Why can't anyone come up with a better way to baste?

I bought the fusible batting this week and tried it, it was awful! :twisted: Just when everything was smooth and ironed and stuck together, I started quilting in the center and the whole thing came apart! Yikes! :evil:

I use basting spray (505) but it is difficult to control the spray.

I pin baste small projects, we know the chore to take the pins out.

I haven't sew-basted because I think all those long stitches would drive me bonkers!

I think someone needs to invent a paint on glue substance to baste with - something that washes out but will hold the layers together...

I've asked my local longarmers about basting a quilt for me and they just laugh! It seems this is just Not Done in this neck of the woods :shock:

Any more ideas????

thats a shame that your longarmers dont baste,My sister just gave her king size quilt to a lady her that is an award winning longarmer and she took it no problem,my sister is going to hand quilt this one.Have you asked the members on the board here who are longarmers if they baste? I hate basting too,just did a small lap quilt not fun

I find hand basting relaxing. I put on good music or a movie and baste away. I do it right there at my breakfast bar where there is lots of light. I work on one section at a time and before I know it, half the quilt it done. Then I do the other half in another session. It is a pain to remove the basting, but it's worth it. I just hate the safety pins and the plastic basting gun. When it's time to baste, I grumble and complain, but once I get started, it's relaxing.

Good morning. Looks like we are in for some rain today. Might be a good day for couch sitting and browsing the quiltingboard? You think?
I really don't mind basting. I use pins (the curved safety pins). It is a lot of work but it gives me what I need to get the sandwich on the cutting board. Then I put just one edge on the cutting board and let the rest fall to the floor or bed. I then use straight pins on the section I am ready to stitch. Stitch it, check for wrinkles, and move it back to the cutting board to pin another section. It does take awhile but I really don't mind the process.
Do you hand quilt or machine quilt?

I do both, depending on the quilt and my mood :roll:

Has anyone tried the washaway basting thread. I like the option of not doing the whole quilt at once, that would improve things.

I use the spray (505) and some curved pins. I do it on the kitchen table which I cover with broken down cardboard boxes taped together. I can't stand to do it on the floor (kills my back)..so first I lay down the back..square it to my marks...then I tightly clip that sucker to the table with those big notebook clips from the Dollar Store. Then I lay the batting on top..square...then I peel back a section and spray it lightly and smooth it back down..I work my way around the table doing this...then I do the top the exact same way. I then flip it over and smooth any wrinkles that appeared, then flip it back and pin any "critical" parts. It goes pretty fast and holds together extremely well. Of course, I do grumble the entire time.......

I use the washaway thread when I'm doing trapunto and it does wash away really well when you soak it in water...lightly swishing it around...I don't know how it would work for basting. I think it might be pretty expensive, but might be worth it?? :roll:

I use safety pin covers and a Kwik Klip when I pin bast (no more sore fingers). I use the Kwik Klip to close the pins and to open them when I remove them. It's one of the best quilting investments I've ever made. The clips are tedious to put on, but once they are on you never take them off. I also always store my safety pins open. When you are ready to pin just shake a clump of pins over the area you are working on and they fall right apart. The first site below shows how they work, but the second site has better prices. If you pin baste, you'll wonder how you ever got along without these tools. :D :D :D

http://www.patchworks.com/fingertips.htm

http://www.quiltinaday.com/shoponlin...lay.asp?i=1621

Did you try the Micro Stitch basting tool? I prefer basting with thread but many quilters here use this too.

Maybe you should try the spray again. I've used it with good luck on smaller quilts, but not on a full sized one yet. Many on this board and at my local quilt shop swear by the 505,

Try using some old sheets under the quilt for any overspray and then just throw them in the washer

Hey Minda...I use a grapefruit spoon or crochet hook to open and close my pins...it seems to work. These tools really DO help!

Great tip! I've had the Kwik Klip for years and love it because it does help with the pins but my fingers still get sore. I didn't know about the grip covers. I just ordered two packs. Putting them on sounds like good watching TV work. Can't wait to get them.

I hand baste and the threads are not a problem. The stitches are really, really large and I use a really long basting needle. Try it.

I have hand basted quilts.. but used a frame and right now there is no where in my house large enough to set them up. Have thought about using them outside.. I have recently tried the 505 and simply love it.. I use old rolls of wrapping paper for covering table, etc. good recycling.

One of my issues is I have no table to lay the quilt on to spray baste. A friend on the board has offered to bring her 6 foot table here for "basting day".

I've worn out 3 microstitch basters in 2 years, that's too expensive!

Where do you get a "basting needle"? What do you ask for?

OOORRRR>>>>>>you could bring your quilt over here and we'll baste it in my kitchen on the table... :wink:

Patti,
Marvin says you have to invite him, too. And let him pet the horses. and maybe ride?

