Does Anyone Pin Baste?
04-02-2023, 11:52 AM
#21
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Florida
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Also, I have major reactions to spray cleaners. So I’m very careful about aerosols.
04-02-2023, 12:26 PM
#23
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
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I pin basted one quilt and after that threw away all my pins. Nope not happening again. I glue baste. I spread the glue in a thin coating, covering every square inch. Do top and backing to the batting. Let dry and then press with starch to get the crinkles out. The sandwich is flat as a board. My quilts look as flat as the ones I take to the LA for fancier quilting.
04-02-2023, 12:37 PM
#24
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Gaylord, MN
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I pin baste my quilts. I also tried glue but couldn't get smooth either. I first lay my quilts on the floor and put the backing, batting and top together, then along with hubby's help I move the whole thing to my dining table which opens up to 125". Start pinning in the middle and smooth and pin my way out to the edges. When I FMQ it, I also start in the middle and work out to the sides. Then if needed I may repin if there is any puckers, etc. Works for me.
04-02-2023, 12:38 PM
#25
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mableton, GA
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Gosh, I've never had that problem. I wait til the glue is dry. I wonder what the issue was. Also, it washes out every time for me.
04-02-2023, 02:46 PM
#26
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Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
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I don't pin baste. I use this system to spray baste. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPaI...7sDesignStudio My quilts always come out well with it and no crawling around on the floor.
04-02-2023, 02:49 PM
#27
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 3,258
I pin baste only. Also use the clamps that were shown previously. Sometimes I use the blue painter's tape to hold the backing in place until all the layers are where I want them. I found some good, curved pins that are smooth and sharp, glide right through the sandwich. Since I do FMQ on my home machine I have to stop to reposition my hands so I move the pins out of the way at the same time. Actually the layers stay together very well and I have never had a problem with bunching or pleats on the back, or anywhere. I know many people on this site really hate pin basting but it suits me very well.
04-02-2023, 04:03 PM
#29
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Outside St. Louis
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Hint for spray basing and pin basting. It is very important to get all the wrinkles out before you baste. I use clamps, like these to hold the backing really flat then sptray the backing, layer the batting and top. For me, this never fails. 
But to answer your questions, yes. Folks do pin baste, I helpd a gal yesterday while we were at a quilting retreat with her pin basting. We still used the clamps to get all really tight and smooth, then pinned away!. BYW, the clamps can be found at any of the big box hardware stores, I got a collection of small, medium and large for about $10. The small/medium work just as well as the large.
Yikes, I needed to resize the photo, but you get the idea! Tee-Hee-Hee
But to answer your questions, yes. Folks do pin baste, I helpd a gal yesterday while we were at a quilting retreat with her pin basting. We still used the clamps to get all really tight and smooth, then pinned away!. BYW, the clamps can be found at any of the big box hardware stores, I got a collection of small, medium and large for about $10. The small/medium work just as well as the large.
Yikes, I needed to resize the photo, but you get the idea! Tee-Hee-Hee
04-02-2023, 04:43 PM
#30
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,152
I find pin basting much easier/more reliable than spray basting if I'm doing something on my domestic vs. my longarm. I roll the quilt top, quilt back, and batting up on 1x2 furring strips that are longer than the quilt is wide, then layer and unroll all three together and pin baste (I use the now-discontinued Kwik-klip tool and Paula Jean pin covers).
If you Google "pool noodle quilt basting" you'll see what I do except they use pool noodles. I line my ironing board up next to my cutting table to make a long surface. I can stand and work at a comfortable height and get all 3 layers nice and smooth.
If you Google "pool noodle quilt basting" you'll see what I do except they use pool noodles. I line my ironing board up next to my cutting table to make a long surface. I can stand and work at a comfortable height and get all 3 layers nice and smooth.
