Basting the top quilt and backing to batting is many quilters’ least favorite quilting step, especially using thread or pins. That is why those who don’t send their quilts to long armers resort to spray basting as the less tedious and faster option.
But what is the best basting spray for quilting? The best basting spray for quilting has a strong hold with a reasonable repositioning window. At the same time, it is a fine consistency that doesn’t stiffen the fabric, discolor it, or gunk up your needle.
If you want to simplify your quilting experience by switching to basting sprays, this article is for you. We provide an easy-to-follow buying guide and a list of the best basting sprays for quilting.
How To Choose The Best Basting Spray For Quilting
Good basting is paramount to sewing smoothly and producing high-quality quilts. That is why you should choose your basting spray carefully.
It’s disappointing to spend money and time on a product only for it to fail terribly. But knowing what to look for helps you land on the right product
Here’s what to consider when choosing basting sprays.
Strength
Not all spray adhesives fuse fabrics well. Some only shine with paper craft but yield a weak bond with fabric. Therefore, choose a basting spray that will securely hold layers of fabric without slipping.
There’s a lot of rolling and unrolling that goes on while quilting. That is why you need a relentless spray adhesive to stand up against all the manipulation.
However, it should have a reasonable repositioning window time in case you don’t align right on the first try.
Consistency
Opt for a basting spray with a very fine consistency. It is easier to lay down a sheer light jet evenly. A heavy or wet stream may result in a blotchy or spotty application. The consistency should be no heavier than hair spray.
Stickiness
A basting spray can be effective without being super sticky. When the formula is extra gummy, it may gunk up your machine needle and turn it into a fuzz magnet.
Buildup on the needle could result in the skipping of stitches or the thread snapping when you sew. You also have to spend time cleaning up all that residue from your needle.
Length Of Hold
Choose a basting spray that does not lose its tack faster than you would usually take to complete a quilt. Sometimes it takes weeks, even months.
So pay attention to how long the basting spray stays sticky if you like taking long breaks. But for those who can spend three hours or longer just to complete a quilt uninterrupted, a spray with a limited hold duration will do.
Coverage
How much coverage do you expect or need? Some sprays go a long way, and others will leave you hanging midway. Therefore, please note the amount of product you are getting and whether it is sufficient for your needs.
How the nozzle sprays also plays a role in how fast you use up the product. A nozzle with excess overspray is wasteful and gives you fewer uses.
Odor
Lastly, consider the odor. Aerosols that produce strong fumes are often associated with high toxicity levels.
In addition to being a health concern, it may be difficult for you as the quilter to endure the fumes. Furthermore, it could take longer to dissipate even after washing the quilt, equally irritating the quilt user.
Opt for low to no odor basting sprays.
The Best Basting Sprays For Quilting
Ready to enjoy free motion quilting without pins blocking your way every 3 inches? Or do you just dread the time-consuming process of pin or hand basting? We’ve got you covered.
These are the best basting sprays handpicked for you to choose from. Whether you are a hand or machine quilter, there’s something for everyone.
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Odif USA 505 Spray and Fix Temporary Fabric Adhesive | Strong adhesion, odorless, longest staying power |
| 2. | SpraynBond Quilt Basting Adhesive Spray | Secure bond, lengthy hold, washes out easily |
| 3. | Sulky Temporary Fabric Adhesive Spray | Precise application, odorless, comfortable size |
| 4. | Dritz 403 Spray Adhesive Clear | Odorless, self-removal |
| 5. | June Tailor JT440 Quilt Basting Spray | Bonds well, good coverage |
| 6. | Sullivans Quilt basting Spray | Excellent adhesion, great coverage |
| 7. | Threaders STK-STY-FAB Stick & Spray Adhesive | Sets permanently with heat, easy repositioning |
1. Odif USA 505 Spray and Fix Temporary Fabric Adhesive
Coming in first is the popular Odif 505 spray adhesive. What makes it a cut above the rest is its unmatched strength, extensive coverage, and odorlessness.
The Orif spray comes in a 12.4 oz can, which is more product than other competing brands. Furthermore, it disperses as a fine mist, and just a little application is needed to get a strong hold.
Speaking of strength, this spray is very reliable as a temporary basting adhesive. No matter how much you twist, turn and roll your quilt, the bond holds up really well.
The best part about using Orif 505 as your basting spray is that you can quilt at your own pace. The holding power lasts almost for an infinite amount of time.
You can take a vacation, go for weeks, even months, and still return to your unfinished quilt. The layers of your top quilt, batting, and backing will all be intact.
Surprisingly, for such strength, you won’t have any problems peeling off any layer for repositioning. The bond is strong yet flexible. Orif 505 is formulated without acids and is colorless, eliminating chances of staining or yellowing your quilt. It won’t gum up on needles either.
Another highlight of Orif is that, unlike other fabric-picky adhesives, it sticks all kinds of batting, woolen, cotton, polyester, blends, etc. Using this basting spray is such a breeze because it is indeed odorless. Still, proper ventilation is a requisite while using it.
The one downside of using Orif is not in the formula’s effectiveness but rather in the design of the can. The nozzle results in so much overspray, which can be messy. Also, it is only removed by dry cleaning.
