Glue Basters- which batting?
10-16-2020, 05:11 AM
#1
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Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Central Ohio
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Glue Basters- which batting?
I'm wondering about this. Maybe I'm not using enough glue? (I use Elmer's washable ).
I use mostly cotton batting and wonder what I'm doing wrong. I seem to end up pinning anyway. Not holding well enough with glue.
Thanks!
I use mostly cotton batting and wonder what I'm doing wrong. I seem to end up pinning anyway. Not holding well enough with glue.
Thanks!
10-16-2020, 05:46 AM
#2
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Waterford Michigan
Posts: 7,241
I love W&N when glue basting. I have also used poly batting successfully. I run an even stream of glue every 4" or so. Often it will separate into small beads but that seems to be ok. I don't go backwards. I just keep going nice and even. Then press that side and flip to the front. I don't seem to have any issues and get a good hold if it is pressed nice and dry. More can be added to the edges if necessary. I space it as if I were quilting 4" apart. Staying nice and steady is most important to me.
10-16-2020, 08:45 AM
#3
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Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Milwaukee, WI from Columbia, SC
Posts: 450
A quick touch with a dry, hot iron helps as well. It sets the glue nicely. To avoid glue on your iron, press using parchment or freezer paper.
I drizzle in a grid pattern and don't feel it needs spreading except at the edges or if I overdo an area. I work approx. a third of the length and the whole width at a time. Like you, I use Elmer's washable school glue.
I drizzle in a grid pattern and don't feel it needs spreading except at the edges or if I overdo an area. I work approx. a third of the length and the whole width at a time. Like you, I use Elmer's washable school glue.
10-16-2020, 09:02 AM
#4
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Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: USA
Posts: 759
I have basted dozens of quilts using Elmer's School Glue and a carpenter's glue roller. I've used this method with wool, polyester, and cotton battings. In the past I had tried spraying, drizzling the glue, and even dabbing with a small paint brush, but was sometimes left with globs of glue in spots. Since switching to the carpenter's glue roller, I don't have globs of glue built up and I never have creases or folds in any of my basted quilts.
10-16-2020, 09:29 AM
#6
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Location: Mableton, GA
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I have glue basted a lot of quilts. I mostly use cotton batting. I sit the bottle in a bowl of hot water to make it flow. Then I drizzle it on in a way to mimic the spacing of pin basting. I might do a grid or a meander. I don’t do anything else - if I get a glob I smooth with my finger. Once one side is done I flip
over and do other side. I usually leave it to dry. I’ve never pressed to dry. I’m never in that much of a hurry. It has been a game changer for me. And the quilt is lighter and easier to maneuver with no pins
over and do other side. I usually leave it to dry. I’ve never pressed to dry. I’m never in that much of a hurry. It has been a game changer for me. And the quilt is lighter and easier to maneuver with no pins
10-17-2020, 10:37 AM
#7
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 269
I water down my glue to about 70% glue to 30% water which makes it flow well enough if I open the tip to fully open. I drizzle in a wide zigzag with about 3-4in between the lines and I make sure to do a line completely around the edges of the quilt and of the area I'm gluing. So basically, a big rectangle with zigzags inside! Then, I use a spackle spreader ($1 at Walmart) to spread out the glue lines some because I figure it helps glue down more area and the spread out glue doesn't make hard little lumps. I always make sure to drizzle the glue on the batting instead of the fabric because I find the glue bonds better that way.
Normally, I have the batting on the bottom and the fabric (top or backing) that I'm trying to glue laying on top of the batting. In the picture, I have it backwards but I was trying to make sure the batting lined up perfectly with the notebook cover fabric so that's why I have it this way
Normally, I have the batting on the bottom and the fabric (top or backing) that I'm trying to glue laying on top of the batting. In the picture, I have it backwards but I was trying to make sure the batting lined up perfectly with the notebook cover fabric so that's why I have it this way
10-17-2020, 07:07 PM
#8
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 269
Oh rats, I'm sorry Susie. I just reread your post and duh, I didn't answer your question at all!
I've glue basted Warm & Natural, Warm & Plush, Hobbs Heirloom cotton, Fairfield 80/20, and one double-batted quilt that was Warm & Plush and Hobbs PolyDown. All of those batts were fine individually but as someone else warned me when I asked about glue basting a double batt, the full polyester battings are harder to glue. I went really heavy on the glue with the PolyDown plus I pinned about every 6 inches and it was still a little beastly to quilt but I loved the results.
How are you doing your glue and are you watering it down?
I found if I didn't water it down (first few times I used it) and didn't spread it out, I would get hard little lumps that were definitely more difficult to wash out later (we have a top loader) and there was obviously more areas that weren't secured.
I've glue basted Warm & Natural, Warm & Plush, Hobbs Heirloom cotton, Fairfield 80/20, and one double-batted quilt that was Warm & Plush and Hobbs PolyDown. All of those batts were fine individually but as someone else warned me when I asked about glue basting a double batt, the full polyester battings are harder to glue. I went really heavy on the glue with the PolyDown plus I pinned about every 6 inches and it was still a little beastly to quilt but I loved the results.
How are you doing your glue and are you watering it down?
I found if I didn't water it down (first few times I used it) and didn't spread it out, I would get hard little lumps that were definitely more difficult to wash out later (we have a top loader) and there was obviously more areas that weren't secured.
