Basting Guns ... what do you think?
 

After quilting my first quilt I had a lot of problems with tucks in the back, which I learned was due to me not taping down the backing when making the quilt sandwich. So this time I taped it down pretty tightly to my dining room table and basted it with safety pins, and I'm still getting tucks in the back. Dang.

I think maybe I'm just not using enough safety pins, which is because I haaaate basting. So I thought maybe I'd look into basting guns but the one they have on JoAnn has really mixed reviews; most of the poor reviews have to do with its quality. At 50 bucks it's kind of a lot of money to spend on something that will break before the end of one quilt.

So has anyone out there used a basting gun and had good results, and if so what brand do you use?

OR maybe someone has a better idea ... I've never tried spray basting, maybe that would solve my problem? Do you need to combine spray basting with pinning?

Thanks!!

I used to use a basting gun. There are different qualities. If you go this route, be sure to get one with a fine needle and small plastic thingies. I can check mine and post the brand if you need it (I think it's Avery fine needle).

It is much easier to spray baste than to use a basting gun, though, plus I get better results with spray basting. I would encourage you to focus on spray basting. If you don't have access to a large table, it's pretty easy and inexpensive to purchase a couple of plastic sawhorses and a piece of plywood at a big box hardware store. This can be set up in the driveway and easily taken down and stored in a garage when not in use. I would also recommend buying 4 of the largest, best clamps at the hardware store (I paid about $5 each for 3-inch plastic clamps with an easy on-off trigger) to use with this setup. I also recommend paying a few bucks so you can use 505 instead of other brands of spray basters. 505 has never let me down. On a very large quilt I may place safety pins around the border to ensure the layers don't separate there; otherwise I don't bother.

Another thing you can do to prevent tucks, no matter what basting method you use, is to heavily starch the backing fabric before layering. I use a 1:1 solution of Sta-Flo liquid laundry starch and water, "paint" this onto the yardage using a large wall painting brush until fabric is saturated, toss in dryer, then iron with steam. I also spray starch the top before layering. Starch stabilizes the fabrics so they are much less likely to stretch and distort while machine quilting.

My late DM had one and she threw it in the trash.

That's where mine ended up but because it fell apart. I found it difficult to use and didn't replace it. This was before I discovered spray basting. Boy has that simplified my life as far as quilting goes. Quicker and easier than safety pins and I don't get any tucks in the backing. Just finished quilting three tops and it went so smoothly with the spary basting. Nice and smooth, no tucks. Can't say that about the one that I used the basting gun.

I have one.. I use it for taging garage sale price tags now..

OK I am officially unsold. I'm buying some 505 at the craft store tomorrow!

I had one...used it quite a bit for awhile. It jambed up all the time and left holes in the cotton. I just pin now...a lot of pins.

I have one, but use it for other reasons, never quilting.

Spray Basting is the way to go ... and remember, you'll still need to tape down that backing down!

The first one I bought fell apart. The second one, an Avery brand with a fine needle and tags is a GEM! I've used it for many quilts and haven't even had to change the needle yet.

I don't punch straight down and fire, though. I go into the top at an almost-level oblique angle, pick up the backing fabric and come back up and then fire, so that both ends of the tag are on the top of the quilt. I use a Kwik Klip tool to brace the needle tip and push the fabric as far onto the needle as it will go.

It's my favorite method of basting. I will never use spray basting again. If there is any poly in your batting or fabric, the propellants can react with the poly and will remain sticky enough to gum up your needle. Gummed needles = skipped stitches. I had one vintage scrappy that I ended up throwing away because I could NOT stitch more than an inch before I needed to clean the needle. I have used 505, June Tailor, Sullivans and EmbTech sprays and since I didn't keep track of which ones have caused trouble, but ALL of them say not to use them on polyester, so they have probably all got the same problem. Lots of people use them and love them, but they've been frustrating enough for me that I'm willing to use ANY other method to baste than sprays. :D


When I run low on the fine tags for the Avery gun, I will buy the MicroStitch brand - people who have tried both apparently find the MicroStitch even nicer to work with.

