Just a thought- for years I have been machine basting with my longarm for a lady who does nothing but hand quilting and lives in a tiny apartment. Why not talk to a local longarmer about her basting rates. Fast, easy, not your problem or time, no pins to rust if you are as slow a quilter as I am. And before some of you comment that that nickle basting pins don't rust, let me just say you are a faster hand quilter than I am then.