Quiltingboard Forums

Quiltingboard Forums (https://www.quiltingboard.com/)
-   Main (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/)
-   -   I doubt I'll ever use pins again (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/i-doubt-ill-ever-use-pins-again-t327519.html)

Onebyone 12-17-2025 08:44 AM

Glue is a staple in my quilting room. I've been using school glue for years since I had a class with Sharon Schamber. Elmers school glue is not a glue, it is a heavy starch. It's safe for fabric ( even kid's stomachs) it is easy to dilute. I buy it by the gallon. I use a carpenter's glue roller. I baste my quilts before putting them on the frame. I don't have to do all that tedious loading and measuring. Basting with the glue takes me no time at all. Once the glue is dry from basting I press the quilt front and back with steam to make the the quilt soft. If I'm in a hurry I press it dry no steam. I glue baste my binding in place after sewing it to one side using a small art paint brush.

Julienm1 12-17-2025 09:01 AM

Pool noodles and Elmer's school are staples in my sewing room.

SusieQOH 12-17-2025 09:46 AM

I love glue basting! It's also good for blocks when you need to get seams to line up. Just a dot and the iron and you're all set.

Stitchnripper 12-17-2025 02:51 PM

I have been using Elmer's washable school glue to baste quilts for years. I tried the watered down brush thing but found it cumbersome and not necessary. I read somewhere that glue basting replaces pin basting, not spray basting so it doesn't have to be on every inch of the quilt. I have done as big as queen size. I don't understand why it doesn't work for some people. Maybe not smoothing it out enough? It is positionable for a while so I just keep smoothing out. I just don't have any problems with it. It has always washed out for me. I don't use it for bindings because I don't need to. I am pretty good at bindings.

magicmoonmusings 12-17-2025 03:37 PM


Originally Posted by Stitchnripper (Post 8710910)
I tried the watered down brush thing but found it cumbersome and not necessary. I read somewhere that glue basting replaces pin basting, not spray basting so it doesn't have to be on every inch of the quilt. I have done as big as queen size. I don't understand why it doesn't work for some people.

I'm in the middle of quilting my glue basted quilt. Currently taking a break. I used the drizzle method - and boy do I REGRET IT. Next time I'll use a brush to laminate instead of drizzling. There's puckering and bubbling. And yes, I did smooth it out very well and even ironed it afterwards. I drizzled the lines very close together and overlapped them and I'm still having problems. At least this is just a utility quilt.

For anyone who wants to try glue basting, please try @Lena1952 's method instead.

Onebyone 12-17-2025 03:39 PM

I like to glue every inch of the quilt sandwich so I know nothing is going to move one smidge. I want it to be like quilting on paper. I never have the slightest pucker or puffness. I don't dilute it. It works great for me so until something else works better it will be glue basting for me.

Stitchnripper 12-17-2025 03:44 PM


Originally Posted by magicmoonmusings (Post 8710927)
I'm in the middle of quilting my glue basted quilt. Currently taking a break. I used the drizzle method - and boy do I REGRET IT. Next time I'll use a brush to laminate instead of drizzling. There's puckering and bubbling. And yes, I did smooth it out very well and even ironed it afterwards. I drizzled the lines very close together and overlapped them and I'm still having problems. At least this is just a utility quilt.

For anyone who wants to try glue basting, please try @Lena1952 's method instead.

maybe you are using too much glue. I don't understand why some of us have problems and some don't. I am only relatively proficient at any of it. Sometimes when the sandwich is drying it looks puckered but when quilting it isn't.

loisf 12-17-2025 03:52 PM

FYI, Elmer’s Washable School Glue comes in a gallon size. Much cheaper than buying small bottles. I think I bought mine at Office Max or Staples.

Onebyone 12-17-2025 05:51 PM

After drying, steam press the basted quilt. It will soften the glue and spread it out more and get rid of the puckering, bubbles, and wrinkles.

Lena1952 12-18-2025 05:07 AM

I've been using glue for binding for several years. I bought a bottle of Roxanne Glue baste with the metal tip just for this purpose. I press the binding where I want it to go, then run a thin line of glue on the seam part of the binding (away from the binding edge), pull binding into place and press to dry. I use a pin to place corners the way I want them, press, then glue and press again to dry. I machine sew 99% of my bindings and haven't use clips in years. Once the binding is glued, you are able to machine sew the binding without stopping to remove clips or pins. Although I don't think it saves time, I do find it easier. I have also used glue to hand bind my quilts. Please don't subscribe to the " More is Better idea. "A thin line of glue in the seam and away from the binding edge is necessary or you will have a difficult time getting your needle through the fabric.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 02:56 PM.