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

The link and pictures were helpful. Definitely the Sharon Schamber method...and she definitely needed a couple of tables to make it work.

I don't even have a room big enough for that, let alone the tables (which could be purchased more easily than the room LOL).

Thanks for your post.

The tables that fold in the middle are easy to store and move. They are inexpensive too for the value. I like the ones at Lowes. They are a better quality table if you use plan on using them a lot and won't vibrate if used for a sewing table.

I'm bringing up this older thread to see if anyone can help me decide on the size of my boards to baste with. My DS found some boards for me to use and needs to know what length to cut them to. I would love to have two sets: one for baby size quilts and one for up to a twin size. Thanks for your help with this!

I have 2 6foot boards. If they're 6 foot don't cut them. They are not hard to maneuver/flip.

My boards are 8 ft. You have to be careful when moving them, but I haven't knocked out a wall yet.

Thanks so much! DS will be cutting them for me now.

A couple of thoughts...if you don't have a table, could you use a conference table at your place of work (if you work), your local library or a church. And I saw another suggestion...instead of boards, use pool noodles. I don't know if they would be long enough. I have done this basting on a queen-sized quilt but I have a large, expandable dining room table. But I too, discovered spray basting and use that for free-motion on my Juki. I have also acquired a quilt frame for a Pfaff Hobby and don't need to baste at all with that.

Another option is a little off the wall but so very useful- go to a park with a covered picnic shelter. Push 2 tables together & have at it! I just bought two 12 foot 1x4" pine boards to do an over-sized queen & the park is my choice. Nice tables, good scenery & outdoors. My kind of day. The boards were sanded & dusted & store nicely in the garage. I have a mini van so transporting the boards is no problem. Also using the Schamber method, you can use rag ties to hold the rolled top, batting & backing together if for some reason you don't get it all basted. Once layered this way- things are really portable.
Good luck
sewverybusy1

I LOVE the Sharon Schamber method... It does take a bit of maneuvering with a large quilt..but it is WORTH IT!! I can't sit/crawl on the floor anymore and her method makes it possible. I have space for an 8' plastic table with folding legs, and I bought 8' boards. DH recently bought a 6' table and 6' boards for the smaller quilts. But if you don't have room, the conference table at the library or church or even a business would work. In a few hours, you'll have a basted quilt...bring a friend and the work goes more quickly! Good luck!

I use this method on twin and below, with left over sanded board when we put down hardwood floors. I once used it on a double bed size, a grandmothers flower garden, and had to open the dining room table all the way open. I finished the GFG though, and it looks nice. i cut the boards 12 inches longer than the width of the quilt.

Not familiar with this, but picked up on your statement about the videos being done on small pieces. I find that so true and it is not all that easy to translate successfully to a large queen or king size quilt.

I know this sounds weird but I sandwich my quilts on my double size bed. I sue spray basting and section the quilt in fours. Works really well as floor has not worked for me in a long time. Make sure to lay down a old sheet on bed first. I use straight pins to secure layers, like a pin cushion.

Are those lightweight camping tables steady enough for quilting and high enough to use without killing your back? I've wondered about using them, but wasn't sure.

Ive done this too. My house has small rooms and there's no floor space big enough to sandwich a large quilt. I slide a large cutting board underneath when I'm pinning.