I have a huge weird quilting question that Im completely lost on???

**sligman** · 09-29-2012, 01:38 AM

I have recently moved from this huge military house where I had tons of rooms to spread out my quilts on the floor to bast them and tape down the backing and all that goes along with it now were retired and live in a really tiny apartment and have no room in any hardwood floor room and the biggest room i have is the living room and its carpet and thats if i move somethings out of the way ill have maybe enough room to do a full size quilt so is it ok or am I crazy to use duct tape to tape down the backing of my quilt cause i know we normally use making tape for this but i honestly dont think it will stick and i have 4 quilts im working on right now not including my stuff and the small projects i got goin on also. SO do yall think that will work or will it mess up the carpets or any suggestions for doin it ive spent all this money in these quilts and time with a bad back i dont want to not get to finish them. and my family is lookin forward to them badly. PLEASE HELP thanks

**rush88888** · 09-29-2012, 02:07 AM

maybe you'll get lucky again! my idea is to use cellophane packing tape - the wide stuff. try that and see if it will work. i think duct tape would stretch your fabric out of shape when taking it off of the fabric. also, the carpet may work to your advantage. it seems like the fabric will stay where it's placed, kind of like a design wall.

**Stitchit123** · 09-30-2012, 09:17 AM

Duct tape definetly stretches your fabric and can leave a nasty sticky residue.But I had the same problem So what I ended up doing is using safety pins --run the end of pin horizontally into carpet. Now I have a quilt frame I attached to the wall.All it is basically is 1/2 in.thick x 1 in. wide boards that have 1inch long nails protruding out 3/4 inch apart.These nails are barely thicker than strait pins.Each hole would have to be drilled first then push the nail through.The side rails are adjustable for width and the bottom rail is also adjustable for length. I put a 1 inch thick block for spacer at center and both ends on top and bottom rails.----So how handy is your DH

**ckcowl** · 09-29-2012, 02:17 AM

generally- people use pins when doing it on a floor- visit Alex Anderson's web site, or check the tutorials here- there are a couple u=tube videos too that will show you how to pin your quilt backing to the carpeting for layering/basting.
i would not use duct tape or packing tape- the sticky residue left on the fabrics will be not only unsightly-but difficult to remove.
i also do not have room to lay out a large quilt in my home- i visit the community center- when they do not have anything happening it is not a problem to slide a few tables/chairs out of the way & have a large tiled floor to lay everything out & prepared. and they do not charge for using the space. I've also used a room in the basement of our library also for free.
but check out the tutorials for preparing your quilt for quilting- you will find many useful tips- some people prefer a carpeted floor

(easier on the knees)

**lisalovesquilting** · 09-30-2012, 11:51 AM

[QUOTE=ckcowl;5548771]generally- people use pins when doing it on a floor-
Yes, T-pins are what I use. Very sturdy.

**roseirish48** · 09-30-2012, 12:04 PM

i hate getting down on the floor to baste a quilt too. The arthritis makes it so hard to get up and down. I have taken quilts to the church and pin basted them there but when not available or time pressed I have done it at home without getting down on the floor. Since I pin baste my quilts, i just strip my bed down to mattress, spread my backing evenly across and start layering with batting and top. I pin in center and work outward on one side, then walk around and do other side. I sometimes get it pinned to mattress but it is easily corrected.. Everything stays in place and doesnt shift so quickly get it done. Remake the bed when you are finished-heck,you have to do laundry anyway so strip the bed on laundry day and pin baste. Nothing like multitasking!

**wildyard** · 09-30-2012, 01:10 PM

Try asking at your library about using their big meeting room tables during a time when they are not being used. Much easier on your back too.

**Debbie C** · 10-01-2012, 03:03 PM

Duct Tape will leave a horrible residue on everything it's stuck to.....DO NOT USE IT!! Perhaps you have a community center where you are able to put a couple of tables together to baste your quilts. I used to use the empty cafeteria of my local elementary school after hours. They were kind enough to let me in for an hour or two when I needed the space. Maybe a friend's house if all else fails.

**jeank** · 09-29-2012, 02:19 AM

I would not use duct tape, it leaves a sticky residue.

What about checking with your local library, church, township hall, or senior center about using their banquet tables for a couple of hours? Most will let you. Put a couple together to make it large enough. I like this because you are not down on the floor.

**Aurora** · 09-30-2012, 04:31 AM

Originally Posted by jeank

I would not use duct tape, it leaves a sticky residue.

What about checking with your local library, church, township hall, or senior center about using their banquet tables for a couple of hours? Most will let you. Put a couple together to make it large enough. I like this because you are not down on the floor.

In addition to these locations, check out your local County Extension Office, you may even get assisance with the sandwiching.

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