Pinning vs. Spray Basting
 

Hi,
I am new to machine quilting, and am wondering if I should be using spray basting instead of pinning. I hate it when the quilt layers shift while I am quilting. For those of you that use the spray basting, do you spray all three layers? Does it wash out well?

I have used the spray basting for applique, and it does work well for that. Maybe the two should be used together? I am so interested to hear what y'all do! ~smile~
Thank you,
Roseanne

I thread baste with tatting thread and a herringbone stitch, as taught by Sharon Schamber in her board basting video, and there's no shifting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhwNylePFAA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_EjBGz5vGQ

I'm not a spray baster and will leave those questions to others, but yes, if you hate pinning you should definitely try another basting method! :) Washable white glue is another popular way to baste - I've done that one, and for a while I liked it better than the pins. There's also hand basting and basting guns, the latter is the one I'm trying next. Just thought I'd throw out some more ideas in case you're interested.

I've always pinned. Afraid to try anything else, but there are folks who swear by the spray method, and love it.

When I first started quilting I pinned and had problems with shifting fabric. I switched to spray basting (I use Sulky) and no more shifting fabric.

at our senior center quilt group [ladies that have been quilting for decades] the quilts are pinned, then basted zigzag sylte, then hand quilted... no shifting there

OMG yes - switch to spray basting! It is sooooooo much better than pinning. You won't believe how much faster, easier and better it is. I used to pin baste, and didn't think it was difficult or troublesome... then I was introduced to spray basting and I will never, ever go back!

I lay out the batting, and lay the backing over it. Then I fold back half of the backing fabric, and spray the batting (spray lightly - a little goes a long way!). Bring the backing forward a foot or so at a time, and smooth it onto the backing with your hands. Keep advancing it this way until the whole sprayed section is covered. Then fold back the other half of the backing and repeat.

Working from the middle out like this makes it easy to avoid pleats and wrinkles. Laying it out in advance (before spraying) makes sure it's centred and going to fit.

Once the backing is attached, I flip it over and do the same process to attach the front.

I was introduced to spray basting at my guild's charity sewing day, making quilts for preemies in the NICU. I haven't specifically tested how it washes out, but I haven't had any problems, and I assume the hospital would have told us if there were any concerns over chemical residues - they set the standards for the materials we used. We used 505 spray, and I haven't bothered trying other kinds because the 505 works so well.

Spray basting was an absolute revelation for me. I highly suggest you try it!

Edited to add: I took the Craftsy class "Small Machine, Big Quilts" with Ann Peterson, and she sprays the fabric rather than the backing. There are some good tutorials online (I like the one by the Australian lady who uses her ironing board to spray baste). Check out Youtube and you will see a few ways to do it, then pick a method that works for you.

I had issues with puckers when I pin basted. Switched to spray basting (I like 505) and it works great. I put all three layers together, peal back the top halfway, spray the batting in strips (starting in the center) and smooth the top back on over the batting in sections to the outer edges. Walk around the table and repeat with the other half. Then I flip the whole thing over and do the same, peeling back the backing halfway and spraying the batting again. When done, I leave it laying flat overnight to dry, and start quilting the next day. Some folks iron the sandwich after spraying, but I have not found that necessary.

I use Elmer's school glue to hold my quilts together. I've tried spray basting, but the layers still shift. I have had absolutely no problems with using school glue - nothing shifts, it is easy to hand quilt through, and it washes out beautifully. I iron the layers together as I glue baste them so everything is dry and ready to go as soon as I finish putting the layers together. I follow the same process as Jeanne S, but use very, very thin lines of glue drizzled on from about 24 inches above the quilt.

I hand quilt, in a hoop or on the frame, so pin basting works fine for me.Good thing too. With my lungs, I don't want to spray ANYthing!

I love spray basting - for me its #1. BUT it also gets expensive buying the spray. I have tried glue basting in a couple of different ways ... and today I am trying it again. Glue is much, much better than pinning, but I am still trying to find the glue process that I like best

I used Hobbs heirloom 80/20 fusible batting for eons. at the moment i use 505 spray. i lay my quilt layers on a table (outside) and fold the top back. spray on the batting and fold the top down patting flat as i go. when all the top is done, i flip it, smooth the backing and fold out of the way. spray on the batting again and fold backing down patting flat as i go. if i'm to man handle the quilt, i pin the edges.