Yes, if you starch backing, iron wrinkles out, tape it down & LIGHTLY spray baste each layer with 505, and press each layer gently with your hands to be sure it lays flat, I think you'll be happy with the result. I too, have the gun & it makes holes in the fabric, so I don't use it for quilting. Good luck.

My experience exactly!

I have the QuiltTak gun [<cite> www.quiltak.com </cite>] that I use to put my end of the quilt top on my HQ leader. I can get closer with the machine than with needles or with red snappers. [Definitely do NOT get the Dritz brand!]

The QuiltTak doesn't leave a big hole and has different sizes of tacks available.

I wouldn't use it for basting a quilt as there might be more give than I want.

For smaller project I either machine baste ... or if they are really small hand baste my projects. I have used spray basting but with the HQ don't use it anymore.

ali

The first one I bought fell apart. The second one, an Avery brand with a fine needle and tags is a GEM! I've used it for many quilts and haven't even had to change the needle yet.

I don't punch straight down and fire, though. I go into the top at an almost-level oblique angle, pick up the backing fabric and come back up and then fire, so that both ends of the tag are on the top of the quilt. I use a Kwik Klip tool to brace the needle tip and push the fabric as far onto the needle as it will go.

It's my favorite method of basting. I will never use spray basting again. If there is any poly in your batting or fabric, the propellants can react with the poly and will remain sticky enough to gum up your needle. Gummed needles = skipped stitches. I had one vintage scrappy that I ended up throwing away because I could NOT stitch more than an inch before I needed to clean the needle. I have used 505, June Tailor, Sullivans and EmbTech sprays and since I didn't keep track of which ones have caused trouble, but ALL of them say not to use them on polyester, so they have probably all got the same problem. Lots of people use them and love them, but they've been frustrating enough for me that I'm willing to use ANY other method to baste than sprays. :D


When I run low on the fine tags for the Avery gun, I will buy the MicroStitch brand - people who have tried both apparently find the MicroStitch even nicer to work with.

I found the Micro-Stitch, replacement needle and packages of black and white tags at Overstock.com:
http://www.overstock.com/search?keyw...rchType=Header I went ahead and ordered them to try on my next quilt.

But, really, the Avery with fine needle works very well and you would be happy with it - just be sure to use to use the Kwik Klip or a similar tool to help you load the needle.

Saves your fingers and it goes unbelievably fast! :)

my mom bought me one ages ago for a gift. I tried it and really wanted to like it. But, I didn't. In fact, I hated it. You can't easily pull them out so if you don't plan perfectly where you will quilt, you have to stop, cut, and resume. Yuck, at least IMHO

I found the tag cutter that makes removing the tacks instant - the ONLY place I could find them was on eBay, though. Good seller, so I didn't mind at all: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Collins-Tack...-/310303294318

It looks like she has an online store, now: http://www.shorelinehandwerks.com/se...-B-Gone/Detail

I got mine about 15 years ago and it was junk. Put holes in the fabric too. They may be better now.

its basting spray for me....no tucks ever

Do you remove the tags as you quilt? I like the method but ended up with tags all through my machine when I last used the gun. I like the look of that little tag remover too, not sure if I can get it here in Australia but will look for it at the Sydney Craft Fair on Thursday. Thank you for the link and hints on how you get the best results.

I have one, sometimes I use one and pin some too. I don't like the mess of basting. I would prefer to pin.

I don't have a basting gun due to the bad reviews here on the QB. One suggestion I can make to you is that even though you hate pinning, it really is essential in keeping your backing wrinkle free. (along with the taping). The best advice I ever got about pin basting was to place a pin one hand width apart. This has kept me wrinkle free (and happy!) especially because I don't tape my backing down.

Are you basting close enought together. each pin or basting gun tap should be 3 to 4 inches apart. good luck I did the basting gun thing ones. got blisters on my thumb from pulling the trigger. then when taking out the little tabs, kept finding them in the capret for years..... But what ever works best for you. good luck

Yes, I do remove the tags from about a square foot at a time. The tack remover makes it easy - one half stays in the remover tool and the other half, you pick up with the tool and drop it into your thread bag.

