Basting- pins vs spray or? What do you do?
#31
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 4,679

Pins hurt my hands and I can only use spray for a limited amount of time because I get a massive headache (though I do use it sometimes). I like glue sticks for small things and Elmers for the larger ones. I do dilute the Elmers a bit because O don't like it straight out of the bottle.
#32

I safety-pin baste mine every 3 -4 inches, then load the machine with water-soluble thread. Baste the sandwich with that, then take out the pins. I can then FMQ without worrying about hitting a pin. Just remember to switch to regular thread!
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: The Woodlands, Texas
Posts: 619

I used to use safety pins but decided that makes the quilt too heavy when I’m trying to quilt. I am allergic to a lot of chemicals so I had to reject that plan. I worry washing won’t fully wash out the Elmer’s, so now I baste “by check”. I take front, back and batting to a long armer. It’s a great solution for me.
#35

Spray all the way . I've never had a problem even with a queen sized that I spray basted over a year ago and it gets pulled out,worked on and put away again quite regularly so lots of handling and it still sticks together
Watson
Watson
#38
Power Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Citrus County, Florida
Posts: 10,849
#39

I used to use thread basting, but it would take me hours to removed it and it always seemed to get caught in my quilting stitches. My last quilt I made I used pins. It was fast and easy. I use a butter knife to help close them so I didn't hurt my fingers.
Yes, over 300 pins sounds right! I have 600 on hand so I won't run out. Better too basted than ripping out quilting because of pluckering!
Yes, over 300 pins sounds right! I have 600 on hand so I won't run out. Better too basted than ripping out quilting because of pluckering!
#40
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 8,911

505 basting spray all the way for me. I doubt I would be a quilter if I had to pin or hand baste. I am not overly sensitive and don't find it smelly, nor do I have a problem with overspray. I also bought out the Mettler spray when Hancocks went out of business - like that one too.
I'm needing to make a practice piece to practice spiral FMQing and I"m thinking about using Elmer's for it just to get a feel for using it. If I like it, I may use it to baste a quilt I'm getting ready to sandwich.
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