My experience with Glue Basting.
 

Good morning everyone! Yesterday, I began sewing the seams for my Double Irish Chain quilt blocks. I wondered to myself while cutting the fabrics if I would have any problems. Two of the fabrics that I had chosen were very light weight. I am a scrap quilter who has been lucky (thats putting it mildly) enough to have recently been given a retired quilters fabric stash, as she can no longer quilt and her family had no interest. Quite a few pieces of her stash are a very light weight material, but some wonderful colors; so even though, I anticipated some trouble and had never worked with this type before; I cut it with a passion and was excited to see what happened on this "adventure".

Thanks to the board and all of their wonderful tips and beautiful quilt creations and various styles, I have been stepping out of my comfort zone and trying many new things and really focusing on improving my entire quilting experience. Here a while back, I chose to use some tape to mark my 1/4 inch seam line on my Singer; which does work FABULOUSLY. But, being a pinner I have run into issues with my pins and the tape. Nothing pertinent, well at least not until the pin, tape and thin fabric intertwined. LOL. I was ending up with puckers and snags like crazy. By the time I finished the first seam, I knew I had to find a solution.

One of the things I am working at improving is really nice seam lines, you know the ones that actually do line up and meet together so wonderfully. Sitting on the side was my bottle of Elmers Washable School Glue that I have used in applique. I hem hawed at the thought of glueing every seam. But, it was the only thing I could really come up with. So, I gave it a go.

I am sure that it has been mentioned on the board in the past; but I am sorry, I just do not remember for sure...so if I am stepping on toes or anything, please forgive me. I am just so thrilled with the outcome of this method of Glue Basting. For me, it will always be the perfect solution. I just placed a small dot at each seam line, matchine the seams (which was far better than my pinning could ever achieve), place the iron down, press and hold for a few seconds, lift and move down the row.

Wow, instantanious (spelling) super duper results. LOL. It really did not take any longer than pinning and I completed all 17 blocks yesterday. I wanted to share a few photos, that hopefully will demonstrate the accuracy and ease of doing this. Because, really....you have got to try this if you encounter any issues like I did.

Sorry, I carried on forever. Just excited to share my experience and hope that it helps anyone one else facing similiar issues. Thanks again each and every Board Member who posts tips and tutorials, photos and ideas. They really do help!

Thanks for sharing this technique! I plan to try it. I'm glad you included the photographs. When I read your information, I pictured much more glue and wasn't interested. After I saw how little you used, I think it is a great idea. I am going to use Roxanne's. Glue-Baste-It. Thanks!

Thanks for posting this - I'm a non-pinner, but I can see myself trying this with an intricate pattern. Just recently tried spray basting an entire quilt and wondered why on earth I used to spend hours hand-basting. This old dog is learning new tricks!

Have not tried for seams but I plan to. I have glue basted my layers together before FMQ on small items and it worked great.

I just discovered using the spray basting stuff, and it seems to be working well.. I was wondering how to use the glue on quilts.. Are you using Elmers glue, or generic? Are you using it for basting for FMQ, too? Whoa.. All the school supplies are on sale.. Someone mentioned glue sticks.. What do you use them for?
Thanks in advance for the info..

Time to stock up a bit on washable school glue while it's on sale with back-to-school specials! I've done a bit of glue basting but not much. Your photos show very well how nicely it worked to get those corners to match! Thanks for sharing, the glue bottle is going to come off the shelf and put where I can grab it more often. I have done it for adding bindings as well, via the Sharom Schamber method with her video tute. Works great.

By the way, i'm impressed with the neatness of your pins in the magnetic holder! Is that a Singer 301 machine? I recently got a black one that I haven't cleaned up yet, but need to get it done.

I hope that when you try it you have as much success and happiness as I did. It really is simple and does not take but a tad bit of extra effort and time. I have never used Roxannes Glue, but have heard nothing but positive feed on the product.

I have used the glue for applique and basting a quilt and found that both are wonderful techniques and I know with me....any thing that helps make it easier is always the way to go. LOL.

With my last quilt, I tried the spray basting and like you questioned all the hours spent hand basting and/or pinning. I glue basted a small quilt before quilting and it worked well also. It is wonderful trying new techniques and so forth and discovering what we like and do not; then going from there.

I agree....definetely going to be stocking up on this wonderful helper. It does work great for bindings; I also watched her video and gave it a try. Totally hooked. For some reason, the pins are one of my pet pieves....they must be neat. Probablly from poking fingers far to often. LOL. Yes, it is a 301 that was my mothers. Her mother bought it from the local high school and she has been running brilliantly with thousands of miles (most likely). Have a great time with yours; I love mine for straight stitches.

Thank you so much for the great tip and pictures to boot. I am currently working on a mystery quilt that has a lot of points this will help me match my seams and achieve a perfect point.

Yes, I am using Elmers washable school glue. Awhile back, I had tried a generic brand and it was a disaster, discolored the fabric and did not wash out well. Elmers is a must for me from now on. Just do a search on glue basting and you will find loads of links with tutorials and various other ways of using it (binding, applique, basting an entire quilt ). I have tried glue sticks, but was not as happy. Yet others swear by them. I think that trying various methods is fun and informative and helps keep me from getting stuck in a rut. Hope that you give it a try.

Had not thought of the matching points...definetely think that glue would help. Will have to remember and try it. It has been awhile since I have done a mystery. Just might have to check out some links and have another adventure. First, I had best finish this quilt. LOL.

I had used this method in the past but kind of forgot about it. Thanks for the reminder. Your block looks great with perfectly match seams.

Thanks. I use it for my binding but this looks like a great way to use it for matching up seams too.

