How to Spray Baste Your Quilt with Temporary Spray Adhesive
Quilt Basting Choices
When trying new patterns or quilt piecing methods, I tend to initially make a small size quilt as a sample. It’s a great opportunity to experiment with new ideas and also have a completed quilt quickly. Working with a half dozen of these small projects in the last couple weeks, I didn’t want the final quilting process to hold me up with all that basting.
In the past, basting has been one of those tedious quilting steps that can keep a quilt from getting finished. Then I discovered 505 Temporary Spray Adhesive for fabrics. Since I started using this temporary spray fabric adhesive, my quilts are getting finished much more quickly. I love the ease of spray basting and how well it works. Fortunately, learning how to spray baste your quilt with temporary spray adhesive is easy.
What Are Common Quilt Basting Methods
Quilting and basting go hand in hand. Before any quilting begins, the fabric and batting layers must be basted together. Early quilters used hand basting with thread and needle to keep all the layers together for quilting. Then pinning became the popular method for basting.
For years I basted my quilts with safety pins. The backing was taped down to a table, or the floor for larger quilts. Then the batting was laid on top. Finally, the quilt top was added, and all three layers were basted together with safety pins every few inches. This was a very effective method but was incredibly time intensive, not to mention hard on your hands and knees.
505 Temporary Spray Adhesive Quilt Basting
This fabulous spray adhesive has totally changed my quilt basting process. Previously my finished quilt tops would be set aside until I had time to make room to spread out my new quilt and get it basted. A large quilt could take me a couple hours or more if I was doing it alone. Therefore, not many quilt tops were getting finished and that was disappointing.
Now when I finish a quilt top, it’s so easy to get it basted with spray adhesive and it’s ready to quilt right away. While it works great for small quilts, I’ve also had great success basting large 90+” quilts in just a matter of minutes. This has saved me hours of valuable quilting time.
How Does Temporary Fabric Spray Adhesive for Quilting Work
How To Use Temporary Fabric Spray Adhesive For Quilting
505 Temporary Spray Adhesive for fabrics is a wonderful product that is easy to use and will give you fantastic results. Your quilt layers are lightly sprayed as they are laid out to be basted. Each layer is held to the adjacent layer so you can quilt with little or no worry as the backing, batting and quilt top stay nicely in place.
How Do You Use Spray Adhesive For Hand Quilting
The spray adhesive is used the same way as basting a quilt for hand quilting. You will prepare your quilt layers exactly the same. The spray adhesive does not change the feel of the fabric nor stiffen it at all. The fabric will handle just as it would without the spray adhesive.
How Will 505 Affect My Quilting Fabric
505 Spray Adhesive is acid free. It will not harm or discolor fabric. 505 spray adhesive is odorless, colorless, stainless, spotless and will not gum your sewing needles. The adhesive is non-toxic but as with any aerosol product, it should always be used with good ventilation.
Does The Adhesive Transfer Onto The Other Fabrics
That’s another beauty of this product. Once it’s sprayed on the fabric, it stays put and remains on the surface that you sprayed. The adhesive will not transfer to other fabrics.
Does The Adhesive Wash Out
Once the quilting is completed, the quilt may be washed as you would any other quilt. The glue will release when washed and all that remains is your beautiful quilt.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A Fabric Spray Adhesive
The biggest benefit for my quilting, is how quickly I can now baste an entire quilt. A little baby quilt takes just a few minutes and I’m ready to start quilting. Simply apply the spray adhesive lightly onto the back of your fabric and it will create a temporary bond that will last for months and up to multiple years.
The next best advantage to using a spray adhesive, is that it can be easily adjusted. Sometimes everything just doesn’t line up the way we want. Once sprayed, the fabric may be adjusted or completely repositioned. You can even fold it up for a couple days if you can’t get to it right away.
How Long Does The Adhesive Last Once It’s Sprayed
I have actually had a spray basted quilt set aside for over two years and was able to easily straighten out the edges and get right to the quilting. Everything stayed in place and the quilting turned out perfect.
One of my pet peeves is when any product sticks to my needle. This adhesive will absolutely not adhere to your needle, so your quilting remains nice and smooth. Nor will it get stuck in the eye so you can’t thread it or get clumped up around the needle’s point making it difficult to sew. These are problems I’ve experienced in the past, but not with 505 Temporary Spray Adhesive.
How To Baste A Quilt with Temporary Spray Adhesive
Easily Basting A Quilt with Temporary Spray Adhesive
Prepare your quilt top, backing and batting for basting as you normally would. The backing and batting should be at least 2” – 3” larger than your quilt top. Place a protective layer on the surface where you’ll be spray basting as you may get a bit of over spray in some areas. I generally use an old sheet for a large quilt that will be spray basted on the floor. Or for a smaller quilt, use a towel covering the floor under the quilt you’re spray basting on the wall.