2. SpraynBond Quilt Basting Adhesive Spray
Second place is the SpraynBond basting adhesive spray. Like Orif, this spray ticks all the right boxes.
The only reason we have it at #2 is because its bond doesn’t compare to Orif in durability and doesn’t stay as long as Orif can.
It has a slight odor too but is almost unnoticeable as it goes away quickly. The product will also wash out when cleaning the quilt if you are worried about fumes.
Notwithstanding, it is one of the most fantastic options for basting sprays because it is light, acid-free, goes on clear, and provides a very secure adhesion.
The bond holds up well to all the wrestling quilts undergo going through a sewing machine. And since it doesn’t change the feel of the fabric, it is suitable for hand basting as well.
SpraynBond is available in 7oz cans and provides sufficient coverage for a full-sized quilt or multiple smaller ones like crib or lap quilts. It doesn’t take much adhesive to hold your layers together, so it lasts a good while.
This formula remains tacky for some time after application, allowing you to make any adjustments necessary.
Despite creating a strong bond, the adhesive begins losing its hold eventually. If the fused layers are left for a long time unsewn, the adhesive starts lifting.
3. Sulky Temporary Fabric Adhesive Spray
Third place is Sulky temporary adhesive—a clear spray adhesive with enormous potential.
It comes in a compact 3.6 oz aerosol can but do not let the size discourage you from buying it. You’ll get many uses out of it because the nozzle is designed for precise application that cuts back on overspray, minimizing wastage.
Also, it would be best if you had a light hand as it doesn’t need a heavy application to stick quilt layers together.
Sulky bonds quilt sandwiches and appliques firmly while still allowing repositioning. However, glued surfaces will start lifting if not stitched within 2-3 days.
If you are not a procrastinator and are willing to get sewing not more than a few days after basting, then Sulky will serve you well.
Working with it is stress-free because it is handy, easy to hold, and odorless. As long as you can finish your quilt in a day or two, you shouldn’t have a problem with it.
4. Dritz 403 Spray Adhesive Clear, 6 ounces
Next in the lineup is Dritz spray adhesive. And the reason we have it in fourth place is that it has a short staying power compared to the rest of the sprays in this review.
On the bright side, unlike other basting sprays, you do not need to wash Dritz out. Rather, it evaporates into the air, gradually becoming less and less sticky till it’s all gone.
It is therefore ideal for anyone ready to stitch right away after basting. Reapplication may be necessary in some areas.
It holds appliques and batting to backing and the top quilt temporarily for smooth machine or hand sewing. We also love that it is odorless.
5. June Tailor JT440 Quilt Basting Spray
June tailor has been many quilters go-to basting spray for the longest time. The 10 oz spray provides enough uses for more than one quilt.
Performance wise, it has a strong hold that stays for weeks and many reviewers affirm excellent results adhering both polyester and cotton batting on backing and quilt tops.
Unfortunately though, the brand has a new formula that doesn’t seem to hold up to the product many used to know. What we know is that the June Tailor formula for basting spray has changed several times over the years hence mixed reviews.
Despite all the flaws, it is still very effective for what it is needed for which is holding quilt layers together firmly.
6. Sullivan’s Quilt Basting Spray
Next in the line up is Sullivan’s Quilt Basting spray. It is among the most reliable basting sprays for superior adhesion.
It holds your quilt layers together securely while still being able to peel off for realignment without losing its tack. Only some light stem ironing is needed to reactivate and strengthen the bond.
You also get so much product to experiment with as a beginner. Sullivan’s is actually the biggest spray can in this review with 13 Ounces of adhesive.
That said, you want to apply the product sparingly because it is prone to excessive overspray. Heavy handedness makes cleaning it off surfaces and washing out of the finished quilt extremely difficult.
Another area where it loses points is in the strong smell of propellants. The fumes produced by Sullivan’s basting spray are super intense and intolerable by smell sensitive users.
Regardless of the drawbacks, we appreciate the strength it displays. Sullivan’s assures you of great adhesion and its bond would never let you down.
You might just need to cover up surrounding surfaces, wear a respirator, and wait a while for it to dry before you begin sewing to truly enjoy it.
7. Threaders STK-STY-FAB Stick & Spray Permanent Fabric Adhesive
And our final pick is Threaders Stick & Stay. The formula is designed to stabilize and hold together layers of fabric before sewing and is recommended for appliques and machine quilting.
With a thorough application, it sticks adequately to get your entire quilt through the sewing machine in one piece. No bubbling or puckering.
The adhesive sets with ironing, therefore, you have a chance to reposition layers before pressing over the quilt to firmly stick the layers together.
A few reviewers mentioned it did leave a white residue on fabric, but you can avoid this mishap by shaking the bottle really well so the rattling bearing inside mixes the contents well.
You should also spritz from a good distance as getting too close leaves marks too. Each spray can contains 8.4oz of adhesive by volume which lasts multiple uses.
Final Thoughts
That is everything we had lined up for you. We sure do hope you are now able to buy any one of these basting spray after comparing their features against your needs.
Remember to make light applications to get the most out of your spray can and also avoid unnecessary stickiness and overspray.
And if it’s your very first time spray basting, we can’t leave you just like that. Here’s a helpful video by Sugaridoo on how to baste a quilt with basting spray.
