I live in a rural area where I can't buy "spray-on temporary adhesive" in any local stores - even if someone could please tell me a web site where I could buy the right type of adhesive over the internet, that would be a big help. - I have found a few sites with threads, but none with adhesives. Sorry if the above question is a silly one , but I really don't know, and although country folk like me often have to improvise, I don't want to ruin my treasured machine.

I never use spray on adhesive because it usually smells awful, doesn't stick to my stabilizer, & is generally a pain to work with. I always use a glue-stick... one of those little things the kids use in school. Bought a whole pack of them for a couple of dollars at Marc's. Just a dab will hold whatever needs to stay & doesn't seem to gum up my machine works any, plus it will wash out if it needs to. Sharon Schamber (one of the greatest quilters I've seen) uses good 'ole Elmer's white glue with a purchased metal tip screwed on to run a bead down her quilt binding to hold in place till she can get it sewn. The first link shows her 9+ minute youtube video using the Elmer's glue (it doesn't show up until about minute 7 - if you want, fast forward with the little slider button). P.S. If you have time, watch her 2+ minute video of her Angel quilt... talk about some wicked "quilting"... this lady is truly amazing! Elmer's doesn't dry fast enough to use for machine embroidery but was just showing you how water based glue can be "ok". I've used a basting stitch to hold things together too.

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by crazystitcher 14 Dec 2009

Thank-you for this information - it is interesting to hear from some one who has used water based glue

Have you tried the blue tape method? Apply tape to bottom of inside hoop,facing up. Then hoop your stabalizer as usual, insert the taped hoop (sticky side is up) and press towel into the tape. It doesn't leave residue on the hoop or the needle if you should have to stitch through it, it just pulls off the towel and tears away from any stray stitches. You can hoop several towels in a row before replacing the tape. Works like a charm. I sometimes pin as well, just in case, but have done many towels, tea towels, napkins, etc. I very seldom ever hoop anymore. No more marks on anything!

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by crazystitcher 14 Dec 2009

Thank-you for this suggestion -will try it - hooping does tend to leave marks & it is not always practical to wash & tumble to remove the marks in the case of gifts

Not sure if posting under "answer" is appropriate, but just wanted to say an extra big THANK_YOU to everyone who helped and YIPPEE! I embroidered my first towel last night - only a cheapy for my little dog, using the hooped "sandwich" & NO GLUE, but it turned out great, with a little embossed design & some writing from my machine's font; now I'm going to tackle some nicer towels for Christmas presents - thank-you and Merry Christmas!

I know all about the 'rural area' thing, CrazyStitcher! I like the idea of pinning around the edges, that wss-towel-tear away sandwich isn't going to go anywhere. I've done some inexpensive hand towels and face cloths, so I just hooped them. The cheap ones are so thin, hooping isn't a problem. If y'all are giving good, thick towels, I'd go for the pins. I have the 505 basting spray, but I do have a dealer right here. That's WAY expensive, and besides it stinks, so I don't use it very often, and only in the garage. And find ways to avoid using it at all if I can. Good luck with your towels! Hugs, Marji

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by crazystitcher 13 Dec 2009

Thank-you so much, I'm ready to tackle my first towel - think I'll start with something not too important -just in case.......

Sweetie, just hoop the stabilizer and mark the middle and lay your project on top and pin around the edges making sure the needle won't hit a pin and you will be fine.

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by crazystitcher 13 Dec 2009

thank-you, you make it sound alot simpler than I imagined it would be! - the "project" instructions at Emboidery Library had me worried about the "adhesive"

You have some wonderful advice here from some of the best of "Cute". H&8

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by crazystitcher 13 Dec 2009

Thanks - hearing similar advice from you all is giving me more confidence

crazystitcher, I wouldn't attempt to use any adhesive on my towel projects - I would use a tear away stabilizer in the hoop and lay the toweling over the hoop - place a WSS topping down and pin it into place - making sure that it is smooth and wrinkle free - I have used this method on many towels and enjoyed the outcome. And there are some sites that do sell the adhesives - you might just do a search for quilt basting spray (I use one called Sullivan's in a pink can) or embroidery temporary spray adhesive and see what you come up with.

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by crazystitcher 13 Dec 2009

thanks for your help, if the towel is fairly thick,does the weight of the stabilizer matter?

Avoid using any type of glue!!!!!
You use iron on stabilizer on the back of the towel and wss Solvy on top.Hoop these, then slip the appropriate number of medium weight, tear away stabilizers under the hoop. As there is no difference between cut away and tear away, tear away is more appropriate as it tears away nice and clean.

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by crazystitcher 13 Dec 2009

Thank-you for this advice - definitely going to stay away from using glue!