This put up would be the final put up… of 2024! Yikes! That went quick! Most likely one of the crucial overstated feedback of this time of yr—however I’ve to confess it’s actually true for me. This put up could cowl week three of my Cloth Collage Evaluation, however it pertains to one of the crucial requested about strategies—gluing—why and the way.
The six-week refresher (three weeks in 2024, three weeks in 2025) is an introduction to the fundamentals of cloth collage—particularly for all of the newbies who began following my weblog this yr—however it’s additionally preparation for my upcoming stay follow-along Zoom courses starting in February (see under for information and registration).
Beforehand, we coated making a palette for material collage and selecting cloth. At this time we’re prepared to maneuver on to gluing, which with observe—and the hints supplied on this put up—is an simply mastered ability. Over the following few weeks, we’ll proceed to focus on preparatory steps associated to a material collage challenge. So a method or one other, if you happen to subscribe to a four-week Observe-Alongside or not, you’ll be prepared for a colourful and fabulous starting to the New Yr.
Earlier than we meet once more in a weblog put up, the New Yr could have begun. Could your transition be as you would like it to be—quiet or stuffed with loopy dancing, surrounded by mates or reveling in solitude—could it’s protected and “good” for you. Wanting ahead to subsequent yr, and all its prospects. See you then—Susan and Tom
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The Fantastical Fish Observe Alongside in February, will use a fish sample (of your individual design or one which you’ll select free from my assortment) with a 2025 deal with “mixing”—one in every of my most requested about abilities—the method of utilizing the colours and prints in materials to merge one into one other, usually to create the phantasm of type, with highlights and shadows.
The Bugs and Butterflies Observe Alongside (additionally your individual design or based mostly on my patterns) will deal with butterflies and how you can method the flowing and colourful shapes of their fascinating wings. Be taught what to search for in your materials and how you can work with their printed designs to create motion and type—letting the material do a lot of the give you the results you want.
Use the hyperlinks under to register for these four-week courses, held every Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. jap time.
Within the meantime, particularly in case you are new to cloth collage, it could be useful to evaluation the fundamentals by this present collection of posts masking the material collage approach earlier than these courses start. In following posts we’ll proceed with the subjects of: working in sequence, backgrounds, and sheers.
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February 6, 13, 20, 27, 2025 — 7 pm, Jap Time
Fantastical Cloth Collage Fish Zoom Observe-Alongside
REGISTER HERE
Value: $78
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July 24, 31, August 7, 14, 2025 — 7 pm, Jap Time
Fascinating Cloth Collage Bugs and Butterflies Zoom Observe-Alongside
REGISTER HERE
Value: $78
When you’ve ever thought of giving your self the reward of a 5-day week-long cloth collage class expertise with me—and are usually not scared off by staying cozy in your house, not touring anyplace, and retaining your cloth stash shut by—do we have now a particular supply for you—a $100 low cost (which provides you the chance so as to add extra cloth to that stash!).
January 20-24, 2025
Susan Carlson 5-Day Dwell On-line Class—All Ranges, Animals Solely
Value WAS: $995
NOW: $895
REGISTER HERE
Reap the benefits of this particular supply solely for January’s “Cozy” Dwell On-line Cloth Collage Class
Additional Susan Carlson Studying Sources: Susan Carlson Quilts web site, patterns, weblog (generally), YouTube movies, Spiral eWorkshop, Patreon, and our February Fantastical Fish and Summertime’s Fascinating Bugs and Butterfly Work-Alongs
Why Glue? Up to date with Video
First printed January 21, 2017
Considered one of our plans, as we delved into video, was to re-visit and replace a few of my extra common, technique-oriented posts with quick movies. It could additionally let me replace the put up itself with any additional data that I could have forgotten to incorporate the primary time round, or that was impressed by the feedback part for the put up.
The query was: Which put up ought to I select first? Effectively, an apparent alternative could be one of the crucial common.
Since I first printed “Why Glue?” in Could 2016 it has racked up properly over ten thousand views, making it one in every of my hottest posts ever. Seems the best issues are typically essentially the most fascinating and helpful to study.
And you probably have any requests for different blogs to re-visit, and even new questions you’d prefer to have answered, please make notice of them within the feedback part under. Thanks.
