Elmer's Glue
 

I'm sure this is a question that has already been answered, so I'm sorry for the repeat. I researched the site and couldn't find an answer. How exactly do you use Elmer's school glue for basting?

I use painter's tape to tape my backing to the hardwood floor. Then I just squeeze a thin line of glue back and forth across the backing about 4" apart. I then spread the batting over the backing and squeeze another line back and forth across the batting. Then I smooth the quilt top over the batting. I let it dry for several hours or overnight. Voila! Ready to quilt! I've also heard of some folks who thin the glue a bit with water and then use a small paint roller to spread the glue. It has worked great for me. Good luck.

I use Elmers School Glue only. I sandwich, fold back 1/2 of the backing and do very small dots about every 4" all over that half and then I repeat for the other half....iron it so the glue dries and adheres. Flip over the whole sandwich and repeat for the top.

I use Elmer's spray glue.

Small squiggles if I'm basting a quilt sandwich. Then I iron it to "set it up" otherwise it has to dry before you start quilting. I've also seen it used to hold pieces together instead of using pins (for piecing). Just a drop or two on your matching part then iron to dry it. I haven't used the glue for that though.

It's that easy? I thought it was going to be some formula to test my high school chemistry classes. Thanks so much!

I didn't know there was such a thing. Is it sticky like 505? I hate that overspray so I rarely use it. Maybe this would be a better answer.

It has to be washable school glue....the generic brands work too. I drizzle thin lines of glue about 3 to 4 inches apart in kind of a grid, straight from the bottle, onto the batting. Then spread out the top, smoothing and patting down. After it air dries for about an hour, I flip and repeat the process to glue down the backing. If I get a blob of glue just smooth out with your finger. Cleanup is just a damp washrag! Be sure to let the sandwich dry completely before quilting....either air dry or speed up the processusing a dry iron. And now is the perfect time to stock up on glue at the back to school sales! I never have any shifting or wrinkles, nor do I have to pin the edges. When the quilting/binding is done I simply wash with detergent in warm water.

I will only baste with Elmer's now. And yes, it is that easy. I use the glue sticks for things like binding.
I still think we should own stock.

I'm so bad. I've read about it over and over so I tried it. I just laid the backing down, drizzled glue on half of it then topped with half the batting, spread it with my hands, smoothing as I went. Wash up, repeat with other half, then repeat with top. Then ironed, then rest overnight. Done and then quilt.

I'm a sad tale, but I walked into the store today and saw all that back to school stuff and my mouth started watering. Managed to make it out with only the glue and some pencils.

Here's one tutorial on using Elmer's washable school glue to baste:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...e-t208057.html

There is a lot of additional information on this technique. You can find it by using the "search" option in the upper righthand corner of the board (when not in a thread).

Is there a time period in which the glue won't wash out or harm the fabric? I'm looking at a QAYG quilt.

You can heat set this glue for basting and it still washes out; just make sure you get the "washable" kind.

I too am in love with washable school glue. I am surprised that someone is not selling it as "quilters glue" and charging outrageous prices!

I love that I can get my "school supply fix" this time of year. Nice to stock up on stationary items at good prices.

Use washable glue. Any brand is fine. I get it on sale if I can for around $1.00 or less a bottle. I put my glue on the BATTING not the backing. By doing it this way there is no glue seeping through to the surface below. The batting is also heavier and so you don't have as much problems with wrinkles.

Here's the process I use: Lay the batting down. Lay the backing on top of that. Fold back half of the backing exposing the batting. Hold the glue bottle about a foot or more above the batting and get a fine stream of glue coming out. Work in a zig zag squiggle pattern with the glue. You don't need much. One regular size bottle of glue will do a twin size quilt and then some. Once the glue is down I fold the backing back over the glued part and smooth down with my hand. If I'm in a hurry I put a hot dry iron to it. Usually I just wait for it to dry and then move on to another section. I do mine on a table and the whole quilt won't fit on the table so I do it in sections. If you're using a surface where the whole quilt will fit then do the whole thing at once. Once the glue is dried flip the two layers over and repeat the process by putting the glue on the batting and smoothing the top over that.

Very easy. No taping. Can be done on a relatively small surface. No crawling around on the floor. No messy overspray. No sore fingers from pinning. You must wash the quilt after it is quilted to remove the glue. I wash in warm water with extra water. Cold water will not take out the glue.

I have a little trouble squeezing the bottle for the length of time it takes to do the job, so I experimented and diluted the glue until it would spray a fine spray out of a spray bottle. I used warm water...not sure if that made any difference but I think it 'softened' the glue a bit. I just sprayed, then rubbed my hand over the batting and joined the two layers together. I have done all of my last quilts this way and it is wonderful. I lay them on the bed and can get them REALLY smooth AND don't have to worry about overspray. When I'm done I take the sprayer part off the bottle and run some warm water into the sink and dipping the end into the warm water I spray several times to clean out the sprayer. Put it back on the bottle and you are ready for the next time.

