I have never used the basting spray before and wanted to get some advice. I bought basting spray for my next quilt buy am hesitant. I have always used pins to baste. Is it as easy as it sounds and does it really hold the layers together? I guess i am concerned with chemicals on the fabric. What are your thoughts?

The spray basting washes out but I've found that I still need to thread baste or pin if it's a fairly large project. The spray pretty much just holds it in place so that it doesn't shift as you pin. Or maybe I'm not using it right, I don't know.

I've used it a few times and love it. Largest i've worked with is a full size quilt, but know that several of the nationally known quilters use it all the time. It's held securely thruout the quilting process, even when I had to let the project sit for a while. I use the 505 brand.

It's wonderful. I still pin. The spray baste keeps your layers from shifting, the pins just hold everything in place. However, I don't use the number of pins I used to when I apply the spray baste.

I love it and if use it on a small piece I do not pin. Make sure you by a good brand. I use sulky temproary spray adhesive that was recommended by others on this board. I have no problem with it, non -toxic, odorless and clear. :thumbup:

I have used the spray with pins but have stopped using it. Although they say it washes out I found this not to be true. Had to re-pin a quilt because the person who helped(?) me was in a rush to use the table and made quite a mess.
I removed all the pins and tried washing the spray out, not only was batting very sticky but front & back of quilt were also. The only way I could iron them was to use my applique mat.

I don't use it because of the chemicals. All aresol sprays are harmful & I think spraying them indoors would not be good to breath as well as the chemicals your putting on your quilt. I will stick to my safety pin method for holding the quilt sandwich for quilting.

I love my 505! Have not pinned in years.

A helpful hind, when using the spray LESS IS MORE, not 'if a little works more will be better'.

When I spray, I tape down a old sheet to my kitchen floor, because I find it easier to throw sheet in washer versus mopping the kitchen floor. :roll: There is over-spray!

I tried the spray basting for the first time about a week ago and was completely satisfied with it, while it wasn't a huge quilt, it was a very large lap quilt and the spray held everything together. The test is coming today for a king size quilt. I'll let you know.

Where do you buy the 505 brand? My husband used to use it for his work van, but now we can't find it anywhere. Also, does it have anykind of strong smell? I have very sensitive allergies and am curious about that.

I find basting spray much easier on my back and knees than pinning, and much faster.

My recommendation is to spray outdoors, if you can, to make sure you are not breathing in the spray. Someone posted about putting plywood on a couple of sawhorses in the garage to provide a raised surface with plenty of ventilation; I think that is a great idea!

If you do have to spray indoors, put down a large flat sheet to catch overspray; sheet can be tossed in the laundry afterwards.

I'm not sure about the spray not coming out in the wash problem. Maybe it depends on the brand of spray? I've never had to take a quilt sandwich apart after washing, so I can't be absolutely positive the spray washes out completely. It has just never been a problem for me and have never noticed it not washing out completely from a sheet used to catch overspray. Maybe it is harder to get out of batting?

I've only used it on smaller quilts. I've had good results as long as you are using cotton batting and are machine quilting.

I don't know if it would work with poly. The can says cotton batting is best. And I don't know if you can hand quilt it.

But I used an old flannel sheet for overspray and it washed out just fine.

Pins - the quilter's safety pins that are bent.

You might try Sharon Schamber's basting method. She doesn't use any spray or pins and it makes the quilt sandwich very smooth and it doesn't shift at all. A friend did two good size quilts at the retreat we went to and had one of them half quilted by the time we left. To see videos of her method go to youtube and put her name in the search.

If you have asthma or chemical sensitivities, avoid the basting sprays. I use quilter's curved safety pins to baste my quilts.

I love the spray, I have not had any problem with it coming apart. God bless.

I am not a big fan of the spray, on smaller pieces ok. I find it sticky and messing.

I've used the 505 spray on smaller projects,and truly loved it!! Be sure to read the directions on the can. It is VERY flammable. I think using it outside is the best idea also and the plywood "table" is awesome. I'm not sure about other sprays.. I've heard stories about others gumming up a sewing machine, but not seen it first hand. I keep old rolls of Christmas wrapping paper to put on the table and use to catch overspray on smaller projects. You can buy it in quilting shops and http://www.sewforless.com/item/505_T..._Can/7391/c109 here's a good on line site

I am a huge fan of spray basting.

I was converted to this method when I lived on a tropical island and no kidding the safety pins would start to rust in less than a week.

