Problem Sandwiching Quilt? I think I have an answer!
 

I am a "rank amateur" when it comes to quilting, but I've gotten well acquainted with the term "sandwiching the quilt." It has really been a thorn in my back for the past 2-3 years. I had almost come to the conclusion that I would have to stop quilting simply because I cannot bend over my bed, or my dining room table from a standing position, and i cannot stand for lengthy periods of time (more than 30 minutes). Then, I remembered that back in around 2002 or 2003, my husband had purchased a kit for a Hinterberg frame (at that time constructed for a maximum twin-size quilt. I did my first baby quilt on that frame. Now thatI'm making larger quilts, sandwiching the quilt has been a real problem due to my back problem. Sandwiching a quilt (about half a quilt, really) puts me in bed for two days. I can't afford to send them out for sandwiching and quilting. A couple of days ago, I remembered that this frame was expandable and that would be a wonderful way to sandwich my quilts. So, yes, it is expandable, and my son is in the process of doing the expansion. The advantages are many, but two of them are: 1) I can sit down to do the basting/pin pasting (I can't use the sprays due to asthma), and I'm not able to crawl around on the floor for this task, and 2) I won't be bending over. So, I won't have to stop making quilts! I am ecstatic about that - the creative process is very fulfilling! I'm making new leaders for the expanded size of the frame, so I think this is going to work for me. Even though I'll be quilting the quilts on my 201, this solves the major problem. Any ideas, suggestions?

Congratulations on remembering the frame and finding a solution to your sandwiching problem. I can't bend over either or crawl on the floor. My solution is my quilting daughter doing it for me. Thank you, Tammy.

yes, I have a suggestion that works for me, because I have the same problems and no H Frame to hope for. This is hard to explain so I am going to route you to two you-tubes so you can see for your self. The basic technique is to roll your quilt top, on one long board (I use a floor board), and roll the backing on another floor board, lay both boards on the dining room table and sit down. Unroll the boards about 18" at a time and baste your sandwich while you sit and reach comfortably. I do King size quilts this way. http://colormequilty.blogspot.com/20...d-basting.html

I have always hand basted my quilts, or pin basted.....but it is time to get with the 21st century and elmer glue baste the parts together for the sake of our hands and backs. http://sarasquiltingcorner.blogspot....-tutorial.html


So watch/read these tutorials or you-tubes. (there are many more examples on the internet) and just try this on a small quilt to get the hang of it...you will never turn back.

So glad you found a solution to your problem. Too bad there's not a way for you to use spray baste, because they really save a lot of time and fingers.

It sounds like the frame will work great for you.

I am a user of the board method. It works best if you cover the boards with flannel though. The fabric doesn't slip as it would on plain boards. It's a great option for me because I have back issues and also a lack of space to spread out the quilt for sandwiching.

Sandwiching is the worst part of quilting to me too. That's where all my quit tops stop for a while. Till I get so many piled up I have to sandwich. Hope your frame works for you, it sounds like a good idea.

I also thought I would have to stop quilting because of the sandwiching being so difficult. Not only was the reaching and bending a problem, but my fingers can't work safety pins, and everyone said thread basting isn't strong enough for machine quilting. Then I discovered the Sharon Schamber board method, and her herringbone stitching with tatting thread. It really holds, and no bending and reaching. So thankful.

I'm glad you found a solution. After trying many things I am sticking with (ha, just realized) Elmer's Washable School Glue for basting the sandwich. Inexpensive, easy, quick, no fumes. Quilt isn't as heavy as pin basted.

How wonderful to have a solution to your problem. I hope it works as expected. If not, perhaps you could work some kind of exchange of labor with someone who would be able to sandwich your quilts for you ... some people hate to do binding ... or perhaps you could change to a quilt-as-you-go process to avoid having to sandwich a large quilt.

I use to baste on a Grace Ez quilt frame. Then I discovered the glue and spray basting. I can sandwich a king size quilt in about 20 min.

Just a thought for larger quilts - longarm quilters will sandwich and baste a quilt for you and it isn't as expensive as them quilting the whole thing. Maybe $40 for a queen size quilt? I don't know if hand thread basting is weaker but do know that machine thread basting will definitely hold up to machine quilting. Definitely consider basting with the washable school glue as it is easier and much lighter then pin basting.
Glad to hear of your frame that will save your back. I too have back problems and have to think ahead all the time to help keep injury away.

I often do my sandwiches in part that aren't so big and easier to handle and doesn't bother my back. I also fmq the parts as they are easier to handle in the machine as well. Then just stitch the parts together. Sort of a quilt as you go techinque.

Oh do consider Elmer's glue basting if you can incorporate it into your frame method. I'm still able to tape my backing to the floor, but DGD was a big help this last time:).

I've only done the glue baste with a small baby blanket but it seemed to work well. I need to get the courage to try again with a larger project.

I put my backing on my cutting table, center it, clip it to the table with Office Clips, the largest ones, then the batting, move some of the clips to the batting, then center the top to all of it, re-clip every thing, then pin it all. when it is pinned, un-clip, adjust the quit, re-clip, pin, move again, etc. I can walk all around the table with out killing my back.

I, too, have found that the board method is a life (and back) saver. I covered my boards with decorator cotton and they are very easy to use to roll the quilt top and the backing. I roll the batting around a core of PVC piping.

I use a bed to lay the top on, then batting, then backing. I spray baste large quilts and let them air dry before moving them. Often use a few pins too, so I'm not bent over all that much.

When the day comes that I can't bend over the bed anymore, I may take my quilts to the church hall and put two or three long tables together and sandwich that way, standing up.

The way to go!! Inexpensive (buy it by the gallon and refill smaller bottles), no shifting of fabric, washable, no complicate directions.

Get me to the longarmer!

Where there is a will there is a way! lol I'm so glad you found a way that works for you because giving up quilting is not an option! All of us have to find a way to do things that works best for us & our situation. This board is always so much help with input on how they do certain things to make the process easier. So many creative minds here.

One LA here does a lot of business basting together the quilt $20 - $30 dollars each. She isn't a very good LA quilter but does basting just fine!

Where there's a will, there's a way. So glad you found a solution to your situation. What a great idea.
peace

Can someone tell me what is the board method ? Or direct me to a youtube please ?

I do layouts on a bed and raise it insanely high with cheap bed risers from Bed, Bath, Beyond. I have the 7" ones and then use some wood blocks beyond that. Not the most stable arrangement if you need to get up onto the edge of the bed, but it allows me to reach straight across without bending. Sort of like "the princess and the pea." My cutting table, where I baste, is similar.

I damaged a disc once, basting for a few hours with just a modest bend, and lost months to it. I never saw it coming.

hugs,
Charlotte

It really bothers me that I'm complaining about a problem like that, but there is absolutely no doubt that it's one of the worst pain I've ever had -- I spent 2 days in bed because of it. Having already had two cervical spine and two lumbar spine surgeries -- I just can't do that Now, I should be able to sandwich my quilt without serious problems.
I hope that this same remedy will help someone else!

I think this refers to Sharon Schamber's method of hand basting a quilt...no crawling on floor, no bending over a table... it is just genious! She has an older and a newer YouTube out...just look for Sharon Schamber hand baste quilt.... It's the method for me for even more reasons... she'll explain it... good luck!