Glue Basting 101: How to Use School Glue to Baste a Quilt of ANY Size

Hey, Everyone! Today, we're discussing my tried and true method of using Elmer's glue for basting a quilt. In this tutorial, I'll show you how I cut my batting, how to baste a quilt using ONLY Elmer's glue, and I'll also be giving you all my secret tips that I've learned over the years to get a perfectly basted quilt every time!

This was a highly requested video from my previous video, where I gave you my Top 10 quilting products that I use regularly, and I'm super excited to show you how easy it is to baste a quilt with glue. Thank you so much for watching, and have a great day!

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[martiparsons]

One tip! I have been glue basting for several years. I flatten my glue by just lightly dragging a foam brush over it before I pull over the fabric. That takes care of any issue of a spot showing through a light fabric. Your video is very well done!!

[pammcdowell]

Miriam! Your video on how to baste a quilt using elmers glue has changed my quilting life!!! I have had so many back surgeries, and basting has always been difficult, time-consuming, and terribly painful for me. And then YouTube recommended this video to me. I thought...no way could this work! Well, it did!!! I am so excited to baste more quilt tops! I would get to the basting step and dread would overwhelm me and I would put quilt tops off to the side. So now, its my new favorite step! Thank you, thank you, thank you for this amazing video. It was thorough, informative, and fun!! Love your banter with the kitty! She is beautiful! Following you on Instagram now too!

[judyl]

Thank you for taking the time to show the ENTIRE process. Great tutorial.

[ReneeCaraway]

Two months ago I had no desire, much less any idea how, to make a quilt. That’s when THIS video popped up in my YouTube feed. For some reason I clicked on it and watched the whole thing. From there I went to your straight line quilting tutorial. Next day, I went shopping. I have now made two small/medium quilts (plus one rag quilt). Both times I basted with the Elmer’s glue. After finishing my third quilt top, I thought I’d just TRY basting with pins since it seems like that’s how most people seem to do it. Well, I have now ripped out my two lines of quilting, pulled out all those pins, and just finished getting the whole sandwich basted with the Elmer’s school glue. This is the only way I’ll ever do it again. I have no idea why anyone would use pins. If I had tried that first, I probably would’ve never finished the first one, much less ever try quilting again. This method is genius. By the way, thanks to your videos inspiring me in the first place, I am now OBSESSED with quilting.

[Dranma]

I’ve never seen anyone baste with glue before! I love it! I hate the spray adhesive because it goes everywhere and it’s so expensive! Thank you!

[dianemerrill]

I just tried this glue basting on a queen size quilt. I have been quilting for about 35 years and tried them all. This one works by far the best for me right now. I am too old "82" to crawl around on the floor. Thank you so much for your clear instructions. Keep up the good work. You can teach an old dog new tricks.

[Darbydo]

Four things:
1- Kimchee is The most Gorgeous cat!
2- I will be buying my gallon of Elmer’s glue. What a great idea, and way cheaper than spray. My favorite way to bind includes glue.
3- thank you for demoing this with a good size quilt, instead of a wall hanging.
4- So excited to be able to make my quilt sandwich off the floor. Thank You!

[sunseekerrs]

I love using undiluted Elmer’s glue for basting! Saves money, saves time, and that quilt sandwich won’t shift.

[suekelly]

I have been quilting for years and never once thought of halving my quilt top for measuring its batting. You made this part of my projects easier. Thanks.

[CatyW-zuip]

I just basted the backing to the batting. I can't believe I did it and I enjoyed it. Pin basting made my hands hurt so much!!!

My batting was not from a roll--I purchased throw size 60 x 60. I had to put a pin at the end halfway (on each side of the batting and backing ) to help me center the backing on the batting. Everything went well!!! It went quickly and I didn't have to lock up the cat. You are right--if the glue string is heavy the best way to fix it is with the tip of the bottle. I'm glad this video showed you basting a quilt that is bigger than your table since I did mine on a folding table (72 x 30) I purchased for glue basting. When it dries I'll do the quilt top. Thanks so much. This video is life changing for quilters.

[cherylbickford]

Thank you so much. Particularly showing the physical tasks in full. I can’t believe I didn’t think to fold my quilt when measuring batting off the roll! Can still learn heaps at 70. Love from Australia

[carolferrett]

What a great demo - thank you so much. I will definitely be trying this. A little tip; I once saw a YouTube where the lady stuck two wooden skewers on the centre of the table so that she had the centre of top and bottom, and left and right. I find this very useful because I fold my fabric into quarters and then locate the centre by touch and then gently unfold the fabric. It makes it easier to manipulate when using a smaller table. I'm a new subscriber now; your delivery is lovely.

[pammcdowell]

I am definitely trying this method of basting my quilts!!! I am disabled and basting is the worst for me! This seems so much more easier and less time and less pain!!! Thank you for this video!! Very well done. New follower!!

[janthompson]

I have over 30 tops to quilt that I have made. I tried spray basting and gave up. Elmers glue sure looks like a game changer 2025 is going to be a quilting year. Thank you

[sandramilne]

Oh how have I lived without knowing this trick? Amazing, thank you!

[janicebadeau]

AMAZING! Now I know what my daughter means by "life changing." I did this over the weekend and it was so easy and so fast! I quilted it the next day and no problems at all! THANK YOU SO

[sharonsienaski]

It’s the Miriam and Kimmy Show!
As a newbie never knew this trick. Great tutorial. It’s wonderful how much you love your pet. I wish this for all pets.

[rosemarys]

Nice tutorial! I have seen people paint brush the Elmers onto the layers for basting, yours seems a bit easier. I do use Elmers for gluing down the binding after it's stitched to the quilt and ready to flip it to the other side. I just put glue down, fold the binding onto it and iron it on to dry the glue fast. Makes it so nice to not have pins and no ripples when sewing. I look forward to seeing your quilting ideas.

[earlyquilter]

Thank you soooo much for SHOWING the entire process instead of just telling us how to do it. Seeing is believing...and I can't wait to try this. I love your easy going style! I feel I can definitely do this.

[DeniseSchultz]

This is such a wonderful addition to quilt basting methods. Aand … I loved your jazz interludes, and I was especially touched to see the way you and Kimi get along: mutual respect and love. Thank you so much for caring that she really enjoys quilt basting. You are a great team.