Using boards to sandwich & baste quilts??
 

Has anyone tried Sharon Schamber's method of using boards to sandwich and baste quilts? I've seen the videos and it looks easy enough but thought I'd like to get some feed-back before attempting it.

It works beautifully. When you're done the quilt is very stable and doesn't shift at all. I used size 12 perle cotton that comes on the balls but next time I'm going to use size 20 crochet thread. I found doll making needles at JoAnn's that are easy to thread with thread that size and they're nice and long and very sharp.

I have two sizes of boards. I have a 6 foot set for smaller quilts and a 10 foot set for anything that won't fit on the 6 foot boards. I store the boards on the floor behind my couch in the family room. I have two folding tables from Wal-Mart that I put together end to end when I use the 10 foot boards. Sharon doesn't show it in her videos but it helps to tape the top edge of your quilt to the board with painter's tape.

looks great, and i really want to...just haven't. thanks for your input Scissor Queen. Reinforces my thoughts that this is definately a great way to do it!!! JReadman, 'preciate you asking this.

This is a great way to baste you quilt... I just have the 6 ft. boards..did not even think about longer ones - thanks Scissor Queen for that idea..Hubby did such a nice job on the sanding of the 6 ft. ones...I just bet he would not mind to sand another set for me.

Judy in Phx, AZ

I use the board method for sandwiching and just LOVE it. I even added my own "feature"; I covered my boards with flannel so that the quilt top and backing don't slip around on them when I start to wrap. I've made a set of 12' boards and have done quilts 11' wide using this method. It's very accurate and makes things so much easier to handle! By the way, I spray baste with 505 instead of pin or thread basting. It goes pretty fast and the quilt sandwich holds together just fine for FMQing on my domestic machine.

never head of it sounds great I'm going to head to home depo thanks for the tip

I would love to see a photo. 6 foot by what? I can't quite wrap my mind around this.

azwendyg is being very modest. She has a wonderful tute on this method. Check it out. Best one I have seen.

With the encouragement of this thread I'm anxious to give the method a try and will check out Wendy's tute.

Jan in VA

Yes, Wendy is being modest! But we can toot her horn.

While you are at it, check out the articles she has on all of her FMQ. :)

I got as far as buying the boards several weeks ago! Looking forward to trying it and will definitely use the flannel tip. Thanks!

thanks for the tip

Thank you all for the encouragement and tips that have worked well for you ~ can't wait to try it out myself!!!

She is being modest - I just looked at the pictures on her tute and they are really helpful!! Wish I had thought to look in the archives before I posted. ;)

I can't find your tutorial on the board. Can you please post the link to it. Thanks a bunch!

I have tried it and it works great. Just have to have somewhere to store 10ft 2"x4"s.

hugs

Caroline

Tried it, loved it.

I finally used the board method just this week and loved it!!! I did have a problem with the fabric slipping when starting to wrap so will definitely be using this tip for flannel!!!!!

I bought my boards about 6 months ago and finally got up the courage to just give it a try and am so glad that I did. I followed Sharon Schambers videos. I used DMC pearle cotton thread #8 (on a little ball at Joanne's) along with a milliners needle but probably any needle will do.

The first finger, on my right hand, was starting to get a blister from pushing the needle through the fabric and then grabbing it to pull it through so I put a bandaide on that spot and had no more trouble after that.

The best thing about this method is that I was only able to baste 1/2 the quilt, the first day, and it was very easy to just roll it all back up, on the boards, and put it away until the next day. I've machine quilted it on my regular sewing machine and didn't have any trouble with pleating or shifting of fabric.

Caroline, you can use 1 x 3's. They are pretty lightweight. I store mine under one of the beds. They stick out some but can be pushed up close to a wall.

Sharon Schamber's method
 

It is the only method to use, as far as I'm concerned!! no crawling on floor...no odors from spray... and if I can use her method, ANYONE can!!! It works beautifully!! But, I think there is some confusion.. the method I use is Sharon Schamber's basting method... It is easily found on YouTube. I'll be looking at the other videos mentioned here, too. Hadn't thought of storing them behind the sofa! Perfect!!

Thank you for this, I spray baste too and was wondering if this would work for me.

I also use boards-honestly I used to hate basting, now I don't mind it at all. I iron my quilt top and backing and starch it before rolling it on the board. I use spray baste and pins to hold everything together. This actually made the quilting process easier for me, as my quilt sandwich is now super flat. Highly recommend it. I have two sets of boards, a shorter set for twin and smaller, a larger set for queen size. The dudes at Home Depot will cut boards to length. I got the small set to start and try it,meant back for the larger Ser two weeks later!

I can't seem to find azwentyg's tutorial on Sharon Schamber's board method of sandwiching either. I would just like to see it done on a larger quilt than Sharon's video... Can anyone guide me to it?

Dina

Here it is
http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...mq-t91013.html

Thank you so much!!!

Dina

I thank you, too. I would have never found it!

I have used this method for my last few quilts and absolutely love it. Besides the basting made easier, it has helped my fmq. Since you are not stopping all the time to remove pins, my rhythm is better which means better and smoother quilting. Recommend that you should try it. :)

I have not tried Sharon's method. I've watched the video a couple of times.

Im new to FMQ, have only done one tester, a 36" sq carpenter star. I used 505 on it. It was small enough to hang on the garage wall to spray.I don't have a wall tall enough for a queen quilt.

how do you spray with the boards method? you couldn't keep the two boards tight together like Sharon shows in her video.