I am fairly new to quilting, I was just wondering if you can send your quilt out to get the basting done? I am finding it difficult working on my knees for the very large quilts, ok for the smaller ones. I have read all about the various ways you can do alternatively to baste but I just can't imagine myself doing some of them, some seem very awkward like over a bed etc. Just wondering what the alernatives are, basting is my least favourite part of quilting.

Gal

I work on my dinning room table and do a section at a time. I tape backing on two sides and then baste, then move the quilt, retape and baste some more. I use the chairs to hold the quilt to keep it from pulling. hope this helps.

I spray baste with a water soluble spray adhesive (505 Spray). I basted a double size quilt last night in 20 minutes.

I found this site on the board yesterday - www.pinmoor.com
It has a video on product which may be useful to you.

Scrapykate, how do you deal with the width, I am trying to imagine your method, trying to keep it taught etc? My Queen size are about 2m x 180. I would love to see some pics of how all you creative folk get round this problem.

Gal

Many of the Long Arm pros in my area do basting only. You may want to check it out in your area.

Deema, is your spray method suitable for hand quilting as this is my prefered method of quilting. I can't imagine being done in 20 mins! Are you an experienced quilter? Basting my last QS took my friend and I all morning down on our knees!

Gal

Thanks Lori, that is what I wanted to know, didn't want to appear stupid asking, just in case, my poor knees and back are getting old!

I shall still check out all the other options though as cost cutting does come into my quilt making.


Gal

Experienced? Far from it, that double is my third quilt! lol I'm not sure about the hand quilting, though, I machine quilt. From what I've read, people don't seem to have any problems with hand quilting. No gummy needles, needle and thread slide through easily, etc., but having never done it, I can't speak from experience.

Thanks Deema,
I am going to look into this, I can always use a mask as being asthmatic, spray cans play havoc with my breathing, but I am willing to give new things a try as I think I am now past the stage of crawling about on my knees I have decided!!!!

Gal

I send my quilt top to my machine quilter...she prefers to do the whole thing - sandwich and then binding! I am sure willing to let her do it as I really am unable to do much more than the sewing. She supplies the batting that she likes to work with. And I am more than pleased with her work.

Thanks Janb,
I was sure that it could be done, but I wasn't sure if the Long Arm Quilters would do it for you if you are hand quilting and not having the machine quilting done by them a well.

Gal

A few things to consider when sending a quilt out for Long Arm basting only.
1. Using a high thread count sheet is not a good idea. Since the basting will be removed, there will be needle holes. The Long Arm will use a much thicker needle than a hand quilter.
2. Batik backings are a higher thread count than typical quilting cottons. Having sent many many quilts out for Long Arm work , I always ask for my trimmings back. Those trimmings where the long arm pattern extended way past the quilt... the backing trimmings were not usable where the machine had "needled" the area. The holes from the needle were sizable enough that it was very visable and permenant. If it is a basting only this should be minimal.
3. Do ask to have the edges basted as well. Something to consider as well .... , it would be easy for them to make the first trim for you removing the excess backing and batting. I always do a final trim before putting the binding on the quilt.

i do know of a couple long-arm quilters who will baste your quilt together for you. check the long-armer's list and put out a request, i'm sure it's not that expensive to take that task out of your hands. some long-arm'ers will also hand stitch your binding s for you...never hurts to ask...
that being said, there are some ... who are kind of (taken back) by such inquiries...if you run into one of them, i'm sorry...but don't take it personal and ask someone else.
i have a (new-friend) who brings me all of her quilts to do the binding on now even if she pays someone else to quilt them for her...she asked her regular (quilter) about doing the binding for her on a couch throw...the woman told her it would cost $125!...just for the binding, machine stitched to front, turned to back and hand stitched...evidently the woman hates doing bindings! i charge her $20 ... she has arthritis so bad she can not hold a needle, but she still really enjoys making quilts.
so anyhow...don't stop with just one inquiry, ask around...someone will be your answere!

Lovely to read my mail this morning and find some more very helpful tips, thankyou so much everybody.

Gal