It is easy to forget about the ease of the glue. LOL. If it would not have been sitting there in front of my face, I do not think I would of thought of trying it.

I know that I will use it again for matching seams; it is easy and uncomplicated. I love techniques that work with my brain. LOL.

Thanks for sharing this tip! I usually "precision pin" my seams but some always slip a bit, as the pin is removed. Your idea sounds like the perfect solution! :thumbup:

I love this board and the people on it!

I know exactly what you are describing. With this material the pins just were not working. The glue worked fantastically.

That may easily have been where I got the idea to do this; but I am not positive. Yet, after my experience and results with these blocks, I know I will be doing it any time I deal with difficult fabrics/seams. Plus, I may begin doing it for all seams. It is simple and quick.

OK.......question here.....does the glue transfer to the needle ???
How soon after glueing do you sew ??????
does the glue make the fabric stiff, and thus do you HAVE TO wash....
does all the glue wash out with no staining ???????????????????

I have just basted a lap size quilt with Elmers School Glue. I didn't use the iron. I squeezed out a thin squiggly line on sections and laid the batting on it. Then when it dried, flipped it over and did the top by squeezing the glue onto the batting. I am very pleased with this method. The top especially is very smooth. I'm not sure about the backing but that would be blamed on my technique. So far I am quilting through the glue with no issues.

ok......................ok silly question here, how do you change your font size and color.....

Quiet a few big award winning quilters glue the quilt top together before sewing. It's easy to make adjustments and get every piece perfect before sewing. I consider glue basting a basic step in quilt making. (Elmer's school glue is not a glue, it's a heavy starch so it is very safe for fabric and washes out completely)

I like to hand applique as well as quilt and I love the glue sticks. I use them to temp hold the design or I stick my needle or toothpick (which ever I'm using) in it a few times and it really helps turn those seams under especially when they fray; it keeps those threads under control. I buy what ever brand is on sale, I've had no problems with any but always keep at least one in my applique kit.

Wow! I use a lot of glue stick but have never used the liquid--great idea! I really don't like spray basting because no matter how careful I am I always end up with over spray, But I have only used it when piecing, not putting the layers together after finishing the top. I use glue stick on my rag quilts when putting layers together--I just mark a small X on each piece. The glue is used up fairly fast so I keep quite a few on hand and have used crayola, elmers and "something" art--can't remember the first part of the name. Glue sticks are on sale right now for 10 cents ea. at Walmart--didn't check the pruice of the liquid glue but bet you I will now! Thanks so much for sharing this with us.

No the glue did not transfer to my needle. When I pressed it with the iron, it dries the glue within a few seconds. Of course, with this project I only used just a tiny drop of glue at each seam....laid the next row on top, taking time to match seams and pressing as I went along. I would say that each row took about a half minute to a minute to prepare, iron and then instantly took to machine and sewed the seam. With Elmers Washable School Glue, I have not had any problems with it washing out and never had a discoloration on any fabric. I wait until the whole project is completed and then wash. I have never in other projects seen any evidence, or even felt stiff....so assume it washes out fabulously. Hopefully, I have answered all of your questions. If not, post again and ask away; I will do my best to answer your questions with what I have experienced and hopefully others will respond as well.

The few times I glue basted the quilt top/batting/back together....it never occured to me to just let it dry naturally. I think it would make that process go smoother. I will have to try it. With these seams, I did use the iron because I did not want to wait around for it to dry. But, I think it would work fabulous to sit in front of the tv and glue baste your seams to prepare for the following day.

I was wondering the same thing myself!

WOW haven't tried this yet...but will now. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for the tip I just bought a lot of glue sticks tried them and they didn't work well for me but I plan to try the school glue now on sale for 50 a bottle

Wow! I did not realize that so many people use this method. But, after my experience, I totally understand why it is used. As long as you take your time, pay attention to where your seams match and do not rush (per say....it really is so quick that you feel as if you are rushing) it goes together fabulously. Plus, as you mentioned, it is so easy to just pull/peel apart the glued area and reapply (much more fun than a seam ripper LOL) that you do not feel pressured. Its funny how I know that it is a starch product....yet still will always think of it and refer to it as glue.

I have watched many videos and read lots of blogs where people rave about the glue sticks. Which is great for all of you. With me for some reason, I always ended up with more glue on me than on the fabric edges. LOL. Could be because I just rubbed it right on without the use of a toothpick or needle. Amazing how I never thought of that. So great tip.

I am so glad I posted; really gaining a lot of knowledge and having a great time responding. I will definetely have to retry the glue sticks and definetely will be stocking up on both to last throughout the year. Hopefully....wonder how many bottles/sticks I will need for an entire year?

Thank all of you for responding!!! This is so fun and informative.

Oh I am really glad that someone else really did not like the glue sticks. I was starting to feel like a real goof ball for not "getting" it. Fifty cents instead of a buck, you bet, I have got to get me some.

I hope that you have as much fun and success as I have. Let me know what you think!

Time to stock up on School glue and glue sticks. Walmart has the school supplies out. Glue sticks are .10 each and bottle school glue is .50. I buy a lot of the Fiskars blunt tip and sharp tip school scissors to keep laying around all over my sewing room on my cutting table, sewing machine table, and ironing board. They are great for thread snipping, no fear of snipping a hole in the fabric with the blunt tip. Also plastic school boxes are super cheap now.

I've done the glue basting and for applique for years, but would you believe I've never used it for sewing pieces!

Now that's a great ideas! Do use the Elmer's for lining up seams and bindings and such but never thought to "baste" a quilt for quilting! Love spray but found out with a huge King size that the backing must have been polyester and the spray did NOT work at all! :mad: