Do You Baste Blocks?
 

I have recently been finding myself basting blocks together, especially when there are numerous seams that need to match. Am I wasting my time? Is pinning the blocks together just as good? Thanks for the help. Any and all suggestions are much appreciated.

Anita

I've never basted my blocks. I always pin. And when I get to the intersection, I take the pin out.

Use Elmer's School Glue. You'll never look back.

pin only, and if you butt the seams up next to each other they will stay in place while you sew it together.. go to Kayewood.com and watch her videos she shows you how to pin the seams to always have the perfect seam..

Thanks.

Not sure how the glue works. Do you literally glue the blocks together then sew your seam? Doesn't your needle get all sticky when you sew? Maybe I'm just not seeing it...? Call it a senior moment? :p

Thanks again.

Anita

On a long row, I pin where my seams intersect, then sew those only, open it up and make sure everything is right, if its not, I don't have to rip out the whole thing, just that inter section. If its right, I can remove the pins and sew the whole thing.

I wouldn't baste. That would be like sewing the top twice..... no thanks.

I don't baste anymore. Used to. If you iron the glue it dries. Otherwise, wait a while and it will dry. I have used it to baste my last 6 quilts and it is a pleasure. I also have used it to match intersections. Works great. Make sure it is the washable school glue.

I just pin mine, sew to the pin, remove the pin and continue on.

Ditto! Washable school glue, that is. Just a teensy dot at critical points works wonders. And no, it doesn't gum up my needle, because I touch it with the iron for a few seconds to dry the glue.

I simply pin. No basting or glue here. When pinning intersections I put a pin straight up/down through the intersecting seams, top & bottom. Hold straight then put pins through both layers on either side of the up/down pin. Works for me. I do pin long seams fairly loose but sew slowly enough that I can wiggle edges as I go to get everything straight. Of course, it doesn't help when you forget to move the needle to the 1/4" setting on the machine! Make really nice seams the wrong size and have to rip and re-do. Grrr.

i like this idea... i think i'll try it on my next long row

Do you re-sew over that intersection when you get to it or stop and cut thread then start again?

there's nothing wrong with basting your seams first.
it is not a waste of time or effort if it helps you get the result you want.

i use a variety of methods depending on how cooperative a top is as it goes together.
the method Jackie Spencer mentioned is one i use often.

I couldnt sew without my glue sticks! Keeps everything matched up.

I've done this too, where the intersections really need to hit right. I lengthen my stitch length during the basting run.

I do that seam-match too - I baste inside the 1/4" line where the critical match-ups are on a long row, just an inch or so at each junction, then if it is right, just sew merrily along the whole length, easing it along.

I don't usually baste blocks, but I have often basted rows. It is never a mistake to baste if that gets you the results you want. That said, try some of the different techniques suggested. I'm going to try the Elmers glue one. Sure wouldn't hurt and maybe will help.

I only pin the intersections, put pin in on the side that needle goes into first. Machine can't push it out of place.

Sometimes I baste and other times I use a glue stick which is the BEST way I have found to make sure the seams match perfectly! It does not leave a stain and washes out easily. I also use the glue stick to match patterns when I am sewing a quilt back, it is very forgiving :)

The only intersections I've basted were where the seams were pressed open - and there were twelve seams at the junction. Even with basting - the joins weren't perfect - but there was a lot less slippage doing that than if I had not basted at all.

I usually do not baste blocks together, though. I do mark borders and sashing so that things line up as I want them to, and pin them.

I don't normally baste, unless the machine is accidentally left on a long stitch. I pin only where necessary. I normally just sew unsew when it didn't work right.

I have basted blocks together, those with multiple seams and also PPed blocks where there is a lot of bias edges. Sometimes that extra care makes or breaks a pattern. With all the work that goes into building a quilt and if you really like those perfect intersections then basting or gluing or pinning all work towards that goal.

What ever works for you is what you want to do.

I want to try the glue. I watched S. shambers video on how to do it and looks like a good tip.

I was pinning while making the blocks for the farmers wife quilt blocks but found when putting so many small pieces together can creating so many seams, pinning moves the fabric a smidge and that was throwing some of my seams or points off enough to make me quite frustrated. I had the bright idea to use my small red clips that are used for holding binding and had much better results with matching my points. The fabric doesn't move when you use the clips, you can put the tips of the clips right where your seam will be so you can fold your pieces open to make sure they are right were you want them and the clips are flat on the bottom so you can sew right up to the edge of the clip before you have to remove them. I love them and no longer pin when I am piecing.

I pin if there are lots of seams. I used glue...very, very sparingly, but the machine didn't like it and the timing was affected. Trip to the shop. If you use glue, the recommendation I had was to use a titanium needle.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]440674[/ATTACH]JJust practing inserting pictures. I have a new computer with Windows 8 and this is a trial run. Not a very good photo. Will paste better ones if this works. Lizzy
I did this as raw edge applique. Sorry it is in the wrong place. I will try to put pictures in pictures from now on. :(

I am with the pin it crowd. Faster for me. I do place a pin vertically at intersections, keeps the seam from rolling as you sew. Just sew up to it and remove.

No basting ever!

As a new quilter in the 80's, I basted every seam. I don't do that now; just pin at critical junctions.

I have started using Elmer's Glue when I have seams that need to match. Pins seem to distort for me. Plus I'm always forgetting to bring the tin of pins to the sewing machine with me so I can take the pins out as I sew. Just lazy.

if it works for you it is probably faster than ripping out and resewing

Can't say that I've ever basted blocks either. Now that being said you need to do whatever works for you!! I use pins and I've have success with glue as well. Who would of thought of using glue for quilting??

I either pin or washable glue the blocks. Makes beautiful seams that meet at the intersections.