I use 505 basting spray and love it. The layers really don't shift. Here is one method I've tried on a smaller quilt and it worked. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPed...&index=6&t=36s

On larger quilts, I might add some pins along the edges just in case.

great video. but I can't stand the smell of the spray. It's so windy here every day it's hard to spray anything outside. I'll just stick to Sharon Shambers way.

I've not made a large number of quilts -- I'm just a newbie. I will say this, I am asthmatic, and the spray basting is absolutely out of the question. I'm still learning, but have had no problems with pin basting. Of course, I am generous with the pins! Whatever method you decide to use, sandwiching the quilt is the hardest part of making a quilt JMHO! I have qualms about the glue-basting -- first of all, washing a quilt (especially king size) is not something I would want to do in my domestic washing machine. The only laundromat with the giant-sized washers is clear across town (about 25 miles one-way) and those machines are very expensive to use. I am currently working on a project to make sandwiching very easy -- let's home it works!

I've only done pin basting and haven't had any problems with shifting or puckering, knock on wood! Because this works for me, I haven't tried other methods. I do use lots of pins and kind of use that time to think about how I might do the quilting. I do have a large cutting table to use for pinning which helps. It is a good height to work on and I can leave the quilt there until it's done. I'm not in a rush to finish my quilts, either. You will find a method that works for you. Lots of good advice here.

I pin if it's a small quilt, but anything larger than 40x40 inches, I spray baste and it is the absolute best! I've done queens and kings and had no issues. The example that was given above on how to do it is exactly how I do it.

I've washed them all in my machine and had no issues with the spray coming out.

You will LOVE it. Yes, it can be expensive, but shop around. I use the 505. I'm in Canada, fabricland charges an arm and a leg, Walmart had it for almost 1/2 the price!

I don't know how long it would take to pin a "throw" size quilt, but I can spray baste one in about 15 minutes, including the smoothing out part before and after spraying. Well, maybe 20 minutes.
And I don't think my fingers would allow me to pin a quilt.
The smell of the 505 is very very slight. I am sold on it.

I'm normally a hand quilter and pin baste most quilts. Queen/kings I tend to thread baste. I'm getting ready, though, to jump into machine quilting because I just need to get some quilts out the door. I'll probably thread baste to keep the weight down as well as not have to deal with pins while machine quilting.

I never pin. hate the squeezing and pinching and thread caught on pins. Love the spray or hand baste with boards. Will be trying glue baste on next quilt if the iron will reach.

Spray all the way for me. I would never finish a quilt if I had to hand baste or pin. I do not have allergies or anything that keeps me from using it - I don't notice much of a smell at all (but I am not a sensitive smeller)

I spray baste using Sullivan's Basting spray and it washes right out in the washer. I always wash and dry my quilts when they're completely finished. I usually purchase several cans of Sullivan's from Nancy's Notion when on sale.

I just took a class with instructor Sue Heinz and she had us baste our small FMQ project using Sharon Schamber's method. I thought I would give in a go and basted my Mystery Train #16 in this manner. It makes FMQ on your DSM very easy...just clipping the basting threads along the way rather than trying to unpin with your quilting gloves on.

I used to pin baste but once I started glue basting with washable school glue (Elmer's or other brands) that's all I use for machine quilting. I have never used spray basting for quilts because I didn't want the expense, fumes or mess of the over spray. Some of my friends spray baste and wouldn't do it any other way.

There is a lot of information about glue basting if you want to explore that. Either google it or put it in the search bar on Quilting Board and you'll find a lot. It does not work well for hand quilting and you have to wash it out so for a wall hanging you might not wash then it wouldn't work their either. For those I thread baste.

I use 5o5 spray basting. It is easier than pinning, quilt parts do not shift . and it is soooooo much lighter and easier to push thru the machine. Tjis bran washes out and will hold in place for months I think there is not much odor. A small can now be gotten at Joann's with coupon for about $6.00. Well worth the money!!!!!

You can also get a long arm quilter to basted a quilt for you. When I had my long arm, I would put the quilt on the frame and use a long stitch baste it about ever 4 inches down the length of the quilt. I would charge a flat rate to do this for my time and the thread.