I had a twin size play quilt basted with Elmer's School glue that was in the closet for over 2 years in a bag. I forgot about it. I found it when looking for a backing fabric I though I had in the closet. I did have it, on the back of that quilt. LOL. I put the whole thing in the washer on delicate and let it soak for a few minutes then turned the cycle on. The backing, batting, and top came separated just fine. I dried the batting separately. I used the backing for my new project and another one on the play quilt.

I think I might buy some Elmer's glue! I usually use basting spray but get tired of the overspray.

This is exactly how I do it as well. I usually put a few pins around the edges, so the glue isn't on the part I need to stitch the binding down. Hand sewing through the dried glue is possible, but harder than without it. I'm refining my technique with every quilt! :)

It's basically starch, so doesn't harm the fabric if left in for a long time. You just don't want to live in a humid climate where bugs are attracted to starch for food! Living in Alaska, I don't think this would be a problem for you. :cool:

sandwich with Elmers
Elmer's washable?
Glue basting question
Misto spary bottle and Elmers Glue
If this works- I'm hooked (or glued)Glue basting for weaklings

Here are some recent threads from using the search function

I've (Elmer's School) glue basted the sandwich, then left it for several months before getting back to it. I've never had any trouble getting the glue out, in the first wash. I use warm water (all fabrics have been pre-washed) and regular detergent, using the bulky/bedding setting, on my washer.

Thanks so much everyone! I did it last night and love the texture of the sandwich. Goodbye pins.

Elmer has become my best friend. I do it like most of the others.

Elmers Glue
 

I tried the glue one time. Watered it down and put it in a squirt bottle. It doesn't 'squirt' good. Just kind of dribbles . Then when it dried it was hard. What did I do wrong?

STOP THE INSANITY OF BUYING ROXANNE'S GLUE BASTE IT REFILS! I just saw the 6 oz. bottle selling for $20!
You can purchase a gallon of Elmer's for $11.99 on Amazon. Saving you $415 on Roxanne's refill. BTW if anyone is wondering about Roxanne's glue, it is Elmer's or a cheaper version! Love their tips, but don't waste your money on the glue. Elmer's works the same. When I put the Elmer's on my quilt I use a painter's edge tool after each layer to smooth....its like having a huge spatula....its about 24" long with a plastic side to grip and a metal edge to smooth with. Got it at Harbor Freight for $3.00.

I have used both the liquid and the glue stick for various quilting projects. Both work well. I also use another technique that I found on this site from another member. Starch works too. I use StaFlo liquid starch diluted half and half in a spray bottle. I like this better than spray adhesive and less expensive. Around $3 for a 1/2 gallon at Walmart. I am usually in a hurry so I use a hot iron to get it dry. I just finished a Quilt as You Go in panels and the starch worked great for holding the layers together for the quilting. The only problem I had with the starch was that I had to launder my ironing board cover because it was stiff from the overspray.

Did you use the Elmer's 'School' glue? It must be washable 'School Glue' or all bets are off. I never water mine down, just use it straight from the bottle. It is slightly firm (not really hard), until you wash the quilt.

I now use elmers for everything. No more pinning when matching seams when joining rows and for basting but i also use a hot iron to set the glue, then you don't have to wait for it to dry

I don't use any brand but Elmer's. It's too cheap to look for cheaper. This is the glue that is used for basting. If you have trouble squeezing a fine line, just dab tiny dots of glue and then spread with a clean paint brush. Usually smoothing the fabric will remove any big dots I may have. If you store it upside down you won't have a dried up tip when you use it next.

http://elmers.com/images/default-sou...aster&sfvrsn=6

Judy don't give them any ideas, please!!:p

Go to YouTube and search for "glue basting a quilt". The 2 part tutorial by Slightly Off Quilter shows how to water down Elmer's School Glue and use an atomizer to spray the batting. It's works well and you don't end up with blobs of glue and the layers will stay together for a long time. I have one I glue basted a month ago and haven't gotten around to quilting and it's fine. Don't like the other sprays because of the fumes and Elmer's is cheap, odorless and safe!! Try it.

Aunt Annie, several people apply the glue by first diluting it, then using a small painter's tray and a sponge roller -- just like painting a wall, but smaller and with glue! Keep in mind that every square inch does not need to be covered with glue. Think more like basting with safety pins. You just need a little bit of glue every few inches to keep the quilt basted. If you leave large gobs of glue, these can become hard spots for your machine needle to get through.

Edit: I have arthritis in my hands and would never try to use a spray bottle to baste with glue. In my experience, repetitive stress of this type aggravates arthritis.

Somewhat of a chore getting through her tutes. I know she mentioned this was her first time doing a tutorial. It seems she added an extra step or two but it works for her.

Elmers spray glue works great and is so much cheaper. I tried to get another can with my 1/2 off coupon yesterday and Joann's was out naturally.

I can never find it at my Joann's. ugh.

Elmer's spray glue is not washable. At least the spray cans I've found aren't. And it does have a strong fume odor. I have used it for making banners.

I'm going to try using a foam roller next time. Dribble it on and then spread it with a roller. I iron as I go so that the part I already did is nice and secure since I use a table that is smaller than the quilt.

Never heard of that. Where do you get it?