What if one simple school supply could change how you do your binding forever?
And yes, I mean forever! This tip is THAT good!
I learned how to use Elmer’s School Glue (yes, just the normal kind you can find for less than a buck at back-to-school time) to baste my binding, and my life became forever changed with this quilting hack.
Binding, the final step of the quilting process that finishes your edges nicely, is one of my least favorite parts. As the daughter of an avid quilter, I’ve always had it ingrained in my head that hand-tacking down binding was “the best and only” way to finish up this last step of the quilting process.
And yes, hand-binding is beautiful! The stitches can be neat and tight and well-hidden, but let’s be honest…ain’t nobody got time for that!
Or at least I don’t!
And therefore, I had SO MANY quilts and wall hangings and other projects get to this last little step, but I just couldn’t find the time to sit down and hand stitch my binding down.
So, I started machine binding some of my quilted wall hangings just so I could move them from the “90% done pile” to the “Whoa Baby this Quilt is FINISHED!” pile, but my frustration mounted when I would sew all of the way around my quilt only to find that I had not picked up some of the binding from the back even though I had used clips to secure.
Enter: Elmer’s School Glue!
Using a light bead of this safe and non-toxic glue as a way to baste down the binding is a game changer! I apply just a light line on the backside of my quilt and dry is quickly using a hot iron.
The hot iron makes it completely dry so you won’t gum up your sewing machine needle, and since so little is needed, there are no dried/hard spots to sew through.
If you get out of control with your glue and get a bit too much on your project, keep in mind that the glue is water-soluble and washable, so that it ain’t no thang!
Watch my full YouTube video tutorial here!
Supplies Needed:
- Elmer’s School Glue
- Hot Iron
- Your almost-finished quilting project
Steps to Glue Baste your Binding:
- On the back side of your project, place a light line of glue along the edge or your quilt. If you are working on large project, you may need to work in sections.
- Bring the binding over from the front. Press down using a hot iron. This will dry the glue and will baste your binding to the back of your quilt
- Repeat for all sides of your project
- Using your sewing machine, stitch in the ditch on the front side of your quilt.
Looking forward to whether or no this quilting tip works for you! Leave a comment below or connect with me on Instagram or YouTube to find links to the full video!!
Love,
Steph
Crafting Connection
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