Magic wand
 

Wish I had a magic wand that I could wave over my quilt and it would perfectly sandwich itself. I have worked 3 hours on it, and am somewhat satisfied. Think I will let it set awhile and then try to perfect it. Any suggestions?

Sharon Schamber has a video on YouTube about board basting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyaLsMafElo
It is the only way I baste my quilts now and it works! Some people use pool noodles with a dowel or pvc pipe inside to stiffen them, I have never done that, but it looks like it would work as well. I hand quilt my quilts and this is so much easier than anything else I have tried, plus no getting down on hands and knees!

I feel your pain. I absolutely detest sandwiching! I need to watch that video.

My loathing of sandwiching and basting was one of the major reasons I got a longarm.

It's funny you should say that, feline fanatic. I just sent a King sized quilt out to be LA'd and was thrilled to pay for the service!

Yes, I had a full sized quilt long armed earlier this year. What a relief that I didn’t have to mess with the sandwiching. The one I am working on is only 76x58, but still is a challenge.

I spray baste mine using the homemade basting spray. Takes about 25 -30 min for a queen size quilt. I open up three folding tables and lay it out flat. I have had several quilts sprayed basted for over six months and still together. I won't use pins or thread to baste ever again.

Would you mind sharing your homemade basting spray recipe? I know that many of us would love to have it.

I just jump in and get it sandwiched. I use my glass topped dining table. I am always anxious to get onto the next one.

I glue baste with elmers washable school glue and it doesn't take long and then the quilt isn't heavy with pins. I watched the sharon shamber video and I don't think that is for me. Seems like it takes a lot longer than my way.

Before I got my long arm I took a different approach to basting. I taped it to the wall. Basting was so much easier that way than getting down on the floor or bending over a table.

Cari

I use this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVRrFGFXXfc

I drape mine over my large cutting table. To get it all square I start by lining up a corner of the backing and batting with a corner of the table and then lay the quilt top on it a couple of inches in from the two edges. Pin or spray, then slide the whole thing over to get to the next part. The only thing that I fuss overis making sure the sandwich is all smooth each time I slide it. Takes very little time if spray basting, more if pin basting, but still not more than a couple of hours to get a large quilt basted.

Sometimes for a very large quilt I’ll butt a couple more tables up against my cutting table.

Rob

I feel your pain---I HATE sandwiching my quilts. I have to lay it on the floor and crawl around on my hands and knees and I am so exhausted when I am done. Then the dog has to walk across it once in awhile and then the granddaughters need something. Never ending problem!!!! I know hate is a very strong word but I really do hate to sandwich my quilts.!!

I am fortunate to belong to a quilting group that meets weekly. We work together when someone has a quilt to sandwich. Many hands make light work.

Are you pin basting?

I spray baste and it usually takes me about an hour or an hour and a half tops in my garage to do a queen.

Watson

The 6 x 4 table that fold in half is so easy to store and move. I would set up outside if I had no room inside before I crawled around on a floor to baste a quilt.

I let my oldest daughter know I'm going to need help sandwiching a quilt this week. It's king size and I currently can't use my right arm. That's one way to get it done! I use the boards and pins.

I baste with washable glue now, and I don't mind doing it. I can baste the quilt on a table, sliding it around as needed. I'm not sure how long it takes me (probably longer than I think, because everything always does). I'm not sure what basting method you're using, but try some of the other ones until you find one you like better (or resign yourself to the fact that you were already using the best one ;) ).

I am among those that do not enjoy sandwiching a quilt. Doesn't matter the method. I looked at an HQ Avante' at my local quilt shop a couple of days ago. A demo is for sale somewhere in the vicinity of $9,000 plus. I'm interested but my DH is not. Being retired has is moments of bliss and miss!

I glue baste my quilts on my table using the method below, except I fold the top in fourths to glue baste it as I layer it on top. I use thinned “Elmer’s school glue” to glue baste Nd surface dry the glue with my old hair dryer a section at a time. Worlds for me.

https://youtu.be/XPaIzuoY6Bg

I have used two ironing boards with thin sheets of plywood side by side. I cannot crawl aound on the floor, so the ironing boartd solves my problem.

I do mine exactly the same way but I use Elmer's Glue. I have been doing this method for several years and sometimes they sit for months waiting to be quilted!! My Sweet Sixteen never has had a problem with quilting over the dried glue. I do put it on in a very thin grid pattern and then smooth a foam brush over it to eliminate lumps and then heat set with a warm iron.

here is a discussion from this forum on basting with pool noodles.......a quick search of this forum will show more discussions on basting, maybe you will find a new way that is easier.

https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/basting-pool-noodles-t297082.html

here is another discussion from the search of this forum

https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f...t-t296911.html

Cari could you tell me more about this method?

Yep, sandwiching is a pain. I am no longer, due to knee surgery able to be on the floor. So I made my own stretching frame. I bought framing boards in various sizes, stapled muslin strips, with an overhang. Four are the same size,(8ft) which will hold a standard size bed quilt. Two are 6ft in length. Using c-clamps I can adjust the length and width to sandwich any quilt from a standard size to a table runner. Anything bigger or for show, goes to the longarmer.

I do something similar as Jingle - I sandwich on the dining room table and pin it.

ditto! that and I love the quilting process.

I have done that also! I use the wall in my gasrage.