Spray Basting Your Small Quilts
The first step is to layout your backing with the right side facing down on the floor. Smooth the backing from the center to the outer edges but don’t stretch or pull it tight. Once in place, tape it along the outer edges. Smaller size quilts may be laid out and taped onto a tabletop or wall to make it more manageable.
For a small size quilt, the spray adhesive may be applied over the entire surface at once. Then place your batting on next making sure it’s centered with equal spacing on all sides. Now, you may choose to either spray the batting or the wrong side of your quilt top. Some reviews state that quilters may have trouble spraying the adhesive directly onto a polyester batting because it doesn’t adhere as well as it does to natural fibers. I’ve never had a problem and always spray directly onto the batting. But keep this in mind should you have any trouble.
Spray Basting Your Larger Quilts
For larger quilts, the spray adhesive will be applied in sections. First place your batting and fold it to one side exposing half of the backing. For very large quilts, work with about a quarter of the quilt at a time. Lightly spray over the wrong side of the exposed backing fabric from side to side. You shouldn’t see a heavy layer of adhesive on your batting. Keep it lighter than heavier.
Now replace the batting over the backing and pat it smooth being careful not to stretch it. Do the same for the other area(s). With the batting adhered, it’s time to get your quilt top secured and ready to quilt.
Follow the same procedure to baste your quilt top to the batting. Fold half of the quilt top back, spray basting adhesive, replace quilt top and pat it smooth. Repeat for the other half. Now you’re ready to quilt and won’t have to worry about removing all those safety pins.
Useful Tips for Temporary Spray Adhesive Clean up
Place a sheet or towel on the floor to catch any overspray. To minimize overspray, aim the can nozzle towards the middle of the quilt rather than straight along the edges. If there is cleanup required, just use soap and water to wipe away any residue.
If you happen to spray the outer edges of the batting, it will be sticky to hold as you quilt. I just fold the batting over on to itself to conceal the sticky areas. Should you need to quilt close to a folded area, just unfold it while you are working in that area and refold when you’re finished. It really is that easy to use.
Other Recommendations When Using Temporary Spray Adhesive
Shake the can well before using it and give it a quick shake after each pause. Also, always make sure you have good ventilation by either using a fan, opening a window, or spraying outside.
Final Thoughts About Using Temporary Spray Adhesives
Learning how to spray baste your quilt with temporary spray adhesive is easy. 505 Temporary Spray Adhesive is a great product that I use regularly and endorse for others to use. It’s quick and easy to use, doesn’t harm my quilts, and will wait for me if I need to redirect my focus to another project. Best of all is that it’s very forgiving and can be re-positioned if necessary.
It comes in two sizes, with the larger spray can being a better bargain. I usually buy the large cans and have easily basted 5 or 6 quilts with one can, and even more if they are small quilts. Please let me know if you have any questions about using temporary spray adhesive.
Have you had trouble with using the spray after a week or so? I have thrown out as much adhesive as I have used because the nozzle gets clogged.
I don’t have that problem, Mary. A trick I use to clear out the nozzle after using, is to turn the can upside down and spray until only air comes out. That way you know the nozzle and tube are clear. It’s a tried and true method for spray paint too! Happy Quilting,
Lea Lousie
Hi Lea, LOVE all your quilts, instructions, ideas, etc. I have spent these past 2 days reviewing so many of your posts. And now I’m inspired to make a black & white quilt similar to the one shown in this article in the third photo (quilt sitting on top of straw basket). I have found lots of fabrics (as I don’t have a stash) but there was one you used that keeps calling to me that was shown in the third and fifth photos. I can’t find it anywhere. In photo #3 it’s the aqua print in the bottom right corners. It’s again in photo #5–the aqua print in the horizontal zigzag pattern going across the quilt. The fabric pattern resembles pebbles/stones/terrazzo, etc. Just love all the colors in this fabric!!! Are you able to tell me the name of that fabric–company, designer, etc? I thought I sent you a message earlier but not sure if it went thru so apologize if this is a duplicate request.
Hi Patti, yes, that fabric mixes so perfectly with other prints! It’s a batik I bought many years ago and probably isn’t even available any longer. What you can try, is contacting some of the larger online batik fabric shops, like Hancock’s of Paducah or Batiks Plus. Email them a photo of the fabric and they may have some available. The other option is to try SewRenewable.com in the same manner. They sell fabric from estate sales and most of it is about $8/yd – a very good price. If you send them an image they’ll try to match if possible. Good Luck and I hope you can find some. Happy Quilting,
Lea Louise
Love your posts and look forward to all the wonderful information I get every time you post great time saving tips. There are always new quilters who are learning and the tips make quilting so much more fun. Thanks so much.