I've Created a Big Problem with Elmer's Glue
 

I've been reading so much about y'all doing great things with Elmer's glue. So, I was adding a sleeve to back of my quilt. I didn't want to pin it. So got the idea I'd just glue it along the top to hold it in place, let it dry, then stitch. And I didn't just put a few dabs across the sleeve, I glued all across. Well, you know what happened of course. It dried like cement and now I can't push a needle through it to slip stitch it to back of quilt. Now what can I do? I ready to never touch Elmer's again. I used Elmer's Extra Strong Formula Multi-Purpose Glue.

Maybe try soaking it in water - it should just dissolve.

Use a spray bottle and spray water on the areas w/ glue it will dissolve the glue. Especially since you were going to hand sew the elmers glue stick would have been a better choice.

I think the glue you used is different than the Elmer's school glue. Here is what the Elmer's company suggests: http://elmers.com/about/faqs/clean-up-solutions Good-luck.

Throw that bottle away!! What we all use and recommend is Elmers Washable school glue which is basically super heavy duty starch. https://www.amazon.com/Elmers-Liquid.../dp/B000Q3KHCM

What you used is all purpose glue and not always washable. follow the link summitbay posted. You may have to wash the quilt several times to get rid of the multi purpose Elmers Glue all. They stress to not use hot water or apply heat as that may permanently afix the bonding agents to your fabric.

The washable is what we buy, but it does dry hard. So if you plan on gluing before hand sewing only put a drop here and there and put those drops a good 1/4" away from your stitching line. A machine can power through the washable school glue but hand sewing is another issue all together.

Well, it may have been starch years ago, but now it's "PVAC-based adhesive", or polyvinyl acetate. Still water soluble, though, which is the important part! :thumbup:

rvsfan, I hope you're able to wash the glue out of your quilt!!

Next time only use washable school glue. Put on dabs, press with hot iron to dry it. This won't happen with washable school glue.

That sounds like something I'd do

throw that bottle away. Next time use a glue stick for temporary bonds, and use the liquid (tiny drops) then iron for a more solid seal. we all buy those tiny metal tips so only the tiniest amount of liquid glue comes out.
Sharon schambers you tube on binding shows her using the tips and amount. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2hWQ5-ZccE&t=37s
sorry you are having this problem.

Is the sleeve glued to the back of the quilt? Or just to itself? If it is glued to the back of the quilt, maybe you could just leave it as is and use the glued together area as the fastener, rather than sewing it too. Or is the glue on the back of the quilt and not the sleeve? If that is the case, can you make a slightly larger sleeve and cover the whole glued area and stitch it down as originally planned? If it is only on the sleeve, can you toss it and make a new one?

If it is extra strong multi purpose glue, I don't think its going to wash out.

That sure was the wrong glue. What made you want to use that? School glue dissolves in water and is not toxic. Kids do get it in their mouths.

Absolutely the wrong glue. I use Elmer’s washable school glue all the time. It washes out. Always. And doesn’t dry so hard a needle won’t go through it.

I too use Elmer's washable school glue, however, I also dilute it as well. When I first tried it I did so on scraps. For me I thought it stuck tooooo good. So I diluted it...not sure about the ratio but somwhere around equal parts. But I test out and add more of what I think it needs to make the consistency I like for it to adhere. What I like best is when I try to take the seam apart I don't have to use too much force...you know...so it doesn't stretch the material at the seam/

Always use Elmer's Washable Glue. I always dilute the glue when I am using it. Have not had any problems using it that way. And, I love sandwiching the quilt with the glue; makes it so much easier to quilt. The glue is all removed after I wash the quilt.

If it is adhered so we’ll why do you have to stitch it.

Basic Elmers glue is just PVA (most glues are a version of this simply with different amounts of water added). So by soaking it in water, it will eventually dissolve. The problem is #1 you have heat set it with the iron so it could take quite awhile to soften and dissolve. But #2 is what is the added element to make it 'extra strong'. Check the ingredients label and you should be able to google that ingredient and it will have info on removing it. Please let us know what you find out, I'm sure it will be helpful to many of us. Good luck.

Don't feel bad about using the wrong glue and overdoing it. A friend of mine used the right glue and glued it like her life depended on it. Ruined her quilt. (blamed me for it) It sounds like your sleeve is secure, so just hang it.

When I use glue, I place it where my needle won't be stitching so it doesn't gum up my needle. I glue my quilt lables to the backside, stitching down 2 outer sides and leaving one side only to be hand stitched during the time I'm hand stitching the binding to the backside. I make triangle labels so that leaves only one side that has to be hand stitched.

I'm sure you are saying to yourself that was a fail but I'm just as sure you'll find a use for that glue someday ... and, yes, I've had that experience too. Washing (or soaking area with water) and trying again will save your project. Or you could use it like this for a while ... until the glue weakens or disolves. One more lesson learned.

A friend was over and she picked up my hexies. I said you can glue baste the fabric to the papers if you want. I thought she knew how to glue baste a hexie. LOL She glued covered the whole hexie to the paper template. I never did get the papers out. Thank goodness it was easier to toss and make more then to try to save them.

If you don't want to use water on it use your iron, the heat will loosen the glue. I do this when I glue baste my hexies and they stick to well.

I don't know about that. It says in the videos from Elmers to Not heat-set the fabric as it would create a permanent bond.

Are you sure it was Elmers washable school glue. This is the way I release my glue all the time but only if it is Elmers School Glue. Forgot to mention that I release the glue while the fabric is still warm.

. I don’t think this applies to the washable school glue. Even if I hear set it, it still washes out. At least that has been my experience. Not talking about Elmer’s Glue All. Just Elmer’s washable school glue n

Here is a video from Elmers.com that may help. If you haven't ironed it, you may have a chance. It may take several times to get it out. If this doesn't work, maybe call Elmers and see if they have any solutions.
So sorry this happened to you and your quilt.
Best of luck in saving your work.
http://elmers.com/videos/video/elmer...-from-clothing

Sorry this happened and hope you can figure out a way to make the quilt and sleeve "all better." Mistakes happen to all of us. Those mistakes help us learn and get better at making quilts. You've had a lot of advice, so hope something helps.

If you glued just in the seam allowance and not the entire sleeve why not just leave it.