Basting safety pins
 

What type (curved or not), and size of safety pins do you prefer for basting your quilt?

When I pin-basted, I purchased the smallest bronze safety pins I could find at the quilt store. Bronze pins don't rust, and smaller pins are easier to push through the layers than large pins. I bought pins at the quilt store because I figured they would be sharp; cheap safety pins I have bought at Walmart, etc. can be exceedingly dull!

I think the size of my bronze pins is 0 or 00, and I could pin quilts using Warm and Natural quite easily with them. The only reason to possibly go up a size would be if you are using high loft polyester batting.

I bought my pins before curved ones became available, so not sure if curved might be better.

Are you absolutely sure you want to pin? I broke a very expensive walking foot when it got caught on a pin (one that I missed when taking them out) while I was FMQing. Started spray basting after that. Spray basting is much faster and also holds the layers together better than pins (because layers are in continuous contact with each other, whereas with pins they are in contact only every 4 inches or so). I would never go back to pins.

I tried safety pins but hated them. Too thick and difficult to push through the fabric, and all the closing and unclosing the pins was rough on my hands. I use straight pins and pinmoors now and LOVE that method. More expensive than safety pins, but sooo much easier to insert & remove!

I used the curved basing pins, and they are around one inch long...just measured one. I also have some straight ones, and I like the curved ones better.

I also use a tool that sort of looks like a screwdriver to help close and open the pens when they are in the quilt. It is called a Kwik Klip. You might be interested in one of those if you decide pens is the way you prefer to baste. I've never tried any other method, as this works fine for me. The Kwik Klip keeps my fingers from getting sore and speeds things up. You put all the pins in, leaving them open, and then take the Kwik Klip and just snap each closed.

http://www.google.com/#q=Kwik+Klip&t...52096839510432

Dina

I have #2 curved safety pins because I thought they might go through the layers easier than straight. Personally I think basting with pins is a pain and I am going to use basting spray next time to see how I like it:thumbdown:

This is exactly what I did when I pin basted.

I like the one to one and a half, and when I pin I use up most of the length in the pin. I also use a spoon to open and close the pin by pushing on one side of the spoon it lifts up the other for pinning.

I used the curved ones before I got my longarm. I'm getting too old to crawl on the floor pinning a quilt. That's why I have a longarm now.

I use both curved and straight. The curved can be a tad easier to close but not significantly, in my opinion. My friend uses just about any and all pins including old fashioned diaper pins! Gotta tell you, those things ROCK!

I have used brass 1" pins and I also use a Kwik Klip. I also have NEVER pin basted a quilt on a floor when there always is a LQS in the neighborhood where I can comfortable pin my quilts in their classroom (when not occupied).

Thanks for all the input. I have used the basting spray a lot, and will continue to use it for big quilts. The quilt I am pinning now as a wallhanging, so pinning was just as easy for me & less expensive! I have a Kwik Clip which a board member sent me when I first started quilting. I have to baste my big quilts on the floor and I just hate doing that! the last time I laid one out to baste, I picked it back up & took it to a quilter!

Oh, another thought……a woman in my guild doesn't close her pins on small projects, and she is an excellent quilter.

That's what I do also. I pin baste all of my quilt sandwiches and I always use the 1" curved pins and the Kwik Klip.

The few times I use safety pins, I use the colored ones and don't close them at all. This with my DSM only.

I use "pins" that come in a bottle labeled "Elmer's".

Same here. I love the story/joke about the husband who was helping his wife pin a quilt. It was taking him a long time because he stopped to straighten all the pins. :-) I have tried the 505. When I cleaned the overspray off my table, I decided I did not want any of that inside my quilt. So I'm back to pinning.

Mine are curved and I put the plastic covers on them. It sure helps and also got the handle to close and unclose my pins.
So much easier to use especially since I dislike this part of making quilts so much.