I have used probably most spray basting products out their from 505 to June Taylor to a 3M product sold in Japan. As long as I followed the directions, I have never had an issue with my machine/needle gumming up, the product not washing out, or the quilting not holding together while being quilted.

And honestly, I have no intention on returning to the pinning method. Simply put spray basting works.

Since I got my machine quilting frame I don't have to baste at all! Bliss! :-D
In the past I used one-inch curved quilter's safety pins...I just never liked the mess of spray basting.

I have started to baste with long straight pins. It's fast and so much easier. I bought a package of these:
http://www.pinmoor.com/ (watch the video)
then ordered several more packages. They stay on the pins and do not come off until I take them off.

I plan on trying spray basting for the first time. I saw the 505 brand mentioned, is there any other suggestions in case I can't find that brand.

Pins for me, the curved ones

June Taylor brand works for me and I think it's cheaper than the 505

I always use the safety pins. I use the 505 spray for my machine embroidery and it has little smell. But still would not want to spray a lot for a big quilt in an inclosed area.

I only use the basting spray on very very small things like potholders, placemats and small wall hangings. It didn't hold well at all on a couple of baby quilts I tried it on before I got my Fun Quilter.

I use both. I spray and then I don't have to pin as much. Last summer, I sprayed a queen size stairway to heaven and used less than 30 pins. It lasted very well. Never gummed up my needle and the quilt was just as soft after I washed it than if I hadn't used the spray at all.

I don't pin at all on smaller projects.

I have been using the spray I get at JoAnn's, because I can buy it with a coupon. I love it! I used it on a queen size quilt, but did pin the edges to keep them in place. Nothing shifted, no wrinkles on the back. It works great! Now I use it on everything; I will NEVER go back to pinning the entire quilt (which I hated doing)!

I agree. I spray and then pin. the spray just helps hold stuff together until the pins get in. In small projects, like an placemat, maybe, spraying might be all you need.

As the minister said, "Lets us Spray!" I always spray, no matter what the project. Take it outside, and then spray LIGHTLY. I do give the edges a little extra, just for good measure. I have never had a problem of any kind.

I am converted to basting spray. I used to do pins but the spray works soooo well! Just be sure and shake it up for the full 2 minutes and keep it about a foot above the piece you are spraying............in other words...........be sure to follow the simple directions. Sure saves a lot of time. I use an old sheet underneath to catch the overspray as it can gum things up.

I wish I could remember where I read it, because there was a comparison of sprays and what they did to the fabric. Some of the cheaper sprays can actually yellow the fabric if not washed out soon after application. I believe the article said that the Sulky brand was the best.

I love using the spray for wall hangings or table runners. Haaven't had any problem with it not washing out, as I usually always wash my finished project. Just like the looks after the cotton batting shrinks a little. :0) Gives it the 'old quilt' look.

Love the spray basting-hold about 6 inches from fabric and
spray lightly , then smooth out onto your backing---do away with all the pinning .Much faster and neat .
Cleo

Well, I am a fairly new quilter. I have hand basted, used the pins and used the 505 spray.
The hand basting takes forever, the pins I didn't like at all, but basting with the 505 glue spray was absolutely perfect. I will never again hand baste or use the pins.
Try the 505, you'll like it!

I have used both. I found a u-tube that uses basting method with thread. Just google "how to baste a quilt." I used this method for the first time on the piece I am working on now. I really like this a lot better than pins or spray. I am hand quilting and not machine quilting. However she states that this can be used for either method of quilting.

The first time I used the spray, I think I sprayed it on too thick. It seemed to mess up my needle. The second time I used it, I sprayed it lighter and it seemed to work fine. I don't use it if I don't have to, but when I do, it works. Unlike pins, you can sew over it and I have a hard time remembering to remove pins until I have broken my needle and messed up my machine.

I love the spray. I use it all thr time and find that I don't have tp pin.

I love the spray. I use it all thr time and find that I don't have tp pin.

I use basting spray all of the time. I generally buy the cheapest one on the market and have never had a problem. The only precautions I make: Spray in a well - ventilated area, protect the area surrounding the quilt (I generally use paper), wear a mask and don't start quilting until 24 hours after you have put the sandwich together. That way, the glue does not gum up anything. I generally do a few long basting lines across the quilt and down the quilt before I start to quilt, just to make sure everything stays square. They are easily pulled - out before I put the binding on.
p.s. It is best to use cotton or wool batting, as I think that the spray could tend to melt the synthetic stuff. You should spray on the fabric and not the batting if you are using the synthetic variety.