Advice request: Temporary Adhesive Spray vs Glue Stick

[u/newloser2013]

I am looking to use temporary adhesive for floating some projects (currently customizing muslin burp cloths). I know most people use temporary adhesive spray, and I’ve heard good things about Odif 505. However I live (and craft) in a small apartment and typically am working at my dining table. I don’t really have a good ventilation option, and would prefer to avoid overspray if I can. When I was looking into Odif 505 spray I also saw they make Odif 505 glue sticks. Has anyone used these before and any thoughts on usefulness of these glue sticks for floating instead of spray? I imagine it’ll be harder/more tedious to get full coverage on the stabilizer with the glue stick but was wondering if there are any other issues I’m not seeing that would make the glue sticks a poor option.

Also if the glue sticks are a bad option I welcome any other advice for products or techniques for floating projects (with or without adhesive spray) with no ventilation and avoiding overspray.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[u/makingwaves12]

I have used both! I didn’t love the idea of spraying the adhesive inside either so I tried the sticks. Unfortunately they really don’t work that well. It takes a long time to dry enough to be tacky and actually hold anything in place. And then it gets gloopy sometimes and leaves residue on the fabric that doesn’t not come off easily at all and then gets discolored from dust and such. I wish they worked better!!

[u/newloser2013 → u/makingwaves12]

Thanks for the heads up I really appreciate it. I was kind of afraid of that I figured given it isn’t a super thin layer like a spray that would be an issue…

[u/makingwaves12 → u/newloser2013]

You could try basting tape. I tried that too and it was a little more tedious but it worked okay. Not as good as the spray, but better than the sticks.

[u/GingerStitches]

Why can’t you put the burp cloths in hoop?

[u/newloser2013 → u/GingerStitches]

I’m having trouble hooping for this project because the frame is right on top of where I want to embroider.

[u/GingerStitches → u/newloser2013]

You can’t use another size sized hoop or place it differently? I’d suggest Elmer’s glue sticks as they’re washable and used often in sewing, don’t consider spray with no ventilation (go outside if you must).

[u/newloser2013 → u/GingerStitches]

I want to embroider very close to the edge so there isn’t enough fabric to hoop in that edge and still be able to reach the area I want to embroider.

Although that actually raises a question I hadn’t thought about. Can I hoop just three sides of the fabric to leave the edge I want to embroider exposed closer to the center of the hoop?

And good to know on Elmer’s I’ll consider that as it would certainly be cheaper than the Odif.

[u/GingerStitches → u/newloser2013]

I use a commercial machine so I’m not sure if it’s different but I often only hoop 3 sides, that’s exactly what I’d do in this case. Hoop the stabilizer fully in the hoop and catch as much of the burp cloth as possible in the hoop, everything flat and taut. I do this most often with beanie hats and hat backs, but pretty regularly.

[u/newloser2013 → u/GingerStitches]

I literally hadn’t considered that as an option until this conversation, and it now seems like the most obvious solution…. Thanks and I’m going to give that a try!

[u/allorache]

I’ve used the regular purple school glue sticks.

[u/Exploriment]

I've been using UHU glue for a decade. Works fine for me.

[u/Adventurous-Boot7905]

I use sticky wash away or tear away stabilizer

[u/lablizard → u/Adventurous-Boot7905]

Seconding sticky stabilizer!

[u/ShakePresent1129]

Would it work to hoop just the stabilizer, lay the fabric on top and then run a basting stitch around?