Homemade basting spray
#11
SandyQuilter
#12
Somebody has mentioned that Elmer's School Glue is not really glue but starch and that's why it washes out of our quilts that nicely. I do not know if that is true or not, but I have a gallon of Elmers and I use it for many things besides my kids crafts and quilting. Did you know that you can use it instead of cracknel compound to make cracled finish on furniture? I did on two tables and they turned out great.
#13
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Camarillo, CA
Posts: 4,600
Below is a link to Sharon Schamber's Video on Bind a Quilt - she uses Elmers School Glue and heat sets it with her iron. I've been using this system for around 2 years. Works great!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2hWQ5-ZccE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2hWQ5-ZccE
#14
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Oregon City, OR
Posts: 214
I have read many comments about starch use. I have never used it in over 30 years of quilting and my quilts are accurate. I don't believe that early quilters used it either. After all, heating a heavy iron made of iron on a stove that required stoking would be a terrible job. Early quilters could made an accurate Mariner's Compass without starch. They could also make inaccurate ones just like today. Certainly, some of our tools make our accuracy easier and I so use rotary cutting and wonderful rulers.
However, I cringe to think that new quilters read comments about needing to use starch in order to have an accurate quilt. That is simply not true.
What does make for machine assembly accuracy is accurate templates, cutting and sewing slow enough in order to control the fabric as it goes under the presser foot of the sewing machine. When hand sewing, it requires accurate templates, careful fabric marking, and stitching on both patches marked sewing lines.
And for either machine or hand sewing, pressing gently, not ironing with vigor is crucial.
I apologize if I've ruffled anyone's feathers, however, I've bitten my tongue long enough. And I've tried starching. It took too long and didn't add anything to my quilting accuracy, I simply don't see the point.
SandyQuilter
However, I cringe to think that new quilters read comments about needing to use starch in order to have an accurate quilt. That is simply not true.
What does make for machine assembly accuracy is accurate templates, cutting and sewing slow enough in order to control the fabric as it goes under the presser foot of the sewing machine. When hand sewing, it requires accurate templates, careful fabric marking, and stitching on both patches marked sewing lines.
And for either machine or hand sewing, pressing gently, not ironing with vigor is crucial.
I apologize if I've ruffled anyone's feathers, however, I've bitten my tongue long enough. And I've tried starching. It took too long and didn't add anything to my quilting accuracy, I simply don't see the point.
SandyQuilter
I have not tried starch as I can't imagine that it would stick the sandwich together well enough for quilting.
However, I do use starch when I'm piecing, and specifically something that will be cut/sewn on the bias. While it doesn't necessarily do much for the accuracy, it does tend to keep the bias cut edge from becoming distorted.
I guess in the long run that could affect the accuracy or at the very least the distortion of all the parts.
I figure I need all the help I can get. You mentioned sewing slow enough - well that is a problem I have. I'm working on it, but still tend to get in a hurry.
#15
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 4,688
I use Roxanne's Glue-Baste-It and have used washable, acid free glue sticks for basting. I have also spray basted -- but it is hard to do inside with the smell. I plan to use Elmers school glue once I empty the Roxanne's bottle since it is much cheaper. Don't know if I have to thin it down or not.
I do starch when I have washed the fabric, but if I do not wash it then the sizing is usually stiff enough.
I do starch when I have washed the fabric, but if I do not wash it then the sizing is usually stiff enough.
#17
Banned
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 108
I think the original poster was referring to stach as an alternative to basting spray for layering the quilt prior to quilting, not for piecing. I took an applique class many years ago and one of the methods was to use glue sticks to hold the turned under edges in place before hand stitching. I like the watered down Elmer's idea as the basting spray smells awful.
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