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Precise piecing using glue basting // Technique Tutorial Tuesday

As I am advancing as a quilter my desire to achieve precise piecing is growing. Matching up those pesky points on difficult blocks can be a challenge. This is a challenge I have been determined to overcome. IMG_2475

A few months ago I began using a glue basting technique my friend Cristy shared with me. This technique has improved my piecing accuracy by leaps and bounds, so I asked Cristy if she would visit Pile O' Fabric and share a tutorial on the technique with for Technique Tutorial Tuesday.

purple-daises-cristy

Meet Cristy

Cristy Fincher owns Purple Daisies LLC and blogs at Sew Much Like Mom. Before becoming a mom, Cristy was an elementary school teacher.  She loved teaching and is thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to teach, but in a new way. She and her mother Sharon Schamber produce many really wonderful quilting videos for their shop Purple Daisies LLC

From Cristy…

If I could, I would scream it from the rooftops: "Glue basting is life changing!!" I get a bit of reluctance from some quilters, and sewists, who haven't tried glue basting, or are cautious (maybe even scared) of trying it. Almost always, once they try glue basting, they "get it" and understand why it works so well. Then they discover how it can work for them and their sewing. This simple technique of glue basting can change your world, if you want it to, and if you give it a try. You might just love what you make, even more. Good technique matters (another little thing I want to scream from the rooftops). Whether your style of sewing and quilting is modern, traditional or anything in between. Knowing and using techniques that are simple, easy, and efficient will give you better results. Awesome, right?! There are lots of things I use glue basting on: seams, binding, applique, and clothing. I really enjoy the simple precision I get from this easy technique. You only need three things: Elmer's Washable School GlueGlue Tips, and a hot, dry iron. I prefer Elmer's over other basting glues because it's less expensive and washes out better than others I've tried. For glue basting basics, you can watch the video I put together. Also, I've listed the steps below, in a simple tutorial. Enjoy!

Cristy's Video Tutorial

UPDATE: Since this post I have also put together another quick video tutorial on glue basting which you can see here.

The Glue Tips

 

I use the same glue tips as Cristy is using in her video tutorial, and they can be purchased in the Pile O' Fabric shop at pileofabric.com/glue-tips 

Thank you so much Cristy for sharing this very helpful technique with us! You can read a step by step photo tutorial of this technique at Cristy's blog Sew Much Like Mom.

Alyssa
Alyssa Williams

Alyssa Williams

Creator of Pile O' Fabric

Alyssa Lichner is a graphic designer turned avid sewist. She writes modern quilting tutorials and shares techniques and inspiration on her blog, Pile O’ Fabric. Alyssa has a passion for exploring different techniques and applying them to modern designs. She is thankful to have the opportunity to share these techniques, through her tutorials, patterns, and classes with quilters around the world. She always encourages her readers and students to challenge themselves to try new things and to approach quilting with a fearless attitude.

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