Elmer's for basting...NOT!
 

Was curious about the references I've seen on the Board about using Elmer's Spray Adhesive for basting quilts so I checked it out today. BEWARE, while the can intimated that it could be "temporary" if you read the instructions you will see what they mean by "temporary". The adhesive cannot be washed out like the sprays made specifically for basting. Basting sprays are made to be washed out with soap and water. Elmer's may say "temporary" but please read what they mean by that. Their interpretation of "temporary" does not mean that it can be washed out.

What does it mean?

The Elmers glue for basting that I use is the "school glue" - not a spray. This IS washable and works wonderfully - heat setting (pressing) the binding or pieces - they stay put and I don't mangle my hands with pins.

The spray adhesive is a different product from the school glue. The Elmer's spray adhesive is used by some people to baste quilt layers, similar to 505 and other spray basting adhesives.

The glue sticks are fine for use for temporary tacking, such as paperpiecing that kind of thing. I always keep a stick or two around.

The Elmer's spray adhesive says it it temporary for a time and then is permanent. Allows you to do some adjustments at first. I don't thing the Elmer's spray for quilt basting is the best way to go.

Yep. That's the only Elmer's I use and it is wonderfu.

They shouldn't use it for basting quilts........it does not wash out...it becomes permanent. It says so right on the can.:thumbdown:

regular elmers glue in a white bottle is what we use for basting! elmers spray adhesive is a totally different product- not to be used on textile projects---it is more of a 'use in the garage' product! it is nothing like basting spray- we use regular elmers glue to baste bindings in place- or appliques----not for basting a quilt sandwich for quilting.

I use Glue Sticks for all my applique work. I love it because I can pick up and move around any piece that is not in the just right position for about 30minutes before it sets firmly enough for me to machine applique it. Once set it doesn't gum up your needle either. I hate the stiffness that the different heat bond products can give items.

I use "School Glue" all the time to baste my quilts after I first heard people talking about using it. I've had no problem washing it out using plain ol' water and laundry soap. I wash all my quilts in cold water and that doesn't effect it being washed out either. If you get it on too thick, it can be a little hard to sew through. Like I used to tell my students, "Just a dot, not a lot"

In the last month I have spray basted two really big quilts, one is 108" square and the other is 96"x105". I cannot fathom basting them with school glue. Honestly, I have to admit that I can't think of an instance where I would use school glue for basting anything. I bought that little bottle of glue with the really fine metal tip and have not used it either, but then again, I haven't done anything with applique. Getting ready to do a landscape so it might come in handy for that.

I think we're taliking apples and oranges here. I think the original post was about using Elmer's spray adhesive for basting quilt layers together before quilting. The Elmers school glue is used for binding, applique, etc. I've used Elmers spray adhesive for DIY projects but can't imagine using it on a quilt. That stuff is really sticky, gummy, and stinky! I use 505 for spray basting and Elmers white school glue for applique and binding instead of pinning.

Here's a link to the Elmer's Spray Adhesive referred to in the original post:
http://www.elmers.com/product/detail/E451

This is *not* the school glue we all use for bindings and applique! Some people are using the Spray Adhesive to baste quilt layers together because it is considerably less expensive than 505. I personally prefer to spend a couple of extra dollars to be sure I am using a product designed for use in quilts, that is truly temporary, and that is easily washed out. Guess I am not the experimenter type. :)

I use the glue sticks for my bindings....and I stock up at back-to-school time when they are real cheap. For spray basting, I use Dritz...cheap and washes out well. I also looked at the Elmers spray adhesive and it does say permanent (that means it won't wash out).

Elmer's spray adhesive is good for a wall hanging or fabric project that will not be washed. Once glued it will stay.

A different question regarding permanent spray adhesive
 

I have a batting that I suspect will beard. Do you think spraying it with the permanent adhesive would help to prevent this?

quiltsRfun, if you use permanent adhesive you will ruin your quilt. I sent you a PM.

Guess I didn't give enough information. I was thinking of spraying the batting, letting it dry, then use something else to baste it to the quilt top and back. I probably won't try it cause it would mean I'd have to buy a can of the permanent adhesive. Less trouble and expense to just get another batting. It was mainly just one of those "I wonder if. . ." questions.

Aren't the quilters on this forum great! Delilah went the extra mile to make sure I didn't ruin my quilt.

I use the washable Elmer's school glue, too. Coyotemagic, I like your motto, "Just a dot, Not a lot."

I only use the washable glue for applique. It really holds my pieces in place and washes out.

I always use 505 and never use anything else. I have never had problems with 505 although it is a bit pricey!