Methods to Do It
Typically you simply must see one thing finished with a view to perceive it. Tons of people that learn the unique “Why Glue?” weblog put up questioned how a lot glue to make use of, how you can apply it, how skinny to smear it, and so forth. So, appears to me, it is a excellent alternative to make use of video to clear issues up—drum roll, please.
Reader Query: Hungry Bugs?
Now right here’s a query from the feedback part that I’ve by no means been requested. From Jeanne Marklin: “Have you ever any issues with bugs? That may be my concern—supposedly, they just like the style of dried glue.”
Effectively, I can actually say that I’ve by no means had that drawback. I do dangle my quilts and I think about it could be simpler for bugs to settle in if the quilts had been rolled or folded in storage. Nonetheless, the query took me again to a school portray class the place we pre-treated canvas with rabbit pores and skin glue—a conventional priming strategy of years previous—and one of many related issues is that bugs may be interested in the canvas, as a result of bugs like animal merchandise.
Pondering of that, I had a momentary panic. Famously, glue was manufactured from (and as I came upon, some nonetheless is) butchered horses. Since I eat a vegan eating regimen, the mere risk that my beloved Aleene’s Unique Formulation Cheesy Glue is perhaps constituted of horse or rabbit elements despatched me to Google the query.
So far as I may inform after following just a few hyperlinks, white craft glue in the present day is constituted of petroleum merchandise. I’m unsure if that’s fully reassuring both, however it appears to be freed from animal elements.
So, in reply to Jeanne’s query, we’re most likely protected from bugs consuming our Cheesy Glue collaged quilts.
A minimum of that’s what I wrote earlier than I Googled “Do bugs eat plastic?” And guess what, there’s a wax moth that does—in it’s larval type—however it appears to munch on Styrofoam, like insulation. It’s unlikely the skinny smearing of glue that holds the material in place will ever be enticing to creepy crawlies. And after utilizing the identical glue for about 20 years, I’m going to say it’s fairly protected for the quilts.
Reader Query: Needle Bother?
Maureen (no final title) requested: “When you’ve made your sandwich, do you have got any issues with the machine needle going by the glue if you quilt it??”
Versus the bug query, I get requested this lots. They fear that the quilt can be too stiff for the needle. Aleene’s Cheesy Glue states on the bottle that it dries versatile (and I’ve discovered that to be true). Additionally, solely a little or no glue is required to carry down the material items till I get to the quilting stage. So don’t overdo it—use a “skinny smearing”. (See the video for an instance!)
Alongside the identical traces, others have requested if the needle will get gunky, probably messing up your machine.
I’ve come to the conclusion that that query is usually prompted by the very fact that “Cheesy” is used within the title of the glue I exploit and suggest. I imagine “cheesy” refers back to the comparatively thick viscosity of the glue because it comes out of the bottle. It sits on prime of the material (making it simpler to smear) and doesn’t soak in like a thinner glue may—which may create a darkened spot the place the glue has seeped by.
Once more if you happen to are stingy with how a lot you employ, the glue units up fully dry in a matter of minutes. It’s approach removed from being cheesy (regardless of the title!) by the point you quilt.
Reader Query: Discoloring?
Some have additionally questioned in regards to the potential for discoloration. Is white craft glue (aka polyvinyl acetate) acid free? A Google search answered that sure, it’s, mainly. The quantity of acid is so negligible as to be a non-factor. The knowledge I discovered was on different pure media, paper and wooden—and I’m going to imagine I can embrace cloth in that.
Aleene’s has an acid-free glue accessible today (although not once I first began working this manner). I haven’t tried it as a result of I actually like what I’ve been working with. Moreover I determine I’ve been working with it so lengthy, if an issue was going to come up it could have by now. The perfect proof is expertise. I’ve quilts from the Nineteen Nineties—over twenty years in the past—that present no indicators of discoloration. A hundred years from now? I simply can’t say.
The Unique Put up (just about)
It’s so easy to explain my course of of making cloth collage quilts that most individuals get it straight away.
- Free-hand minimize cloth to form.
- Glue cloth to basis.
- Assemble prime, batting, and backing, then quilt.
However wait…
Step 2 is glue cloth to basis? Glue? Actually?
