Quiltingboard Forums - Using Elmers School Glue Instead of Pins

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I use the glue when making Prairie Points - holds everything in place and, if it's slightly out of line, can easily pull loose and reposition.

I also love gluing down my bindings instead of pinning. That way, I can take the quilt and hand-sew the binding on a long trip and/or while watching TV, without sticking my finger with pins.

If you're trying to piece fabric and match the pattern together glue is the way to go. Just fold over about 1" of the edge of the piece, press it to crease and then, when you match the pattern perfectly, glue it together - flip over and sew along the crease. Perfect matching.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mom-6 (Post 5096903)

So which works better, the liquid glue or the glue stick?

In my opinion, the liquid glue works better for the binding, and the glue stick works better for piecing and applique. I use both. Fons & Porter make a skinny glue stick, which makes it easy to use for small pieces and tight spaces.

Here's a thread with info about how I do it. http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...t-t180790.html

It's quick and easy. I've been doing it for years

I use Elmer's washable school glue (the liquid) to match seams when it's really important to be accurate. Works great! I put a pin straight through both seam allowances to get the seam matched well, then put a small dot of glue inside the seam near the pin and iron to set. It holds the seams together well, with no pins to remove while I sew.

I don't think the glue stick would work as well for this particular use since it would be hard to get the glue right up to the pin for accuracy. A glue stick might work well for binding; haven't tried it, though.

I have never used the liquid glue, just glue sticks. I can tell you that while glue sticks aren't as accurate and you may get some where you don't exactly need it, they are very easy to use and relatively cheap. And you never have to worry about tips for the bottles of liquid. I can get a pack of 5 at Walmart for less than $2. Don't use the Elmer's spray adhesive, as it is designed to be a permanent bond and will not wash out like school glue. JMHO

But someone posted it has cornstarch--food, bugs, or does that not matter?

I was pinning extra wide rick-rack to a little summer dress I'm making for my grandbaby this morning, and was thinking that if I had a really thin tip and some school glue I could probably spot glue it before sewing instead of all the stinking pinning......I'm going to have find some of those tips and will try if for sewing as well as binding on quilts. Hope it works!!!

I try to post every time this comes up. YOU DO NOT NEED THE TIPS. I just barely open the twist top and use it that way. I DO have the tips but do not use them. They are a carryover from my tole painting days but why use them if it's not necessary. glenda

I used a glue stick at the seams. It worked great till I went to longarm it and the thread shredded about every minute...now if you could soak/wash the glue out before the quilting process it might work better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by girlsfour (Post 5096110)

I work pt at a fabric store & a customer told me about using Elmers School Glue (has to be the school glue) instead of pinning. When she initially tried it (she was skeptical of this), she immediately liked this method better than pinning. She said it made it so easy to be perfectly accurate.

She bought a special tip that goes on the glue bottle to ensure a thin line. Runs the line of glue inside of the 1/4" seam allowance towards the raw edge of fabric, then goes over it with her iron to hold it. She said the school has cornstarch in it and it completely water soluble so if you want to remove the glue, just wet it a little bit. She said there is absolutely no shifting of fabric and her seams match perfectly.

Has/does anyone done this? I am going to try it out next time I am working on a quilt.

I have used it quite a bit and it does work well. I am finding the school glue stick works almost as well, if not as well and it easier for me to use.