PaperPrincess

Now that the holidays are over, I'm doing some Christmas sewing for me, including a tree skirt. It's in the shape of an 8 point star and I'd like to quilt it on my long arm. Any tips? My original idea was leave the backing & batting square, pin baste the top then load it. I would like to avoid the basting step, but I'm not sure how else to get it on the frame with some sort of tension on the top.
I did a small scalloped quilt once, but left the edge straight until after quilting. This design really doesn't lend itself to cutting the points after quilting, but I suppose I could sew some muslin fillers. Any tips?

greensleeves

I use washable glue sticks to temporarily hold the uneven edges of tops that I put on the LA. I use the purple Elmer's school glue sticks and have not had any problems with them.

dunster

I think I would leave the back and batting square, load as usual and then float the top. Usually on larger quilts I do attach the bottom of the top to the roller, because I think it helps me to have that bit of tension, but for something the size of a tree skirt it works fine without attaching the bottom. Many longarm quilters float all their quilt tops.

mighty

I have never quilted an irregular shape like this before, but elmers sound like a really good idea.

QuiltnNan

i like the idea of the elmer's, too

krafty14

I have done the spicy spiral and the spinning star. I load the backing and batting then lay the irregular shape on it. I baste around as far as I can with the midarm I have, then pin the bottom in place for tension. When I move it down, I just baste again as far as I can. Seems to work. Might consider the Elmers, but I think I would still baste. Ann

Gramie bj

I would use water soluble thread to baste. Quilt right over it, after binding it will all come out in the wash. I have never tried the Elmer's stick, sounds like a lot of quilter's like it.

Tartan

I wonder if 505 sprayed on the mounted back and batting would work? I would still use pins on the pointed star ends.

Prism99

You could also spray baste the top to the batting as you go. Load as you described, sew the top to the batting as usual, then lift up the top and spray baste the area you are going to quilt. Crafty Gemini demonstrates how she uses basting spray in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw3LqEi4_z0 but I think you have to skip to 7 minutes in or so before she gets to that part.

cathyvv

I think your idea is best. Go for it!