Glue – an alternative to fusible web

Yesterday I quilted the Rolling Snowman Placemats and I’m very pleased how my quilting turned out. Even all the threads have been tied off and buried. Today my plan is to add the circles I created last month to make the rolling snowmen. I’m going to try something new today and use glue – an alternative to fusible web for my applique.

Usually, I use a fusible web like HeatnBond for all my applique but I didn’t add any fusible web to the back of the fabric before I cut the circles. This does kind of present a problem for sticking the pieces down to the background so that they can be finished properly with stitching around the raw edges.

What am I going to use? Glue of course!

There are several different kinds of fabric glue available to use and it appears I have 4 different types to choose from. All the glue I have is from the Unique Creative line.

Bottle 1: Fabric Hi-tak

Fabric Hi-tak is a permanent adhesive that’s quick setting, acid-free and washable.

It’s extra tacky and bonds well with fabric, ribbon, canvas, paper, wood and many other products used in quilting and the crafting world.

Hi-tak dries clear and is washable. It needs to dry for 24 hours before washing and cannot be dry cleaned.

This product is flammable.

Bottle 2: Thread in a Bottle

Thread in a Bottle is a non-toxic permanent adhesive which means that when it’s used no sewing is required to finish securing the applique, trims, fabrics or hems in place.

It’s a strong fabric glue suitable for most types of fabrics that dries clear and flexible.

Bottle 3: Quilter’s Basting Glue

Quilter’s Basting Glue is a non-toxic temporary glue perfect for basting small quilts, applying appliques, securing hems and other craft-work.

It can be stitched over after it’s dry and washes out with warm water.

Bottle 4: No-Sew

No-Sew fabric glue is a heat set permanent adhesive that can be used with most natural and synthetic fabrics but it’s not suitable for thin fabrics such as silk, organza and some satin as it could possibly seep through the fabric when applied.

It dries clear and is also flexible when dry.

It is machine washable as well as dry cleanable. It’s recommended to heat set it with a hot iron and no steam 72 hours after application to create a stronger bond.

Great for all kinds of home decor projects and for applying embellishments to a project.

Now that I’ve determined what each bottle of glue is I can choose the right glue for the job.

And the winner is Bottle 3 – Quilter’s Basting glue.

Now it’s time to get to work putting the circles in place on the background.

I’ve opened the bottle by sticking a diaper pin in the end of the nozzle as I only want a small flow of glue and not a gushing rush of glue onto my fabric. Cutting the end slightly will also give a small hole for the glue to come out of.

Turning my fabric over to the wrong side I applied a small line of glue around the edge but not quite on the edge as I don’t want the glue to smear out from underneath when I place my circles on the background.

I also used my finger and did some finger painting with the glue on the back of the circle just so there wouldn’t be a line of it but rather a thin layer of glue to cover more of the fabric.

I put the glue on all the pieces, turned them over and placed them in position on the background.

The glue option works very well for these small single pieces without much fuss or muss.

I’ll let them dry in place and see you tomorrow as I stitch the edges in place for the Rolling Snowman Placemats. So glue – an alternative to fusible web! Who knew!