Goodbye basting spray, hello...
10-24-2022, 08:51 AM
#12
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: So. Ca desert
Posts: 147
I've finally reached the point that I'm down to a couple of small cans of the stash of the basting spray that I had. Definitely not enough for the quilt I am working on now. So, I I thought I'd go online and order another few cases as I usually do. Well, I think not. It took my breath away to see the price they were since the last time I purchased them, close to double a can, and I thought it was expensive even back then.
So, after doing some searches online for other brands, and finding them expensive as well, I think I may be going old school - back to pinning my quilt sandwiches together.
But, I had one spit thought and since I use a glue stick (Elmer's School Glue) for applique, I'm wondering if I could just use it as sparingly to hold the sandwich together, like where I would normally put pins. Is this a good idea or not? Hopefully this type won't leave marks/stains on the fabric. (it doesn't for the applique) but my applique usually isn't light colored fabric. I do DMQ with quilting rulers, so I would have to remove the pins before quilting each section. Using the stick glue would be easier if it would work to keep my sandwich together.
I could use some advice and ideas from the collective minds on a good direction to go.
So, after doing some searches online for other brands, and finding them expensive as well, I think I may be going old school - back to pinning my quilt sandwiches together.
But, I had one spit thought and since I use a glue stick (Elmer's School Glue) for applique, I'm wondering if I could just use it as sparingly to hold the sandwich together, like where I would normally put pins. Is this a good idea or not? Hopefully this type won't leave marks/stains on the fabric. (it doesn't for the applique) but my applique usually isn't light colored fabric. I do DMQ with quilting rulers, so I would have to remove the pins before quilting each section. Using the stick glue would be easier if it would work to keep my sandwich together.
I could use some advice and ideas from the collective minds on a good direction to go.
10-24-2022, 09:23 AM
#13
Power Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mableton, GA
Posts: 11,252
I use Elmer's washable school glue straight from the bottle. I use the little bottle. If the house is cool I sit it in a glass of warm water. I drizzle it on in a thin grid. I use it instead of pin basting not instead of spray basting. Meaning it doesn't have to cover the entire surface. I'm over 30 quilts in as big as queen size. I use my dining room table. No pool noodles or boards or tape. The glue is forgiving enough to reposition. It is so easy. Never a wrinkle in the batting. When it is dry it does not gum up the needle. It washes out every time. I haven't found a need to thin, spread, paint etc. but then again I don't have carpal tunnel/
wrist/shoulder/neck or back issues. I am able to standup and move around. So easy.
wrist/shoulder/neck or back issues. I am able to standup and move around. So easy.
10-25-2022, 04:56 AM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 706
I wonder if you could delute Elmer's Glue and put it into a spray bottle and use that. I use Elmer's GLue when I go to attach my binding to the borders before I stitch them down and that's without deluting. It washes out either way and might give you just enough holding power.
10-25-2022, 10:38 AM
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2022
Location: Northeast
Posts: 682
I tried the Elmer's School Glue sticks. It was so quick and works great. So much cheaper than the spray basting, for sure!
I'm going to stay with using the Elmer's School Glue Sticks instead of using the 'liquid' Elmer's School Glue. The liquid just sounds messier and wetter to me and since the sticks work I'll be keeping them on my shelf.
The only mess from the Glue stick was two of my fingers got sticky, putting the lid back on when I missed the first time. I brushed the end of the glue stick on my knuckles when I looked away when I was capping it, instead of paying attention!
That's me, can't chew gum and walk at the same time, as the saying goes!
I'm going to stay with using the Elmer's School Glue Sticks instead of using the 'liquid' Elmer's School Glue. The liquid just sounds messier and wetter to me and since the sticks work I'll be keeping them on my shelf.
The only mess from the Glue stick was two of my fingers got sticky, putting the lid back on when I missed the first time. I brushed the end of the glue stick on my knuckles when I looked away when I was capping it, instead of paying attention!
That's me, can't chew gum and walk at the same time, as the saying goes!
Last edited by quiltsfor; 10-25-2022 at 10:47 AM.
10-29-2022, 12:03 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 438
I cannot pin baste any longer thanks to arthritis in the thumb joints...will give the Elmer's glue baste a try! It should be quicker than my usual method (Sharon Schamber's board basting technique, which is very clever and allows you to sit comfortably while basting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMP4iSeYAy4&t=12s )
10-29-2022, 05:15 PM
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: northern minnesota
Posts: 2,439
I did take a class from Sharon Schamber and the board basting method is good! I like too that she basted the quilt sandwich with thread and needle. It was easy to remove as you quilted the piece and held the layers together really well.
11-02-2022, 05:15 PM
#19
Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 21
This weekend I spray-basted a twin size quilt and gosh what a mess, the overspray on my table wasn't too bad but the fumes. Ugh. For next quilt I intend to try the Rockler carpenter's glue bottle method described by BonnieJP above. By the way BonnieJP your collies want to meet my collies =)
