Basting with Elmer's Glue - - - ugh
 

After reading the rave reviews about using Elmer's glue to baste quilts I tried it. I used this on 2 quilts and working on basting the third one today. I really struggle with the glue bottle!! When I squeeze it onto my quilt and/or batting my poor hands can't take it. I don't know if that means I am old woman with arthritis or if its carpal tunnel.. but it really ruins it for me. I have tried duliting the glue and then it is much, much easier on wrists and hands.. but I am afraid that it will just soak into the fabric and not stick the layers together. Does anyone else have this problem? What do you do?

I don't have your problem but have read here that some people pour it out, dilute, and paint on very thin with one of those foam craft brushes. You don't need a lot of glue. Maybe this will work for you.

I've never used this method but if I understand it......I thought you were supposed to use a GLUE STICK. The school glue stick. Maybe I'm wrong but it might make a difference.

I can relate, arthritis in my thumb makes it hard to squeeze those bottles. Would a syringe type dispenser work better for you, I bought one at Michaels years ago., easy to use, but anytime you are using that thumb a lot, if you have arthritis, it is going to hurt. You have to rest it!!

I actually bought cheap paint brushes and thought about trying the brushing on technique, but had never seen instructions on that. I had never thought about the glue sticks, the instruction that I saw were with the liquid glue in a bottle. If anyone does the duliute and brush on I would love to hear how much water to glue they use

I use Elmer's washable school glue to baste the sandwich. Not glue sticks.

I have carpal tunnel so I can relate. When I use Elmer's School Glue I dilute it a bit.
Saves glue and you don't get those thick spots under the needle. I apply the glue
like I'm writing with the bottle. I put the batting down, apply the glue then apply the
top or backing on it. Don't worry, there's more glue than you think. A little goes a long
way with Elmer's. I would also suggest wearing a wrist brace and taking a few breaks.

I do dilute the glue and use an applicator tip for more precise placement. Then set with a hot iron. Works for me. There are different applicator tips you can use. Below is a link to the ones I use:
http://www.joann.com/sakura-3-d-crys...8&prefv1=false

I always dilute it to half water and half glue, that helps a ton. Make sure it's hot/warm water so it will easily mix. I've never had it wet still after letting it set out for an after noon and over night. If it does happen to still be wet though, you can run your iron over it to dry it a bit.

Next time I glue baste, I'm going to go a step further and try this method:
http://www.ehow.com/how_6598712_make...lue-spray.html

I dilute the glue but not half and half method .... the globs make hard spots on the fabric .... but after reading SemiSweet's reply, I'm anxious to try that method - sounds a whole lot easier and cost saving too.