Question about Sharon Schamber's method for basting a quilt
 

Having read about Sharon Schamber's videos and method for basting a quilt sandwich, I tuned to YouTube and watched both parts.

Like many instructional videos, the demonstration was done on fairly small pieces, which generally is MUCH MUCH easier than large quilts.

So if you're doing a large quilt (100" or more) you'd need 9 or 10' boards...BUT ALSO wouldn't you need a 9 or 10' table? Or are you back to doing it on the floor?

Thanks for your input.

I would think you would need a table at least almost as long as the quilt. This is exactly why I have a jumbo queen quilt laying here not quilted. I can't get it smooth! I've also been debating using the boards, but can't quite envision it on this huge quilt either.

I'll be watching this thread in hopes an expert sheds some light on this.

I tried and couldn't make it work but I also didn't have a 10' table... Decided I'd use it for smaller quilts but then I discovered spray basting...

I have one of the craft tables that the sides fold down. I have basted more than 1 king quilt on this table and numerous queens down to baby quilts. Here's my process. Lay backing wrong side up with about equal amounts of fabric on the long sides and equal amounts on the short sides. Secure with binder/bulldog clips. I have 1 large box of these. I use 3-4 on the long sides of the table and 2-3 on the short sides. Place batting on table, again with equal amounts hanging over. Starting in the middle of the long side, remove clamp from backing and clamp the 2 layers together. Do the same thing with the remaining clamps on that side. Move to the other long side and repeat process. Do the same for the 2 short ends of the table. Lay quilt top over everything centering over other 2 layers and repeat the unclamping/reclamping. There are times that I've had to reposition to make sure there is enough batting/backing on all sides of the quilt. Once the center section is clamped into place, pin or thread baste as you normally would. Now with everything basted, shift the whole sandwich to one side or the other. Make sure you have a basted section to work from when starting to reclamp the first edge. Go about smoothing and clamping as before. It's alot of going round and round the table for a large quilt but, IMO, sure beats doing it on the floor! No need for boards at all.

I have two of the 5 foot fold in half tables from Wal-Mart and a set of 10 foot boards. They're long enough to do all the quilts I make.

I just used Sharon's method for the first time on a 72" wide quilt (i think). My cutting table has fold up sides to 72". The process worked great. I haven't started hand quilting the project yet but there aren't any fold on the backing. I did thread baste the quilt.

I would say you need a table top the width or length of your quilt to use this method. If I have a larger quilt to baste, I would use two banquet tables side by side. In my case, I would spend the afternoon at our church and use their tables. Maybe even bribe a friend or two to help me. :)

That being said, I did like her method and will be using it again.

[I] went to wal mart and bought 2 folding tables I loved the basting with board methed

I do more what NJQuilter does. My table is about 60 in wide and i do have stuff hanging over the edge, and the weight off the back keeps things taught as i hand baste it. I will get puckers if my basting is too far apart or if i use safety pins. If i have plenty of batting and backing, I don't care. If I have no play room w/ the batting or backing, I baste it real well so nothing moves.

If i have to baste a king-size quilt, i go to a friend's house who has an 8 foot wide table and i can walk around all 4 sides easily. I can only walk around 3 sides of mine easily.

I use the same method as NJ Quilter. It works but it does take some time and patience but it's worth it!

check out " thread basting my quilt sandwich for FMQ " by azwendyg here on the board