When I married and moved to my present town, a dear member of our Extension Homemakers' Club took me to her house and showed me how to hand quilt without basting. I'm not a fine stitcher but it works and her quilting was great: Baste the backing to each bar and roll backing onto one side. Pin fabric strips to sides of the backing and stretch to the sides of the frame tautly. Lay on the batt and then the top with edges next to the second bar, baste or pin the edge. The batt and top should lay smoothly on the backing and the excess can be loosely rolled or folded, pinned, and allowed to hang over the far side. Pin the working area and quilt. As areas are finished, release the side strips and roll up the finished quilt section. Pin and secure the sides, again. Continue to the other end. Thank you, Aunt Dolley
Last edited by Greenheron; 08-12-2012 at 06:51 PM.