Gluing is GREAT!
03-05-2013, 08:11 AM
#42
Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 53
Did you wash the table runners when you got done, as when I tried this on a wall hanging, there was hard spots where the glu was.
03-05-2013, 08:33 AM
#43
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,444
Not sure what you mean by "different sewing".
In my opinion, glue and starch are different products with different uses. Starch stabilizes the fabric, glue holds it in place. So no, I don't use it in place of starch.
03-05-2013, 10:55 AM
#44
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,779
I guess my questions were not as understandable as I wished - ....
"Does one work better than the other for different sewing?" I meant, Are there circumstances where the glue stick may be better to use as opposed to using the liquid? example - Would you use the liquid to "pin" down a smaller piece of fabric as in applique and perhaps use a glue stick for "pinning" lengths of fabric as in borders, or binding?
"Does anyone use it for applique instead of starch?" In applique, where the edges are folded under and then sewn, it is common to use liquid starch and apply it with a brush or Qtip to the under turned edges so that they "stick" underneath. This makes sewing easier and quicker whether by hand or by machine especially for smaller, finicky pieces. I was wondering if anyone has used the Elmers glue for this purpose and possibly make the process easier and faster than using liquid starch.
I am thinking that since the glue is concentrated starch and if only a little bit is used that it could possibly be used for smaller pieces when doing applique not only to hold the edges but also to hold in place.
"Does one work better than the other for different sewing?" I meant, Are there circumstances where the glue stick may be better to use as opposed to using the liquid? example - Would you use the liquid to "pin" down a smaller piece of fabric as in applique and perhaps use a glue stick for "pinning" lengths of fabric as in borders, or binding?
"Does anyone use it for applique instead of starch?" In applique, where the edges are folded under and then sewn, it is common to use liquid starch and apply it with a brush or Qtip to the under turned edges so that they "stick" underneath. This makes sewing easier and quicker whether by hand or by machine especially for smaller, finicky pieces. I was wondering if anyone has used the Elmers glue for this purpose and possibly make the process easier and faster than using liquid starch.
I am thinking that since the glue is concentrated starch and if only a little bit is used that it could possibly be used for smaller pieces when doing applique not only to hold the edges but also to hold in place.
03-05-2013, 11:49 AM
#45
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Kaua`i
Posts: 616
Chain piecing is FAST. No pins to make "humps" or remove as you sew.
03-05-2013, 12:09 PM
#46
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,007
I too am shouting the benefits of glue from the rooftops!! My last quilt turned out with perfectly matched 4 patch squares! I was totally elated at how precise it made them! I was using a washable glue stick and it was messy, I just used the very edge of it along the seams and it worked ok. I will invest in a bottle of washable glue next time to ease up the messiness of the stick on my cutting mat. But, I have to say that glue works like magic to ensure your points and seams come out perfectly precise!! YIPPEE!!! I am a perfectionist so this little technique is my new best friend! lol
03-05-2013, 12:33 PM
#47
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,369
In my last quilt (a Warm Wishes) I didn't glue the entire seam but did glue where seams met. Wow, what a difference. So much easier to match. Pins just do let fabric move; glue doesn't. Whoever first discovered this has my gratitude and congrats!
03-05-2013, 12:33 PM
#48
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,444
I guess my questions were not as understandable as I wished - ....
"Does one work better than the other for different sewing?" I meant, Are there circumstances where the glue stick may be better to use as opposed to using the liquid? example - Would you use the liquid to "pin" down a smaller piece of fabric as in applique and perhaps use a glue stick for "pinning" lengths of fabric as in borders, or binding?
"Does anyone use it for applique instead of starch?" In applique, where the edges are folded under and then sewn, it is common to use liquid starch and apply it with a brush or Qtip to the under turned edges so that they "stick" underneath. This makes sewing easier and quicker whether by hand or by machine especially for smaller, finicky pieces. I was wondering if anyone has used the Elmers glue for this purpose and possibly make the process easier and faster than using liquid starch.
I am thinking that since the glue is concentrated starch and if only a little bit is used that it could possibly be used for smaller pieces when doing applique not only to hold the edges but also to hold in place.
"Does one work better than the other for different sewing?" I meant, Are there circumstances where the glue stick may be better to use as opposed to using the liquid? example - Would you use the liquid to "pin" down a smaller piece of fabric as in applique and perhaps use a glue stick for "pinning" lengths of fabric as in borders, or binding?
"Does anyone use it for applique instead of starch?" In applique, where the edges are folded under and then sewn, it is common to use liquid starch and apply it with a brush or Qtip to the under turned edges so that they "stick" underneath. This makes sewing easier and quicker whether by hand or by machine especially for smaller, finicky pieces. I was wondering if anyone has used the Elmers glue for this purpose and possibly make the process easier and faster than using liquid starch.
I am thinking that since the glue is concentrated starch and if only a little bit is used that it could possibly be used for smaller pieces when doing applique not only to hold the edges but also to hold in place.
I've used it a lot on things that would ordinarily be curved piecing, such as clamshells, apple cores, and circles. Is that cheating?
And to clarify something else you said - Elmer's glue is not concentrated starch. I think it used to be, years ago, but no longer. The Elmer's MSDS sheet available on their website states that it is PVAC (polyvinyl acetate) based.
03-05-2013, 05:50 PM
#49
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Houston
Posts: 687
To answer a couple of questions...
I don't use a special nozzle for matching seams or borders. Just put the tiniest bit of pressure on the bottle and dab the tip on the fabric. You'll get little dots or smears of glue. Go as far as you feel comfortable (I like about 6 inches at a time except I do the seam intersections separately) and then place the top layer in place. I like to quickly press and move on. It's faster than it sounds.
Also, I like doing it on the ironing board too for a nice smooth surface and having the iron handy. I prefer to press mine because it sets immediately. It is so much fun to sew those LONG seams without having any pins in the way!
I don't use a special nozzle for matching seams or borders. Just put the tiniest bit of pressure on the bottle and dab the tip on the fabric. You'll get little dots or smears of glue. Go as far as you feel comfortable (I like about 6 inches at a time except I do the seam intersections separately) and then place the top layer in place. I like to quickly press and move on. It's faster than it sounds.
Also, I like doing it on the ironing board too for a nice smooth surface and having the iron handy. I prefer to press mine because it sets immediately. It is so much fun to sew those LONG seams without having any pins in the way!
Last edited by sewplease; 03-05-2013 at 05:55 PM.
03-06-2013, 05:27 AM
#50
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 94
I have to add my two cents worth to gluing with Elmer's Glue.....
I purchased this mini iron from Amazon (no affiliation just a very satisfied customer)
SteamFast SF-717 Home-and-Away Mini Steam Iron
Sold by Amazon.com LLC
This is a very tiny iron and so great for pressing after using the glue - I have NOT used the steam feature so cannot comment on that feature but use it exclusively when piecing. For the $19.95 price it is one of my better investments!!
I purchased this mini iron from Amazon (no affiliation just a very satisfied customer)
SteamFast SF-717 Home-and-Away Mini Steam Iron
Sold by Amazon.com LLC
This is a very tiny iron and so great for pressing after using the glue - I have NOT used the steam feature so cannot comment on that feature but use it exclusively when piecing. For the $19.95 price it is one of my better investments!!
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