I also spray baste now and love it. It doesn't take much so the smell is not an issue. Spray the batting turn and spray the other side. Just smooth ss you go. Has made basting a lot more "painless"

I've had some bad experiences with spray basting so personally would stick to pinning. If you start from the center, work your way out with a pin every three to four inches, it should not shift. I always start my quilting in the center, only taking out the pins I have to as I go.

I alway pin basted... until I tried spray basting. It made it so fast and easy. I still stick a few pins around to help the glue hold it together. Haven't tried the elmer's gluing right out of the bottle. I guess I just don't trust it, but I know I should try it before I decide. Spray glue is expensive.

well - what don't you trust about Elmer's washable school glue? I've done umpteen quilts with it and it doesn't shift or gum up the needle if it is dry. So easy and inexpensive and no fumes or over spray. As someone upthread says. Drizzle on full strength from about 24 inches up.

Mitty, I would discourage your using the tacking gun for basting. Every one I know has quit using that method due to the holes it leaves in the fabrics, but each to his/her own.

Thank you all for your replies! I think I may have to give spray basting a try . . . so many of you give it the thumbs up. I probably will still put in a few pins until I am comfortable with the process. I really do appreciate all of your suggestions. ~smile~
Roseanne

I love spray basting! Especially for small to medium size quilts. I set up a big piece of cardboard on a card table outside with a sheet on it. Lay the back down first; spray the back; roll the batting and then unroll it onto the backing; spray the batting; roll the top and unroll it onto the batting. The rolling is important so that you get things smooth as you go. Need to do outside because of the odor and need for ventilation. Also I didn't want to chance sticky on my floors.

Only spay baste. Have had no trouble with smell or washing of quilts… I have about 100 of the bent quilting pins; what a waste of money and my time and still got wrinkles. With spray basting, no problems for me… "to each his own".

Find what works best for you!

I have posted on this issue before -- so I'll try to keep this short -- it is not the smell of the spray (505?) -- it's the chemicals -- I have had emergency hospitalization or ER Treatments due to the chemicals in various sprays -- Yes, I have asthma. If it works for you, fine -- I won't try to persuade you otherwise. But, even scented hand sanitizers stir up my asthma, so I don't risk that. I am very careful with my pin basting and have had no problem with puckers, etc. I would never criticize what anyone else does -- you have to do what works for you. But respiratory problems are very serious -- tobacco smoke even outside precipitates asthma reaction -- I carry an emergency inhaler in my pocket at all times. Given that, it would be stupid for me to risk spray basting. As long as the chemicals don't bother you, it's probably your "go-to" method. For me, I prefer to avoid asthma attacks -- they are dangerous and not pleasant at all, and the emergency rooms are extremely expensive!

Jeanette, I understand your concerns, regarding spray basting and your lungs!! Nothing worth risking a bad reaction. I'm curious, though, that you don't wash your quilts when they are done? Or ever? Or just that you don't want to take them to the laundromat at some point? Anyway, I don't have any asthma or sensitivity to scents, but, just don't like spray basting. And I'm not enamored with the Sharon Shamber board method, even after watching her videos, so I'm "sticking with" the glue, haha. And, I agree, whatever works for us is what we should use. One size does not fit all in the quilting world!!

I love glue basting. No overspray, no fumes to inhale, no shifting. And last year I bought a load of Elmer's at a before-school sale at Office Max for $.50 a bottle. Can't beat that. And it's sold everywhere, drug stores, grocery stores, etc.

I tried spray basting...outside. Didn't want the fumes in the house. Then the wind came up and blew it all together. ugh. So now I use the washable Elmer's glue. If it is a really large quilt, I hand baste the layer together starting from the center and going outwards.

I have recently tried basting with washable school glue and it worked just fine, but I did not like the feel of the ridge formed by drizzling the glue. So I experimented and made a spray out of it by using a 2 (glue) to 1 (water) and put it into a spray bottle. WORKS GREAT. And there is no chemical over spray/fume to deal with. I got my spray bottle for 99 cents at my local grocery store [it is less than three ounces]. I get a more even coating of the glue and it dries fast. Also, has a less stiff hand while staying together easily.

I love spray basting. The fabric is repositionable quite easily. With a coupon, the 505 is affordable (when I consider how much time and frustration it saves), and I don't worry that I'll accidentally sew over a pin.