Good morning. I've been practicing my FMQ for a while now and feel I am ready to tackle that table runner I'm working on. For a normal quilt, I have always pin basted it together, but for FMQ, I'm thinking that just won't work.

So, for those of you who have done this before, how would you baste a table runner for FMQ? I'm eager to hear all the possibilities.

Dorothy in PA

You can spray baste. it works well. I have just done two lap size quilts that way. you can also pin baste for fmq but you just have to have a plan and try not to pin where you are wanting to go.

I am going to try 505 basting spray and see how that works. Typically I just pin baste. I think you have 3 choices: basting stitches, pins or basting spray.

I used safety pins and also a light spray of quilt spray to hold it. I am not one to do a lot of heavy basting on a table runner before quilting because it is so small you should be able to control it.

Sorry double post

Spray adhesive 505. If you haven't tried it yet, you are in for a pleasant surprise. There is also fusible batting that is also good to work with.

You can try spray baste - but my machine doesn't like it. I have a Bernina and the stitch regulator has issues with the spray - don't really know why. I have successfully pin basted and started the FMQ in a small area then removed pins as I got close to them.

I just basted my first full size sandwich for FMQ. I used a needle and wash away thread. Don't like pin basting - it makes the sandwich too heavy and for me to hard to move around. I basted using Sharon Schamber's method.

I hand basted the first small wall hanging that I FMQ........because I was not confident enough to stop and take out the pins and continue quilting. This works for me and I still hand baste a small project. I just purchased Pinmoors.......have not used them yet.

spray baste works so well--check out you tube sharon schuber on basting a quilt radical--i could see haw it could work very well---dont know how to do a link someone may halp

I spray baste everything.It works for me

I use the Sharon Schamber method (it's on you tube). Much easier than pins.

I spray baste everything....if you try it, you will never pin again!

Welcome to the board from Southern California!!!

I like to use 505 spray basting!

Thank you everyone for you responses! It looks like I'll be spray basting this one. I'm pretty sure my LQS carries a brand that I can pick up tomorrow. It sounds like it would be perfect for my first FMQ. Wish me luck!

Dorothy in PA

i've been successful with pin basting- but i hate doing all the pinning- when i'm going to quilt with my domestic machine i usually thread baste- just put thread in a big needle- big stitches across- in a grid- for me lots faster than pinning and lots easier to take out after too.

I pin with safety pins and FMQ. I just be careful and remove pins as needed.

Glue stick. I usually use spray basting but yesterday I needed a quick tablerunner for a gift. Also I've been using flannel for the batting in the runners as it lays flatter (prewashed).
I was using a preprinted panel that I cut apart & was adding strips to-used the glue stick instead of pins. Got ready to FMQ & thought, "really don't want the spray" Glue stick was right there. I ran it in spots all over the back of fabric, laid it down on the flannel, etc. Did a practice piece & whipped it out in no time.

Has anyone used Gunold's KK100 adhesive spray? At LQS 18 oz can is $27. Owner claims it works better than 505.

I have tried the spray basting on smaller projects and didn't have too much trouble. Tried it on a quilt that I am quilting in sections, so it was a long narrow piece. It ended up with tons of ugly wrinkles. I had smoothed and smoothed like I did on the smaller projects, but still got the wrinkles. Why is it doing that? Ended up pin basting it.

I just finished fmq'ing a queen I spray basted with a few pins on the edges. Yeah, I know, what was I thinking? The results were great, not one pucker! Just remember if you spray baste, put newspapers around your project, you will have over spray.

Question regarding the 505 spray.....I use the Sulky 2000 spray...i love the factt that it doesnt "stay".
I bought some other spray that was aweful and semi permanent. I didn't like the look that it gave the item.
Does 505 stay? look sticky (wavy) forever?
I too use the Sharon Shamber method for basting.

I pin baste and move the pin when i get to it.Connie in CO

I use both the spray and pin methods on my small items. It just depends on what pattern I want to use, sometimes the pattern does not do well for pins.

I spray baste.

I can't find sharon schuber on Youtube..

forget this post..I found the right name.

If they are out (backordered) try somewhere online - I think I got it at Fabric.com and got 4 cans - no shipping - i was tired of waiting for restocking - it wa here in 2 days - but might be 3-4 for you in PA - they ship out of GA

l've had luck w/June Tailor spray basting from Walmarts. It's cheaper than most other and it holds up well and I didn't have problems w/gunking up my needle

Thank you for this tip. I also use the Sharon Schambers method of basting and just finished pulling all my basting threads out of a lap throw I free motion quilted. It never occurred to me to use wash away thread. Brilliant! I'll use it next time.

I do pin for FMQ just remove pins as I get close to them! ;)

Good luck, Dorothy in PA. I pin baste everything. For something like a table topper or runner I use fine long straight pins. For larger items I use curved safety pins. I just take out pins in a small area ahead of where I am going.

Agreed! I used 505 on two full-sized quilts and it was wonderful!! Good luck and have fun! :D :D

I pin smaller things and hand baste larger ones....I do not do any spray chemicals...or fusible batting!

I tried pinning (ouch), spraying (gag), etc., but for free motion quilting (on my domestic machine) I have settled on this for all sizes of quilts:

1) The backing needs to be secured either with spray or with fusible fleece (I love the fusible)

2) pin the front in wide set rows as far apart as the fabric will allow, perhaps 10" apart, allowing for the directions you want to stitch (see below);

3) starting in the middle and with a slow speed, machine baste with long stitches (about 3" long) and work to the corners first; this allows you to insure that your fabric is still smooth. Sometimes I find myself even stopping, straightening the fabric (or the way it last stitched) and going on from there. It's best to have an idea of your final plan so you don't baste where you want to put your final quilting stitches, but the basting is easy to pull out if you do overlap.

4) when both sides have been checked, choose the stitch you want and quilt where you want.

This almost takes as long to do as to put the procedure down here!

Hope this is helpful.

i always spray baste everything i quilt and only use 505 spray

Agreed !! - and it washs out easily

I pin baste and just remove the safety pins as I go.
Sharon W.

I wish you lots of luck and looking forward to hearing how it turns out.

I haven't tried spray basting, but I always pin baste for FMQing. I try to pin around my marked motif so I don't have to move pins to quilt. I do remove them before I get to them if the space is just too tight. I have heard good things about spray basting, but with the expense and the mess, I don't think it is for me.

That is so interesting. How do you get 3" stitches on your domestic machine??