Glue Basting Sceptic
 

Oh my gosh, I glue basted my first quilt yesterday. It is a T-Shirt quilt I made for my son, using Shirts that date back to Jr. High and he s 43. I used a fleece back and the glue. What a time saver. I don't think I will ever do it any other way. I used it straight out of the bottle. The only problem I had was getting fleece buggars (pardon my verbage) on the tip of the bottle. Left it lay in the sun a couple of hours and serpentine stitched the seams. Now in the process of doing a little something in the center of each block, more or less to tack them down. Thanks for the hint.

I always glue baste but hold the bottle up above the fabric and drizzle it. Nothing gets on the tip.

I've never glue basted in my life. I've made well over 350 quilts, and all hand basted. something is telling me I must try this medthod. maybe on a smaller quilt or a table runner. thanks.

I'm liking glue basting. Some times I use it when sewing Half Square triangle units together to be sure the point are correct when piecing them to other units. Also on bindings. I can't squeeze the bottle so have to pour out some on foil and use a toothpick to get it to put where I want it, but that works, because I need so little.

Well that would be a "DUH" I don't know why I didn't think of that!!!

What kind of glue do you use? Doesn't it gum up your needle?

It is a wonderful thing!!!!!! I will never baste any other way! Like Barb_MO, I too, use school glue for piecing points, bindings,to hold down laces, trims, ric rac, just about anywhere that I used to use pins!!!!

Since I did my first quilt with the glue, I would not go back to pinning so much easier to use the glue. Just make sure you use the Elmers washable school glue, I do thin it just a bit to make it easier to squirt. I also love that it washes out so well and I have not any issues with it gumming up my needle.

You also can use the Elmer's glue stick, washable of course. The stick is wonderful for the binding or even to keep the zipper in place. Washes out fine and makes my work easier.

I tried glue basting recently and was disappointed. I don't have a place I can leave my quilt laying flat waiting for the glue to dry.

I also ended up with a mess in some areas because my hands were getting tired from squeezing the bottles and I got impatient. But I'm also one of those people who always ends up with a mess when using any type of glue.

....no thanks....I really don't want to wash everything I make....some things just need to look "new", not used. I just do things the old fashioned way...pins, baste.....or whatever, but not glue!

I make 40x60 comfort quilts and glue baste the edges so the binding will go on easier and look nicer. I just started doing this about a month ago, and I am a convert. I use the purple glue sticks and then press with an iron. What a timesaver and it looks great as well (although a little flat until the first wash).

I iron it after I glue it to help it dry better. Then I use skirt hangers and hang it overnight. It's always dry the next day when I'm ready. Have to watch other brands of washable glue though. I bought Rose Art or Crazy Art, don't remember which, and it's thicker and wouldn't come out easily. I even diluted it and it didn't work well. Had some glops and the very tip of the needle is bent slightly. Really dulled the needle. Only Elmer's for me from now on.

I use channel lock pliers to squeeze the glue bottle. Gives me a little extra reach and a LOT of extra leverage. Works great, my hands don't get tired at all!

I tried the glue basting with Elmer's washable school glue once, maybe 2 years ago. I still remember being reduced to tears by the frustration - not sure what I did wrong. I drizzled very lightly onto the batting, maybe 8-10 inches apart, and ended up with a mess trying to smooth the quilt top out. Where it did hold when it dried, the glue hardened enough that my machine would skip stitches trying to go through it. Mostly, it didn't hold.

Would someone be kind enough to post more details on the technique and how to get good results? I went back to spray basting, which I love except for the smell.

Michelle

Interesting thread. I have several Elmer Glue sticks and a couple of bottles of the washable glue. I see that I am going to have to try it.

I will never baste a quilt any other way. I think we should get stock in Elmer's, everybody will be buying it.

What if you are using a table smaller than your quilt top? After I glue the part on the table, what happens when I move the quilt to do the next section?

I use Aleene's No-Sew Fabric Glue. Temporary hold for basting & stitching. Bonds fabric for permanent hold until washed. Just a little dab hold and there is no waiting or having to iron to dry. It sticks like glue, so be sure you have it right before you finger press it together. You can separate the items if there isn't too much glue applied, but you have to be gentle or it may tear the fabric.

I do mine in sections since I have only a small area. Glue one section, let dry for 45 min., put a few pins around the area so I know which are done, shift the quilt, glue another section, etc. Sometimes I turn on a fan to help with the drying. I put the backing on the batting, then when done with that whole side, turn it over and do the same with the top. It takes some time, but I can get lots of other things done during the drying time. When I'm done, I leave it draped over the counter until bedtime, then fold it loosely. It can be quilted the next day.

I love it, because no matter how much wrestling with it I must do to quilt, the layers don't shift! Though it may seem like a long, involved process, I've simply worked it into my routine. I use Elmer's washable school glue.