Does anyone use Elmer's school glue, glue stick, or Ague Net to hold the stablizers to the fabric in their embroidery hoops? I've never used anything but Sulky KK 2000 and 505 Spray and Fix. I wouldn't mind a good cheaper substitute, but not something that hurts this horribly expensive machine.

Thanks for the useful information, thanks for sharing !

I agree. Beware.

Thank you Ladies, was fustrated on making a seam, could get it together from the front, but when turned it over it would miss align, oh yeaH, hitting forehead moment, the glue. lol

Yes, I love to use glue sticks to baste. Don't have to mess with pins. Love it!

I use the elmer's glue in the bottle to do basting. 505 is better to spray baste a whole quilt.

Yes, temporary means you can reposition what you are placing if you do it QUICKLY. After that it becomes permanently fixed in place. I used this to glue a poem on a piece of wood. You have about 20-30 seconds before it is there for good!

NOT "regular" Elmer's glue. Make sure it's the "washable" school glue. It will wash out with presoaking when the quilt is washed. It does work great!

Tell me more about using Elmer's school glue, please. How does it work and how long till it sets? I generally use 505 or a similar product and sort of spray tack points, rather than a broad sweep of the fabric. It holds well and the can lasts through several quilts. But, it is still pretty expensive.

It's not the Elmer's school glue that is used by some people for basting a quilt; it is the Elmer's spray adhesive.

Throughout this thread, people have confused the two products and their uses.

Ok, I am officially confused. How do you use the white Elmer's glue and/or glue sticks in place of pins? :-?

I use Elmer's school glue... (washable and a very small amount).. for all sorts of things. If you use very little it does not make your fabric stiff as a plank. I've used it on my "10 Min Blocks" and for holding little applique pieces in place. A few seconds with a dry iron and it's set. Love it for tiny little jobs.

I use 505 basting spray (outside spraying only) for actual basting. I've only used it on wallhangings, table toppers... mug rugs...table runners smaller things. Youtube has someone who sprays QUEEN SIZED quilts... pretty amazing.

I'm most happy using it for small to med sized projects.

You can use Elmer's SCHOOL glue or glue sticks for tacking small items or applique but not for basting a large project, just make sure the product washes out with soap and water. Some people evidentially use the school glue in their binding some how. I have never done that so don't know how to use it for that. Many quilters prefer to use basting sprays like 505, Sullivan's, Dritz, or June Tailer to baste the three layers of quilts together INSTEAD of using a zillion pins. I have had great success spray basting really large quilts without the aid of any pins at all. Some people were suggesting that you could Elmer's Spray Adhesive to spray baste quilts instead of the products that I listed and I was trying to warn them that Elmer's Spray Adhesive is not for basting quilts since it is a permanent adhesive, will NOT wash out with soap and water, and therefore will ruin the quilts. BTW, I do not like the new formula that June Tailer switched to last year but I understand they are changing the formula again and it should be in production soon. Once I got proficient using the sprays I can successfully spray baste a 100" square quilt in about an hour without using any pins at all.

I use the Elmer's washable school glue on my charity or children's bindings which I am going to machine stitch as opposed to hand stitching. I put a small bead of glue along the top of the quilt and then fold the binding over exactly where I want it to get a nice machine stitch and iron it. It holds the binding exactly where you want it and then you can quickly machine stitch it into place. I learned this at a "schoolhouse" at one of our local quilt shops. I can sew many bindings on in a day using this method. I don't use the glue if I'm going to hand stitch because it would actually make it more difficult to get the needle thru. The glue then comes out in the wash. It's a great way to get thru a lot of charity or utility quilts.

does anyone use Elmer's school glue for basting the quilt layers? how would that be done?

I use elmers stick glue to do all of my bindings...love it..never have I had any issues with my sewing machines or needles using elmers stick glue and love not having to use pins.

This may be similar. I have thinned Elmer's school glue with water and used to glue down my very small pieces of fabric in confetti applique pieces. These were then quilted with a tiny meandering stitch to hold the fabric down because they are part of a bed quilt, not a wall art quilt. The glue held well during lots of manipulation and washed out later. While it on the fabric it was very stiff. I had so many layers of confetti and glue and tulle net that during the quilting process it was like handling cardboard. After the washing it was fine. The quilters that I have heard using it for basting use it in dots so you don't have a complete coverage.

I use pins to baste the quilt because I just don't trust what harmful chemicals might be in a spray can no matter that many say "safe for environment." How many times has this been proved wrong? Plus if you have allergies it can be aggravating. I also don't want my pets exposed to the spray fumes.