Prism99

leloy, I walk my hand in front of the foot, and that helps. (I actually spread my hand out around the foot to keep the top as smooth as possible around the foot.) I also go very slowly, one stitch at a time. Usually I have sewn the top with extra borders all around so I do not need to baste so close to the edge of the top.

An easy solution is to invest in some water-soluble thread from Superior and use that an inch down from the edge. You don't even have to use a basting stitch. If needed, you can add a line afterwards a quarter of an inch down.

Edit: I should add my setup is not a Bailey.

Macybaby

I basted the top of the first few quilts I did, then quit and just pin and remove the pins as I need to. I pin about every 12" or so.

I'd also suggest seeing if you can get a "glide" foot for the bailey. The are bowl shaped so that really helps to keep the quilt top from flipping around on you.

Jennifer23

Leloy, it just takes practice. I've longarmed almost a dozen quilts now, and I'm only now getting good at basting the top. If my quilt has a border, I now make it an extra inch wide so that I can baste in a little ways and trim it off.

maryb119

I have a Nolting long arm. The only time I baste a quilt is when someone wants to hand quilt it. I find it much easier to baste it on the long arm than trying to baste it by hand.

leloy

Thank you - I have dissolving thread. I never thought to try that.

leloy

Ladies thank you all for the suggestions. I am determined to get better at this! My machine will not win (at least not every round)