Anybody have tips for basting quilts in small spaces?
 

One of my worst problems with finishing quilts is that I don't have enough floor space anywhere in my house to spread out even a lap-sized quilt. Out of sheer desperation I realized I DID, however, have enough clear WALL space for up to a twin size blanket. So I use painter's tape to tape everything to the wall and pin it that way. It sort of works but I still have some bagginess towards the bottom no matter what I do.

I've tried using our king-size bed but can't figure out a way to strap things down tight enough, plus if I can't get my hand under there I don't know how I'd avoid pinning the quilt to the bed!

I have a king size top made that I really want to quilt, but I'd have to do it on my wall in sections and I'm not sure how well that would work, if it would work at all!

Any advice, tips, techniques are welcome!

Oh crumbs. I meant for this to be in the main section! Sorry - newbie move!

I've found it's easier to pin together, on carpet. If you don't have floor space, see if you can find a piece of carpet (the short, shaggy type - or several large rugs?) and lay it over your bed. The carpet helps keep the quilt from slipping . . . and pins will go through and back out, as long as you don't press too hard.

OOh, that sounds like a great idea! I betcha I can find a remnant somewhere... Thanks Neesie!

Check out Susan Schaumber you tube tutorial on basting quilts - I find this process works very well and all you need
is tabletop, can baste sitting down and goes quite quickly. Good luck!

Thanks thriftyavalon - I'll check it out!

I have a 6 foot folding table that I use because I have rheumatoid arthritis and can't crawl around on the floor anymore. I use binder clips to attach to the table. I also baste in thirds, starting in the center. When that part is done, I move one of the unbasted ends onto the table, baste that, then do the same with the last third. Works well for me.

I use my dining room table but any table - such as a folding table mentioned above - would work.

I bought a sheet of 4x8 plywood maybe 3/8" thick and had them cut it in half at Home Depot so I had two 4x4 pieces. I sanded the rough edges and then covered the pieces on all sides and edges with contact paper, overlapping it to get a good seal. When I need them, I bring them up from the basement and lay them on the table so there is an overhang on all sides of the table.

Then I put the backing down, clipping it to the plywood using extra large binder clips that I bought at Walmart or Staples (cheaper at Walmart) so that it's taut. Layer the batting and top. Then I pin. If too large for the 4x8, I pin the first portion, then unclip and reset the backing, clamp down and pin what's left.

The length of most quilts will fit in the 96" - it's the width that needs to be adjusted.

I can't do it on the floor - too old. :)

It's actually Sharon Schamber. Her method works for any size quilt. I have a pair of 6 foot boards and a pair of 10 foot boards. I found that doll making needles and size 20 crochet thread work really well for her basting method.

You might also be able to pay a local longarmer to do it for you...it's about 25-45 dollars depending on quilt size usually. Might be worth it for people who don't have the space or just don't want to struggle with it....

wow.. I have such little space and never attempt the large quilts. but do use the quilt safty pins and often reset them as I quilt.

painters tape.. I LOVE that !!

good luck

Rug
 

I took Neese's advice and bought an area rug from Home Depot. I just spread it over my bed and it works great for pin basting. I don't have a lot of room, and also am up there in age. It's hard for me to get down on the floor, so this works great for me. Thanks Neese😀

I use the big tables at our church. (I'm also employed there.) You could contact the church office and ask if they have a meeting room or fellowship hall that you could use for an hour or so during their regular hours.
Speaking as a church secretary - we'd be just fine with that! =)
I've never been comfortable basting on a floor/carpet. I've been using the table at our church even before I worked there. =)

Good Luck!
Donna Mc

I've been usng this technique for a couple years now https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...ature=youtu.be It's easy and works for all size quilts.

Check out this wonderful quilter's video on how she quilts on her boat. She has the first video on Oct. 18, 2020 & the second one on Oct. 21, 2020. (scroll down a bit on the blog). I think she had another one or two but can't find them right now. Some of what she does may help you & if not, it's sure interesting viewing.

http://myquiltodyssey.blogspot.com/s...&max-results=7

In my old home that I have not been gone from for more than 20 years, I use to use my kitchen table. the house was small and I could put a leaf in the table to make it a bit bigger and would pin that way. It was a challenge but I was able to be successful every time. Just a thought.

I use pool noodles from the dollar store to baste mine. You can use pins, glue, spray adhesive, whichever you prefer. I have used this method for quilts as small as a wall hanging, up to a queen size quilt. You just need to adjust the size of your noodles. I connect the noodles with sections of PVC pipe and duct tape to get longer noodles, then just take apart for storage. I generally use a fold up 6 ft table and can work sitting down in my rolling chair.
I also have a wide board on my ironing board and am able to baste throw size quilts on my ironing board.
There is a good bit of info online about this method, just do a search "pool noodle basting".
Here is a video that explains how to do this method.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpmWfZdxGSI

I fold out one of those cardboard lined boards that you get from JoAnnes that is used for cutting patterns. I stick pins into the back along the edges to stabilize the backing and then it is really easy to pin a quilt without ruining your table I have basted several queen sized quilts that way. You also don't have to bend over very far or scoot along the floor.

I have a 6 foot "cafeteria" table that I would store in garage until I needed to sandwich a quilt. Use, then fold up the legs and store again. Thankfully, I am currently working on converting the garage into a workroom! Right now it has no A/C, and gets too warm to work for very long here in south Texas.

I like that video about the pool noodles that Murphy posted. I've heard of that method but never taken time to study how it's done. I think I'll try that for my next quilt as I can't get down on the floor anymore for basting my tops. Thanks!!!

I can second, third and fourth that table basting method (using baseboards you roll the quilt top and back onto) by Sharon Schamber. I can't crawl around on the floor or baste with safety pins thanks to arthritis, and her method is fantastic: you sit down at a table and can leave the project safely if you get called away.

I do not understand why this method is not more widely used!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMP4iSeYAy4

I use a double bed for lap-sized quilts. I iron the back and use spray starch or sizing to insure that it isn't wrinkly in any way, Then I pin the back to the bed covering (quilt or bedspread) only at the top edge and smooth out the rest of the back before adding backing and top. I slide an old cutting mat underneath, starting at the center and pin baste there. I do move the mat around underneath until I have the whole thing pinned. For bigger quilts, I usually use large tables at our historical society or public library.