I have a hard time with glue basting. I think it works, but I haven't been able to fine tune the technique. My hands hurt so bad when I squeeze it out that I give up. I need to try that recipe that was going around here, seemed like that was used in a spray bottle

I add a little water to the bottle to make it flow. I hold it up high and let it flow all over the batting. I don't worry about big drops because when I smooth the top or backing to the batting it thins it out. Smoothing is the key. Usually I will use a hot iron to do the smoothing so the glue dries fast. I will not baste any other way. I can have a king size quilt basted in less then half a hour. I set up as many folding tables as I need and baste 1/2 , smooth and then do the other half. I do this to the front and back and I'm done.

glue basting works great....just drizzle it over the fabric and smooth it out..washes out great

I've tried glue-basting, and I really like it, but I'm also curious about using the method described by SlightlyOffQuilter (QB member) here: http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...h-t242180.html I'm still in the experimental stage with all the different ways of basting a quilt sandwich, so I'm still open to suggestions.

I'm a glue baster all the way. Once I tried it I never went back to another method. Washable school glue is always on my Christmas list. I too hold the bottle up about 6" or so above my quilt bat so that I get a thin stream of glue going and then do it in a zig zag pattern on the bat. By putting it on the bat I don't have to worry about it seeping through the fabric onto the surface that my quilt is laying on. I've never had any problem with it gumming up my needle or machine. If you haven't used this method, give it a try.

I admire anyone who can do the glue thing. i tried it and was careful not to get globs of glue, but my machine just didn't like it. When I use the glue stick, it pulls on the fabric and I worry about stitching. So to those of you who have success with glue...I give you kudos. After teaching 2nd grade for years, glue is one thing I know, but not so much with fabric. Maybe one day....

I love it too! I mix mine half glue, half water, heat the water in microwave, then mix. It squeezes out really easy, I do it from standing position with quilt on floor, and just let it dry under ceiling fan, usually overnight. Also, for small things like piecing, I use the glue pens, 3 in a package at Dollar Tree. I also use the glue sticks for some things. Works great for me, sure saves my knees, used to get down on the floor to pin!

Love the glue!!!! What a time saver - always hated basting and then taking out the basting or the pins that left my finger so sore.

With 2 dogs and a cat, that would spell disaster in my house LOL
I can just picture them all with bit of batting glued to their paws and noses.

Love it, love it, love it . I seemed to always get the fabric messed up no matter how many pins I used when I tried to sandwich. Tried different methods, some worked okay most were not so okay but I am able to get very good results with the glue! Gluing saves me time and frustration. I have used it for small projects, table runners, baby quilts and throws and will be using it on my queen quilt I am piecing. It took me lots of time to try this technique but after reading everyone's opinions and helpful advice I am very happy I tried it the first time. I am thankful to this board for the great ideas and help.

Ditto ,much better than pins.

I use polyester batting ( low loft) can the glue method be used on this type of batting?

Yes--it works well with poly batting. Drizzle it on the batting, place the backing (or top, depending on which side you are working on) on top, and create a connection between the two. I use my ruler to gently smooth the top layer I'm working on, so it comes into contact with the glue.

The glue from the Dollar Stores is awesome.

I have glued quilts on my bed (put protective sheet on top first) and/or on a 2' x 4' table. If you glue your quilt on the bed first thing in the morning it should be good to go by noon or at least before you go to bed at night. When I use my small table I start at one end and work my way to the other end then leave it draped (sorta centered) on the table over night. I usually do my gluing in the evenings. I use either Elmer's or washable school glue from Dollar General. Both work well.

I am making 18 pillowcases from the Shabby Fabrics Tutorial; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7yrDQ7G9so
I am embroidering names on each pillowcase, these are gifts for my 6 grands.
I have been using the glue baste method on the final seam in the junction where 6 layers of fabric meet. No matter how carefully I pinned it or how many pins I used, the seams would slide as I stitched over them.... UNTIL.. I started glue basting!! Once I did that every single one matches perfectly!! I am addicted to glue basting no matter what I am sewing!! It works every single time!!

has anyone ever used the glue basting for hand quilting? I haven't because I don't know if it will make things difficult with sewing by hand!

I love you!!!!! I no longer have the strength in my hands I once had.

Mahalo!!!!!

For those who haven't tried the Elmer's Washable School Glue sandwiching method:

It works!

Try it on something small and you'll never go back to pins or spray.

I do half the flimsy side, smooth with my hands, then press the glue dry; then the other half. Then do the backing side one half at a time.

Because you are working with the flimsy (then the backing) on top of the batting, you won't get any tucks or wrinkles.

Edit: Churches, recreation buildings, and some libraries and quilt shops have nice long tables that enable you to do half a large quilt at a time. I've never been charged. Press the glue dry and you'll be done in no time and can take your sandwiched quilt home with you. I've seen those same tables for sale at $50 each; the legs fold up, so storing out of the way is possible. :)

OK, you all talked me into trying this. Since I was needing to sandwich a baby quilt figured it was a good time to start.
Love it. I did thin with a little water. Thanks everyone for the good advise.