He's working days now Fri, Sat and Sun...
sooooooooooooo

when?? :D :D

I put my quilt on a no basting quilt frame, and use water soluble thread to baste it. I then machine quilt it.

That's a really good idea cuz I have one of those already!
Thanks for the idea!

I hope you love them as much as I do!

I used a grapefruit spoon before I got my Kwik Klip, but I like the Kwik Klip better.

Basting spray was my choice. Worked best for me. Now I put it on my frame. It takes a long time to set up but sure is easier after that.

I simply put it on my cutting table and baste. Smaller ones I use spray and pins, I also have the Kwik Klip but for smaller ones I don't use it. I hand basted the one I am handquilting now.
Now I do have spray over on my table before I learned it doesn't come off. My table just looks dirty right now.
Been so busy with dogs that I haven't sewn in at least going on 3 weeks now. Starting to have withdrawals. lol

I have found that spray basting doesn't take the place of pin basting - it just makes the layers stay together better.

HI, what we do is go to my church, spread three of those long tables together, spread out backing, tape it down with masking tape, spread batting on top, spread top (smoothing between each layer), and pin w/safety pins. This quilt can be hand quilted or machine quilted with no way it can move. It takes from 30-45 min. and since we are usually talking, it goes fast. If both or three of us all bring a quilt top to baste, we can do it in a little over an hour. It sure beats doing it by yourself and at home w/so little space.

I have limited experience, but after spray basting I hand baste all around the outside edges with a contrasting thread. This keeps the layers from separating while I'm quilting, and is easily removed when the quilt is finished.

Shame on anyone that laughed at you, that doesn't sound like all of us gentle quilters. Anyway, I love hand basting as well. I get to sit down and relax and fondle the fabric LOL! I also find any mistakes or loose threads while I do it. Thanks for the warning on the fusible batting. Best Wishes!!!

That's what we do for the ladies that don't have frames. Our quilting group shares this work...one quilt at a time, 3 ladies pinning, we get it done in about 15 min per quilt..or less depending on size. Works great!!!

gee, I am a longarmer and I baste for handquilters. It helps pay the bills. haha

Basting is my least favorite job - but... done wrong REALLY effects your results (learned by experience on that one) :)

If I had the funds I would sent it out to a long arm quilter to do the basting for me.

Since that isn't an option, the only choice is a change in my attitude :) I'm currently trying the Sharon Shambler's (sp?) approach. Looks like the most space efficient approach I have come across. Just like Gail said - pop on the music and get into the flow.

My only problem wiyh pin basting is clearing the table. Sooooo I just take it to the senior center not only do I get a clean table but friends to help. Good times :-D

Maybe I should leanr to type or spell I'm not sure which :oops:

I'm really liking this idea of a "basting party". I think I might have enough friends to do this.

Ditto to the some of the above; no Kwik Klip or covers; I use a tool from an old manicure set to help open & close the pins ... it works o.k. Also, I wrap the 3 quilt layers around the edge of my plywood table and clip (large spring clips from the an office supply) all around the quilt section, making sure the layers are all smooth and taut before I pin. When one section is done, I un-clip, move to another section and repeat. My tabletop is about 38" from the floor, which is the perfect height for no back pain/strain for me. I have hand basted in the past, but I'm a little sloppy with it so do much better with the little curved safety pins. I have a bazillion of them, my theory being that you can never have too many.

I use safety pins. Table not large enough so I use the floor. I use handle of teaspoon to close pins. So far so good.

I would baste them on my longarm if you would like. I do it a lot for people and the stitches are easy to take out. PM me...

How long do you make the basting stitches? I've never hand basted a quilt, always used pins.

If you pin baste, you'll wonder how you ever got along without these tools.

http://www.patchworks.com/fingertips.htm

http://www.quiltinaday.com/shoponlin...lay.asp?i=1621
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What lovely ideas I'm getting from this site!!

I've never heard of these before, just shows how much there is that I
still have to learn, even though I'm 76 and in my second childhood!
And boy, am I having fun!!

I have a Gracie z44 frame that I purchased not for hand quilting but just to place my quilts on the frame spray baste them together then quilt them with my regular sewing machine. Which I will no longer need to do because I have a new little Gracie II with a bailey. But I have done the spraying process on the z44 for about two years.

my hubby got me a plastic drop cloth for $3.00 at bi mart. I live in a tiny duplex now, so there is no room. so I pull out my cutting table. spread the drop cloth over everything it will cover, and then I spray. It works real good that way. I hope this helps. God bless. Penny

I love the basting sprays. I've tried them all. An inexpensive drop cloth is a fabulous idea. That stuff is hard to clean up.

A gal in my guild told me to use Elmer's washable school glue. She doesn't dilute it or anything. She just squirts small amounts on both sides of the batting. Anyone tried this method? She says it washes completely out.