ocydroma

I was in Joann's with a friend and was looking for Elmer's washable glue to attempt basting a trial quit sandwich to attempt machine quilting. A lady out of no where sort of came out of nowhere telling me I was going to destroy my machine. And that's not the way to do basting. She also told me I'm going to ruin needles, needle housing and basically the whole machine.

So my question is... Will it damage any part of the machine? I have searched about basting with Elmer's but was wondering if someone could give me an explanation. I can write done in my quilting journal. I appreciate any feedback. I don't want to damage my machine.

Signed,
totally confussed!!

linda faye

Good thing to confirm. We might try find posts on this board concerning glue basting and see if anyone has mentioned machine problems using Elmer's.

I have used it to help piece blocks with stubborn points, etc. and have no trouble. I could see if the glue was put on really think one might have machine problems because it will get hard.

A fellow board member said that she will dilute the glue in a spray bottle, put a thin thread of glue on fabric and use a very small paint roller (trimmer kind) to spread the glue. A very little goes a long way. This would be no worse than a spray basting product.

I will be following this thread to learn what our QB friends have to say.

linda faye

I did a QB search and used "glue machine damage" and was sent to a wealth of information. The best was shown in the Main Section (vs Vintage) and was entitled Cleaning after Elmers Glue method

After I read them all, concensus that it didn't damage our machines. The glue should be dry when sewn.

Please find the posting and read it. I didn't know how to give you a direct link.

citruscountyquilter

I glue baste all the time and my machines have had no ill effects from it. I've never had a problem. I do use a thin stream and wait for it to dry completely before I use my machine. You don't need to use very much and it doesn't have to be spread all over. After all, when you baste with thread or pins you don't have every surface covered. Glue is the same concept. For a full size quilt I use about 1 regular size bottle of glue full strength. There are many discussion on glue basting on Quilting Board. If you use the search function you'll find a lot of information.

I have never had anyone tell me it would ruin my machine but a friend had someone at a quilt shop tell her that. I'm not sure where people are getting their information about ruining a machine. It doesn't seem to be from personal experience. I couldn't find any residue on my needle whenever I sew over dried glue. To wash it out I did find I needed warm water. I usually wash with cold water and that didn't seem to dissolve it all.

The last time I saw washable glue at JoAnn's it was way more expensive that I've seen it other places. You can generally find it for around $1.00 a bottle or less. Back to school sales are great but if you want it sooner I've seen it at Dollar General (Elmer's brand) for $1.00 and Walmart and other discount stores have it for around that as well. Don't pay JoAnn's prices for it.

linda faye

For piecing purposes, I have found that I like the purple Elmer's Washable school glue. The color fades in a few minutes but I am able to see where and how much glue I have applied.

Kitsie

No known problems listed here, I don't think! Save some money and buy it at your local "everything" store. Even some grocery stores have it. That lady was way out of line!!

And, Linda, I've found that the purple stick is much easier to hand sew thru as well. Just keep in Zip lock baggy in fridge.

Peckish

Quilt Police alert!!! Just go buy it at Walmart, no one will question your motives there.

Stitchnripper

I second everything citruscountyquilter said. Have done many just like she says. No diluting, no spreading, no spraying. Just drizzle a thin bead in a grid and let dry. So easy. I'll never go back. None of my machines seem to have been affected by it.

QuiltNama

We just had a speaker come to our quilt guild, she stated that Elmer's glue is a thick starch. She contacted the company and they told her the washable school glue is safe to layer our quilts with, press, sew over and will wash out. But make sure it is only the washable school glue, it also come in tubes but do not use the purple tube on white, the purple dye may stay in the fabric.

juneayerza

I like using the Elmer's School Washable purple glue stick. All one has to do is give the purple glue stick a little tap on the fabric and you can see where the glue is and place your other fabric (batting) on top of it and and move on to the next section just as you would with pin basting. You don't need to have a continuous line of glue and the purple dries clear. Once dry, no problems with clogging machines.

When using it for applique I place a little dab (really it is just basically touching the glue stick lightly to the fabric just so you can see the purple) then I iron over the spot so it is instantly dry and the fabric doesn't shift as I applique around the shape.