A few months ago, I posted an Instagram reel that got a lot of questions. In the reel, I demonstrated how I basted my quilts with pool noodles. You can watch the reel here on my Instagram CLICK HERE
Part of that process involves using temporary spray adhesive to hold my quilt sandwich together. A lot of you may not know what that is, so let me explain.
There are different ways you can baste your quilt sandwich together. You can use safety pins or hand baste your quilt with needle and thread. I prefer spray basting. Basting spray is a temporary solution to hold your quilt layers together. Then the quilt is ready for free motion quilting, straight line stitching or hand quilting.
I have tried three brands of spray baste. Spray N Bond, June Tailor and 505.
Here is how I rank these brands. This is my personal opinion. Your opinions of these may differ.
June Tailor – this is my least favorite. Even though the can says won’t gum up needles, this brand caused a lot of build up on my machine needle. As a result, I’d get a lot of thread breaks. The solution? Keep the needle wiped clean. If you see the adhesive starting to build up on the needle, wipe it off right away. The other thing I don’t like about June Tailor is the spray. It’s an aerosol. A fine mist spray that goes EVERYWHERE. It reminds me of Final Net hair spray from the 80s. That stuff lingers in the air and lands all over the place. Lastly, the nozzle tends to get caked with adhesive. I would have to stick a pin into the hole to clean it out to get the spray to work. The pros: June Tailor is VERY strong and sticky. Won’t cause quilt to shift under the needle. It has a strong smell, but it’s not unpleasant. In fact, I’ve given quilts away as gifts before washing, and the person commented on how good it smelled. LOL. Cost – $10-12
Spray N Bond – This is my go-to. Mostly because it’s readily available at the store. Also, it does NOT gunk up my needle at all. The spray stays localized where you aim it. It’s a strong hold. Doesn’t have a smell and the price is right. I really like this brand. Cost – $9-10.
505 – I really like this brand. Unfortunately, I can’t always find it in the store, so I use this one the least. Does not leave a residue or buildup on the needle. It’s a strong hold – and does not have any odor. Also has a localized spray. No aerosol. I have nothing bad to say about this brand. When I do find it in the store, I’ll buy a can. It works really well. Cost – $13-15
Remember, it doesn’t take a lot. The spray baste is very tacky and a little goes a long way. I can baste two small throw size quilts using one can. Always follow the instructions on the can. Spray the batting, not the quilt top. If you over spray the fabric, it can leave a stain. I do, however, spray directly on my backing fabric.
Why Use Basting Spray?
Spray basting has become my go-to method for sandwiching quilts. It’s faster than pin basting, easier on the knees and back, and gives me a nice smooth surface for free motion quilting. For many quilters (especially those of us not in love with crawling on the floor!), it’s a total game changer.
Let’s address a few of the top questions and concerns I saw in the comments of my Instagram reel:
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“Does it stick to your table?” I baste my quilts on my dining room table. Yes, overspray can leave a residue. You can use an old vinyl table cloth to cover your surface ahead of time. Spray sparingly and only on the batting. If I overspray, it does go onto the surface of my table. To remove it, I just wipe with Goo Gone afterward, and it removes the stickiness without removing the finish from the wood.
“How do you remove the glue from your quilt?” All the sprays I use are designed to wash out. After quilting and binding, a gentle wash in detergent will remove any leftover adhesive or smell. -
“Are the fumes toxic?” From the directions on the cans, it is flammable. Always spray in a well-ventilated area. Sometimes I do wear a mask. But I try to make sure the windows are open and I’m not inhaling the fumes. Some brands have an aerosol spray — those ones tend to linger in the air. I don’t like them. Try not to over-spray. A little goes a long way! If you have a surface to spray outside or in an open garage, even better.
- “Does it hold together while quilting?” Yes. Very well, in fact. I’ve never had the adhesive come loose or shift while I’m quilting. That stuff stays put. I even use spray to splice pieces of batting together without stitching it.
- “Can you hand quilt with it?” I’m not able to answer this question because I do not hand quilt. I can tell you, however, that the spray adhesives do not make your quilt sandwich stiff, hard or crinkly. My guess would be you can hand quilt with it.
Final Thoughts
Each quilter has their favorite based on how they work and where they work. If you’re just starting out, I suggest trying 505—it has the best balance of hold and usability in my experience. This post reflects my own personal opinions. I encourage you to try them yourself, and find what works best for you and gives you the results you are looking for.
And if you haven’t tried the pool noodle trick yet, check out my reel! It’ll save your knees and change how you think about basting forever.
