Pinning a Large Quilt
 

I am working on my first large quilt- 85" x 85". It is a 9 block quilt made up of 3 columns with 3 rows, the middle column being slightly larger than the other two.

My question is whether I need to pin all nine blocks before I begin quilting from the center block out. It will take an insane amount of pins to do the entire quilt, but only 1/3rd the amount to just pin the first section. I plan to do channel quilting with a walking foot. Each block has a different channel direction (top/botton, left diagonal, right diagonal, etc.)

There are so many experienced quilters on this site, I wanted to get your opinions.

Thanks for your help! :)

What happens to me if I don't pin enough is that fabric will get flipped over and sewn in. And yes, you need a huge number of pins. From back when we first started with pins and used those big diaper sized ones, and now I have a more medium sized curved ones, I typically have a couple hundred safety pins. I keep mine in a cigar box.

I really don't recommend them but if you are going to do your project right away, maybe buy pins at the dollar store. You just don't want to use them for long term storage especially if you are in a high humidity area.

My preferred method is spray baste, but I'm going to be trying some basic Elmer's Glue in the near future. I was very disappointed with the bottle of spray I just purchased on a number of fronts, and basically I am cheap!

If you are going to put pins in, buy a grapefruit spoon that is zig-zagged on edges. It keeps your fingers from getting very sore. Put the pin through the fabric and catch the pin with the spoon edge and close it. Barny

This tool is made just for the purpose, though if you have a grapefruit spoon that will work too. https://www.amazon.com/Paula-Jean-Cr...2139968&sr=8-1

You could possibly pin the center section more densely (standard amount) and be somewhat more sparse in the outer areas to start, just to keep those outer areas from shifting on you. Then as you finish the center and move to the outer areas, take the pins removed from the center and add them in the outer areas you still need to work on.

you could also check with the long armers in your area and see how much it would be have them baste it...saves fingers, knees, and pins.

I stopped pin basting when I discovered 505 spray. It’s worth every cent to save time, my back, my fingers, my nerves. It was also a pain removing pins as I went , always afraid of breaking a needle. If you’ve never tried it, I would highly recommend you do for this huge quilt.

Pinning is back breaking work, no question. It's a personal choice if you use spray basting, pins or even thread.

Try basting with Elmer's washable school glue. It will change your life.