I've been working today on my Garden Tiles quilt and decided to use a package of June Tailor Fusible Batting because I had it on hand. I've been sewing for grandbabies for the last couple of years and haven't made a large quilt in quite a while. I sandwiched my pieces together on my cutting table and used the iron to fuse it together. I really took a chance of ruining my cutting mat (it looks ok) and I shouldn't have done it.

My question to the more experienced quilters is this...when you use fusible batting do you just pin it and press it on the ironing board or the floor?

I thought about buying several yards of the fabric used on ironing boards (mind went blank on the name of it) and making me something that can fit over my cutting table with elastic to just slip on and off.

My husband bought me the neatest clamps at Harbor Freight that helps tremendously in keeping the layers from slipping so I'm trying to come up with a safe and fast method for completing this process. Normally I use regular batting and use the quilter's pins every couple or so inches.

Any helpful advice would be so appreciated!

I don't like to use the fusible for large quilts. I can't seem to get it press without pressing in wrinkles on the other side. I do like for small projects. I'll be interested to see what the rest of our groups says about the fusible.

I normally don't use it either...sometimes for handbags, etc. This quilt is going to be used more as a throw so I thought it might be ok to use the fusible.

I really should try to take a picture of the clamps that my husband got me because they are the best thing since sliced bread in my opinion. You center your backing, clamp it down on the lip of your cutting table...center your batting, reclamp it down...center your top, reclamp it down. It keeps everything from shifting. Then I used my iron on the center area, unclamped it and moved it over and finished pressing each side.

I then turned the quilt over and pressed the back and only had to make a couple of really small adjustments.

I would love to see a picture of the clamps :D :D :D

Amma, here is a picture of one of the clamps. He bought me 8 of them. Two for each of the ends of my cutting table and two for each side of my cutting table. It really keeps the layers secure. Like I said, you center your backing first and clamp it, center the next layer, unclamp and reclamp and so on. I just love them!

The best part is...they are only ONE DOLLAR each! LOL! Harbor Freight Tools is my husband's equivalent to a Quilt Shop!

I just found a set on Harbor Freight's store site that look the same and come in a set of 10 for $5.87. I'm goind to go and check them out. Thanks for the good tip!
Audrey

I have two sets of each size of those clamps, they were really inexpensive at Harbor Freight. Can't remember how long ago Roy got them for me but I have used them on my dining table with no damage to it or to the quilts. The little ones are better for the small projects, but even they are wonderfully strong and they don't hurt the arthritic hands to use.

Hugs,
Sharon

HARBOR FREIGHT,..... YOU MENTIONED HARBOR FREIGHT!!!!

I TOLD MY HUSBAND ABOUT YOUR COMMENT....AND NOW I AM GETTING CLAMPS TOO....BUT THIS IS JUST AN EXCUSE FOR HIM TO ORDER MORE GUY STUFF FROM HARBOR FREIGHT.

i do not even know what to do with those clamps yet!!!!
I NEED MORE FABRIC AND A SEWING ROOM!!!!!
But those clamps do look neat and will do a good job securing your quilt.






My husband bought me the neatest clamps at Harbor Freight that helps tremendously in keeping the layers from slipping so I'm trying to come up with a safe and fast method for completing this process. Normally I use regular batting and use the quilter's pins every couple or so inches.

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LOL! my husband loves that store too! I always have to get him a gift certificate there each year at Christmas! He uses it just for the sales throughout the year...too funny!

Interesting use of the clamps. We have an entire box full of those things in the garage. They come in every size you can imagine. Little bitty that we have been known to use on chip bags to huge that can be used for clamping bookcases and other wood working projects. Never would've thought of quilts.

Be very careful showing the hubbies Harbor Freight. It seems to effect some of them like quilt shops effect the ladies.