Glad the hints were helpful. I think the key is in using the tacks as "stitches," with both ends being on the top side. The way it was initially used, punching straight down and firing, lets the fabric "play" too much on the tack and I think it can enlarge the holes. With the "stitch" method and very short tacks, the layers are held firmly together. :)

To avoid tucks here's how I was taught and I've never had a problem with tucks. Don't know if the same apply with spray basting.
Lay your back on the table get it smoothed out and tape it down then your batting smooth it out. This is the part that is different but I swear it works lay your quilt top on top now leave it for 5 mins, let the quilt top rest and settle down on top of the batting. Now smooth it out. This is also different then how others do it, I always make sure I have one other person around when I'm sandwiching, my kids have become pros. You stand on one end and someone on the other pull the tape up from the table but not off the quilt back and turn the whole sandwich over and smooth out. Turn it back reattach tape to the table, smooth and baste with pins or thread.
I do not love to sandwich but I do this every time and all my backs are tuck and pucker free. I also make sure my backing and batting are 3-4inchs extra all around. It's alot and I'll be doing it this week but it gets it done. Hope that helps have fun!!

Me too!!! Threw the gun away, left holes in my tops.

I had a basting gun - used it once and gave it away. I didn't like the holes it made in my quilt - even the fine needle. So, I'm a convert to basting spray. Love it!

Like others on the Board, I threw mine out.

I have the cheap gun and I use it whenever I plan to hand quilt. There is a rack that goes with it that you slip in under the backing when you are using the gun that lifts the quilt high enough from the the table or floor to allow space for the gun's needle to penetrate without the needle hitting the surface. It does jam occasionally but not enough to drive me crazy or anything. I will warn you, if you use one, that you will ruin your good sewing scissors if you snip the tags with them. Be sure to use a cheap $2 pair for the snipping. I never use the spray baste because it tends to drift in the air and I don't want to get sticky stuff all over in my room or on my table etc. Good luck!

hated mine. basting spray is the way to go unless you have a l/arm.

I used to have one and used it frequently until the holes left in the fabric by the tags bothered me too much. Also, the tags got in the way of my free motion quilting. I gave it away to Goodwill and never looked back.

I have one and love it. It's the only thing I use for basting my quilts. I don't like spray basting.

I tried a basting gun and to be honest I returned it. It did nothing. I'm totally for basting spray. My puckering days are behind me. I say try it the spray on some scraps to see if you like it, I'm sure you will

You are using a walking foot, right......and supporting the quilt all around the machine?

many are allergic to the spray basting it can cause severe breathing problems, as well as gummed up machine.

I had one many years ago & threw it away. The first time I tried to use it, it made holes in my fabric. I haven't had good luck with spray basting either - must be doing something wrong - because so many people love it. depending on the size of the quilt I use a combination of safety pins & actual basting - takes longer to get the sandwich ready, but I'm usually pleased with the end result. I hand baste on the diagonal & through the center - then pin the rest. Since I hand quilt, I am going to buy one of the grace frames that will eliminate all basting. I had a 4 rail frame many years ago & loved it, but one of the geared rails broke & could never find a replacement for it & it was too large for the available space I have now.

I bought one at Tuesday Morning for around $5.00, tried it once and tossed it in the trash! It was worthless.

I have one too. . . I use mine to temporarily attach a hanging sleeve on the back of a quilt

I used to use one and I think it was the Dritz. The thing jammed a lot and I had to replace the needle several times. I think that was $9.00. I didn't have any folds on the back. But, I didn't like the holes it left and now I use the basting spray on larger quilts and safety pins on smaller ones. When I use the spray, I do it outside and tape down each layer to be sure all is ok. I've also used binder clips around the edges to hold down layers when basting on my table using safety pins.

Me Too! I never did use that wicked thing for quilts, even though I bought it for that purpose. Never came out of the drawer (thanks to this Board and spray basting reviews) until I wanted something that would stay on the clothes on the rack so some people's parents wouldn't switch price stickers during our garage sale. Starch and spray basting only way to go for me.

I have bought Three!! I am a slow learner; LOL! They are a waste of money, and fall apart. Go with glue!
Judy

I have heard that they are not that great. I can't see where they would have any advantage over pins or basting with thread. Sometimes you just have to suffer through the part you don't like (hand basting)