BonnieJP

I have glue basted more than 100 quilts using Elmer’s Washable School Glue. I tried other methods, but like the glue basting best because I never get any puckers on the front or back of my quilts. Using this method, the quilts never come out stiff and there is no chemical smell or overspray to deal with.

1. Roll the quilt top on a pool noodle (right side up). This will make it easier to put the top on the batting later.

2. Fill a carpenter’s glue roller bottle with undiluted Elmer's Washable School Glue. Do not dilute the glue because you want it come out of the bottle slowly.

3. Starting at one end, gently squeeze the glue bottle to feed a small amount onto the batting in an X pattern, making sure there are no glue globs that would make the quilt stiff. Aim for a thin line of glue, not a wide strip, about the width of a line drawn with a fine tip marker. If it looks like there's more glue than I want on the batting, I stop squeezing the bottle and just use the roller to "spread" it.

4. I usually apply the glue in a 10” -12” high row across the batting, then begin unrolling the quilt top onto the glued batting a “row” at a time.

5. Remove any wrinkles as you go by smoothing the glued top from the center to the edges with your hands, similar to the way you’d smooth wallpaper on a wall.

6. After the glued top has dried a few hours, flip the sandwich and glue the backing to the batting following steps 1 through 5 above.

7. Let the glued backing dry overnight.

I wash the roller thoroughly with warm water immediately after using it to glue. The roller can be easily popped out and I just rub it down with my fingers under warm water to remove the glue and any accumulated fuzz/threads. The roller is a made from a hard rubber. As long as you clean the glue after every use, the bottle and roller should last for years. There really is nothing to wear out.

This is the easiest way I have found to glue baste my quilts. The glue is cheap at $10-$15 per gallon and will glue numerous quilts. Quick and easy to do, no chemical smell or overspray, and no puckers in the finished quilt. Hope these tips help.

Carpenters’ glue roller bottles are available on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Big-Horn-1904...%2C191&sr=8-23

Onebyone

I use Elmer's school glue. I use a paint brush and brush it on the back, then add batting and press until dry. Then brush the top put on top of the batting and press. Dried glue won't stick to the needle, it hasn't so far. I do it in sections using several folding tables or as many as I need. I buy the fold up in the middle tables so they are easy to carry and store. I have six of them in the laundry room closet, two on the right , two on the left and two in the back. My husband has several in the garage and his workshop. We can set up for a banquet if needed. LOL

aashley333

I use 505 Spray with no problems. I found a good price at https://www.wawak.com/Garment-Constr...ive/?sku=GLU29 .

SuzSLO

Bonnie: Thanks for the detailed explanation.

Because you are using undiluted glue, are you able to pre-mark a quilt with a wash-out marker? I have good success with the home made spray baste (‘though the Vodka is not quite as cheap as the Elmer’s), but it is too wet to use a quilt with markings.

juliasb

Once I started glue basting I decided there was no other way! I love it, love it , love it. I do small sections at a time pressing as I go. Then turn and repeat the process. For me t here is no going back to to pins or sprays.

Onebyone

Bonniejp Thanks for the tip about the Glue Roller. I ordered one. Should be quicker then using a brush.

BonnieJP

I use chalk, rather than wash out markers, so I really don't know if your washable markings would disappear. You are only spreading lines (like you would with a marker) so worst case scenario, you might have "skips" in your markings. You could try it on a scrap and see what happens to your markings or you could mark the quilt after the glue dries.

SusieQOH

Bonnie, thanks for your detailed instructions. I ordered a roller. I like glue basting a lot but I think this way is even better.

FoggyButFocused

Does the glue basting work well regardless of the way it is quilted? For example, DSM or hoop frame?

SuzSLO

Thanks. I will try it some time.