Homemade spray glue
 

Make your own spray baste glue
I am in the process of string piecing a bunch of quilt blocks, and I decided to use up some scrap batting to make the blocks. I glued the batting to the backing, and this is the glue I used.

Spray Glue

Boil 3 cups water, add 1/2 tsp salt. Reduce heat to medium, whisk 3 Tbsp flour into the water, a pinch at a time. Continue whisking to break up the flour, and cook until it thickens to a consistency of egg white, or maybe gravy.
Cool to room temperature.
Fill a clean spray bottle 1/4 full of rubbing alcohol. Add water/flour to fill the bottle, leaving a little room to shake. Cap it. Shake well before each use.
I don't know how big your spray bottle will be, that's why I tell you to use 1 part rubbing alcohol to 3 parts water/flour.

This glue is wonderful for QAYG blocks. I cut my backing, lay my batting, lift the batting 1/2 way, spray the glue lay the batting back down onto the backing, and do the same to the other half of the block. When it's dry I can gently shake the backing/batting block and it stays glued. I am able to lay my top and quilt it on the machine. I Don't Know if it would work on a bigger quilt.

Thank you for posting this - you can be sure that I will mix some up and try it on my next quilt! I have been using Elmer's Washable School Glue to baste with but I can't get it to spray out of the bottle properly. I will likely iron it as I go along to make the process go along quicker.

thanks for sharing this recipe. can't wait to try it out

Thanks - I've added this to my 'Favorites.' I'll be watching this thread to see what others say after they've tried it. Sounds like another great idea to save money - and frustration at 2am!

ditto ... like you, I'm interested, but hesitant!

I did try that at one time. And I found that if your making a queen or bigger quilt then a laptop or such using that formula I got a little mold forming between the batting and the fabric, I worked on that quilt for several months then noticed the mold. It would probably work better on a quilt your doing up right off and going to wash right after.

Donna

Hi Joanne...is there a link to favorits on this site? If so where do you find it?

Hmmm. I've only been using this for a few months, (I'm strip piecing a QAYG) I've never noticed a problem w/ mold. I would have thought the rubbing alcohol would have prevented this. Something I've gotta watch for. Thanks.

Interesting. I will have to consider this.

Sounds like a fine idea for immediate use.

Thanks for the info!!

A great idea! Thanks so much for this! I had been thinking along these lines too~!:)

Thanks for sharing.

This looks like it would be worth a try :)

I think I'll try this on my binding.

how long does it take before it dries?

Can you reposition your fabric after you spray?

glue mixture.
 

Would your made up mixture keep in the fridge if so for about how long,

The problem with the rubbing alcohol is it will evaporate over time therefore losing any antiseptic type properties.The flour when mixed with the alcohol will create sugars that will invite mold formation.

Sounds like a great idea, but wouldn't use it on something that might not be able to be washed shortly after using since even relative humidity will affect mold formation.

Rosie the Wyldwytch

Thanks so much for posting this, I will have to give it a try. I really like the idea that it doesn't contain a lot of unknown chemicals. But I might have to explain that alcohol smell coming from my sewing area.... my husband might think that my frustrations have led me to drink!

Just an update on how I made the spray - hope it is okay to post here Mrs. Beasley! I tried the pinch of flour at a time but I still had a lumpy mess ( I used to have trouble with gravy too.) I started over again but only boiled 2 cups of water and took the remaining cup of water and flour and put it in my gravy shaker - you know the one from Tupperware or even the 99 cent store. I shook it up and then whisked it into the semi-boiling water. This worked like a charm :) and when it was cooled I followed the rest of the instructions and went down and did a wall quilt and a lap quilt using this new spray glue. Thanks again for another alternative for basting.

carslo--I was wondering about doing that too as I made it the tedious pinch at a time way. I have used it on several baby quilts recently and not a ripple or tuck in the finished product. Before I give them away, I wash with colorless, scentless detergent and dry them. Next put them in a large zip lock bag to keep them clean. I used from my sprayer again last night, but added another T. of alcohol to make up for the evaporation.

I always wash my quilts when finished with Color Catchers too. I can see any flaws that need to be corrected and like the vintage look :) Thanks for the heads up on my rubbing alcohol!

Yes color catchers a must. I prewash and dry my fabrics and still amazed at the color I caught when I washed--had reds in all the quilts so definitely necessary!

That is very interesting!!! Gotta try it. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you for this post, as I will definitely use it.

this is really interesting, I'm gonna give it a go and see what my results are.

This remembers me of the days when we made our own glue. Flour & water....(says my age?)

I know I'm digging up an old thread here, but oh well. Of those of you that have tried this method, how long does it take to dry? I'm very interested in it as 505 is too expensive for me plus I worry about fumes, pinning and the regular Elmer's glue method are painful to my hands and pinning takes forever​!

I'm going to try this on my smaller quilts, and one I'm just starting as a qayg. Thanks so much for the recipe! It's so helpful! The spray baste is expensive, and of course, you have to be careful not to inhale it, so you need a well ventilated area. I'd feel safer using something like this.

I haven't tried it yet, but it seems to me that if you ran a hot iron (no steam) over the glued fabric over batting that it would make it dry very fast. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong!

Thanks :) I will sure mix me up some of this also.