Sure, actually. I get requested about it at lot and the questions usually fall into one in every of three classes:
- Why adhesive in any respect?
- Why glue as a substitute of a fusible?
- How do you do it?
Why Adhesive At All?
The first motive for utilizing glue is immediacy. Glue permits me to make use of cloth the way in which different artists use paint. Seize a bit of cloth, minimize it, perhaps recut it, pin it, glue it. Executed.
My first collages had been manufactured from paper whereas I used to be in school. I used spray adhesive. I preferred collage lots, even creating a small “library” of pictures minimize from previous books and magazines. (Ah, the pre-internet days!)
So once I first determined to strive glue as a software in cloth collage, I used spray adhesive. The quilt of my husband and his two school roommates, “Shock Me,” was made utilizing spray adhesive. It was what I used to be accustomed to and it labored effective.
Besides I didn’t like the possibly poisonous fumes of spray adhesives. If I used to be going to be doing extra items, I didn’t need to be respiratory that stuff in. I figured that within the long-term it wasn’t one of the best concept.
Additionally, it was annoying to choose up every bit of cloth with a view to spray the again of it. After spending the effort and time to get a bit minimize to precisely the suitable form and positioned in simply the suitable spot, I wasn’t loopy about shifting it once more. (This is identical beef I’ve with glue sticks, which some college students additionally think about using.)
In order that led me to strive plain-old, white, craft glue. It’s non-toxic each for respiratory and for contact. I quickly discovered {that a} tiny dab may be smeared on the middle of every piece whereas it’s nonetheless pinned in place. Press it down and it’s hooked up. I had solved each issues.
There are many white craft glues on the market. The primary one I ever used was Aleene’s. I nonetheless use it in the present day. Aleene’s has since come out with a complete line of various glues and different adhesive merchandise, however I nonetheless use Aleene’s Unique Cheesy Glue.
I’m positive a part of the rationale I nonetheless use Aleene’s Unique is simply plain previous behavior. Nevertheless it does have two properties I actually like. Initially, the consistency appears good, neither too runny nor too goopy. Second, if utilized appropriately (extra on this later), it dries comfortable and pliable (extra on this later, too).
Why Glue As a substitute of a Fusible?
Fusibles—iron-on mesh adhesives—have grown in recognition since I started making cloth collage quilts. A lot of my colleagues use fusibles. Since fusibles are already in lots of my college students’ toolboxes, so to talk, they’re curious why I don’t use them.
Once more, the largest motive is immediacy. If whereas I’m piecing I need to have a dab of purple, I rifle by all my reds (and all my materials that merely include purple). I’ve numerous choices. But when I’ve to decide on head of time (limiting my choices earlier than I even get began), prefuse the material, then seize and minimize, that’s one step too many for me, for my speedy, serendipitous course of.
Moreover, I personal 1000’s of materials. Some chunks are folded neatly. Different bushels of scraps are stuffed into suitcases. If I had been to make all of it accessible for use as fusible, I’d spend an excessive amount of time making use of the fusible net as a substitute of really creating.
After which there’s the query of which aspect to use the fusible to? I typically use the again aspect of a bit as a result of it has precisely the shade of coloration I’m in search of.
Aside from immediacy, the opposite motive I don’t use fusibles is due to how stiff they really feel. I apply a number of layers of cloth—4, 5, six or extra—particularly in elements like eyes, mouths and different facial options. Think about how stiff it could turn into with 4, 5, or six layers of fusible added.
When utilized correctly (extra on this later, I promise), glue dries skinny and versatile. My quilts nonetheless really feel like quilts. Regardless of my untraditional building and design, retaining that tactile flexibility of cloth is vital to me.
Fusibles are nice for many functions (no pun supposed). My pal Laura Wasiloswki is a member of a gaggle known as the Chicago College of Fusing. They do great work. Fusing fits their kinds. And isn’t having totally different kinds what it’s all about?
How Do You Do It?
Cloth collage—the way in which I do it anyway—goes by as many as 5 levels of permanence, giving me numerous probabilities to alter, take away, minimize, cowl up, increase, and permit discovery.
- Inserting minimize items of cloth on a basis.
- Pinning.
- Tacking with glue.
- Completely gluing.
- Quilting.
