hold anything you don't want to shift while you sew, even curves.

I just used one for basting 1/2" hexies, and that cut down the basting time quite a bit. I was a little worried about getting the paper out afterwards, but it came out easily. Will definitely use that method again.

I use the ELmers purple school glue sticks all the time. I love them. I use them for basting and to turn the edges for machine applique. I also love Roxannes glue baste it.

The glue sticks are my favorite for curved piecing. I run the glue on both pieces and then ease the pieces together. Then sewing the 1/4" seam is just as easy as if it's straight piecing.
However, I can't imagine how I would use it for basting--Elmer's Washable School Glue is my go to for that. Just basted a king size quilt that I quilted in 3rds a la Marti Michell--went beautifully!

If you live in an area where it's hot, and they get too soft, put them in the refrigerator to keep them solid; less mess?

thanks for this tip... I think I could have used that when I was in FL

Tried them both.. Use the Elmers Washable School Glue now as it is the easiest to use and control. Plus I know it washes out.

The glue stick pen was recommended for basting the 1" hexies in a Grandmother's Flower Garden class I just took. Mkotch said the paper came out easily. I tested one and could barely get it out. The instructor said that when the glued "dried" it would be easier. Was that anyone else's experience?

I used freezer paper to do my hexies and it worked great. Put it on the back of the fabric with the shiny side up, then you can iron the edges of the fabric and it will stick to the freezer paper. It comes off really easy, too. I found that the gle stick sticks the paper down too much. I'm using it on the curved pieces of the quilt I'm currently making called Dogwood Blossoms. It's one of the Kansas City Star Newspaper patterns from the 50's. There's a picture of it in this post: https://www.quiltingboard.com/pictur...n-t291889.html

Yes, I have used a glue stick to baste a quilt, and it worked just fine. You can't rub it on the batting, of course so you have to put the batting on the back, then I put the front face down and flip half of it back and rub on the glue stick. smooth the back and batting layer down onto the face and then do the other half. you do have to iron it to get good adhesion from the glue stick, however. I did a king sized one and I think it took 4 sticks. Maybe less.

The glue turns purple again when it gets wet. Just an FYI, because it freaked me out when it happened to me the first time.

Great block! I'm going to try the freezer paper next. Seems easy enough. Sounds like you've been at this a while!

I filled a water pen with Elmer's School glue and it worked great. for seams and hexies. When basting hexies I only glue the folded corners not the whole thing hexie.

I use Elmer's liquid school glue when making my quilt sandwich.. I thinly spread it on the batting.Sometimes I use water to thin it. It washes out.

Is it just me, or is it starting to feel a little spammy in here?