When I first minimize a bit of cloth, I lay it down on a basis—muslin or different cheap backing cloth. Normally I’ve sketched my design onto the inspiration. After I work on my prolonged drafting desk, I’m working at an angle. Utilizing the cohesion between the material and basis, items keep put fairly properly simply by smoothing them down by hand. After I was engaged on my upright pinning wall on “Crocodylus Smylus,” I used white flannel as a basis. That had much more “stickiness,” permitting me to nonetheless place materials briefly with out even pinning them usually.
Laying down the material on the inspiration is the primary stage of permanence. Subsequent comes pinning. After I can’t put down one other piece with out risking shifting the others, I begin pinning. I’ve tailored my work desk with a homosote board. For my pinning wall I used 2-inch thick styrofoam insulation panels. When the work is flowing I’ll typically place cloth till I run out of pins. That may imply lots of of items of cloth.
I’ll then have to begin gluing.
Aleene’s glue bottle has a pleasant tip. I merely elevate an fringe of the material and apply a small dab to the middle of the piece of the material. Discover I mentioned I apply glue to the heart of the items. I depart the perimeters unfastened at this stage. I could need to come again and trim them down or slip one other piece beneath the sting.
As soon as the dab is in place, I smear it flat. This prevents the glue from soaking by the material and creating spots. I exploit solely a small quantity of glue, simply sufficient to tack it in place. This makes the piece secure, however nonetheless permits me to simply take away cloth if I determine I need to.
As soon as tacked in place, it will keep this manner till piecing is full. Earlier than I start quilting I’ve a choice to make. Often, I’ll select to position a effective netting or tulle over all the piece. That is known as shadow quilting. The netting holds down all of the unfastened edges and prevents the quilting foot on my stitching machine from getting caught.
If I select to not use tulle (which is commonest), I now have to return and glue down all these unfastened edges.
Sure, it’s tedious. Thanks for asking.
“Dixie Dingo Dreaming” took me three days to connect all the perimeters.
When this stage arrived for “Crocodylus Smylus” (aka Stevie the Crocodile), I used to be fairly sure I might use shadow quilting simply as a result of the duty of gluing appeared so daunting, however my husband, Tom, was towards it. I mentioned, “Superb. When you don’t need me to make use of tulle, you’ll have to assist glue.” So he did.
It nonetheless took days.
When it’s finished, the material is completely hooked up. It doesn’t transfer with out some actual work. Since Aleene’s is water-based, dampening the material with a sprig bottle can typically loosen the glue sufficient to elevate. Normally it’s simpler to use new cloth proper over the previous if a change is important. And, by the way in which, these collage quilts of mine are usually not washable. They’re artwork for the wall, to not be subjected to the washer any greater than a watercolor portray.
Catching all these edges is vital to me additionally due to the way in which I method free-motion quilting. I don’t catch each edge once I quilt. As a substitute I exploit an general crazy, spiral, stipple sample. I purpose to hit every bit however not every edge. The glue additionally prevents fraying, performing a bit like Fray Examine with out potential discoloration and scent.
Closing Ideas on Glue
In order that’s the why and the how of utilizing glue for material collage. I didn’t arrive at this manner of working in a single day. It was greater than 26 years in the past now that I began gluing cloth. Again then, utilizing adhesives in quilting raised many an eyebrow. For some, I believe, using glue was considered as “dishonest.”
Effectively, within the final three many years, the rise in recognition of multi-media fiber artwork generally has stretched the definition of what makes a quilt. Quilting is a conventional artwork with a protracted and cherished historical past. The standard strategies of developing quilts must be and are being maintained. However the recognition of artwork quilts has created an explosion of various strategies and kinds. We’re doing issues now that will have been unthinkable with out experimenting with new methods of making.
The common-or-garden glue bottle has helped me to be spontaneously inventive. After all there are different, probably even simpler methods of utilizing cloth to create artwork. I see wonderful cloth artwork in exhibits and on the web on a regular basis.
Will I ever put aside my glue bottle for a distinct approach of doing issues? Hmmm, not within the foreseeable future. However my work, and the way I work, has advanced over time, so who is aware of? I feel that staying open to new concepts and making an attempt new paths are key to the inventive course of. Or I could cling to the approach of working that I’ve grown accustomed to. It’s solely human nature.