No, we are not talking turkey!
Why
baste?
To
keep the three layers (quilt top, batting, and backing) from shifting
or wrinkling during the quilting process.
Let's look at all your basting options.
Option
#1 Pin Basting
Pros:
Relatively inexpensive. Pins are reusable so once you buy them, they
will last a long time. Accurate; gives you a lot of control and you
can baste densely or sparsely as needed.
Cons:
More expensive if you spring for specialty curved basting pins. Time
consuming. Awkward to pin the center of a large quilt. Difficult if
you have any pain in your hands. You must stop machine quilting and
remove pins as you work; you do not want to catch your hopping foot
on a pin, or run your walking foot over a pin.
Option
#2 Spray Basting
Pros:
Fairly easy. Fast. No need to stop quilting to remove pins.
Cons:
Costly; a can of spray baste will run you $10 to $20 depending on the
brand. Stinky. The sticky overspray gets all over everything. Some
brands of spray baste work better than others. Sometimes you have to
re-iron to re-activate the fusible, which sort of negates the whole
time-saving idea.
Option
#3 Thread Basting
Pros:
Cheapest option. Uses only needle, thread, and scissors, all of which
you probably have already. This method gives a lot of control. You
feel the fabric and can ease wrinkles as you baste, and you can baste
as densely as you choose. No need to stop quilting to remove pins.
Cons:
Time consuming, can be labor intensive.
Option
#4 Gun Basting
Pros:
Quick. The basting gun can be used for other purposes, like
upholstery and labeling your quilt (think price tags for a craft
show).
Cons:
Must buy special equipment. Gun runs about $14-40, a pack of plastic
basting fasteners start at about $8. Repetitive motion injury risk
from pressing the trigger over and over.
Option
#5 Fusible Batting
Pros:
Fairly easy, quick. Batting has heat-activated glue in its surface,
so you layer your fabrics and iron to activate the glue. Especially
good for small projects.
Cons:
This process can get tricky with a large quilt. Sometimes you have to
re-iron to re-activate the fusible, which sort of negates the whole
time-saving idea.
Option
#6 Long-Arm Basting
Pros:
Quick, easy, especially if you already have a long-arm sewing
machine. Smooth, even, sturdy.
Cons:
More inconvenient if you have to deliver it to someone else and pay
them to baste for you.
The bottom line of basting is CHOOSE WHAT WORKS FOR YOU! Try different methods if you are frustrated with what you are doing now.
Now, go learn something else at one of these great participating blogs!
The Back to School Blog hop kicks off on September 1 and runs through the entire month, and little of October too as there’s just so much great info to share! Hop along with some of our industry’s pros to get tips and tricks for your quilting and sewing studio.
Sept 1: Peta Minerof-Bartos of
PetaQuilts – So, Does that Diagonal Method for a Pieced Backing Really Work
Sept 2: Cheryl Sleboda of
Muppin.com – The Quilter’s Knot
Sept 4: Cath Hall of
Wombat Quilts – Color Coding for Paper-piecing
Sept 7: Mandy Leins of
Mandalei Quilts – How to Keep a Perfect 1/4” Seam Between Different Machines
Sept 8: Rose Hughes of
Rose Hughes – Fast Pieced Applique
Sept 9: Megan Dougherty of
The Bitchy Stitcher – The Care and Feeding of the Domestic Sewing Machine
Sept 14: Jemelia Hilfiger of
JemJam – Garment Making Tips and Tricks
Sept 18: Christina Cameli of
A Few Scraps – Joining Quilted Pieces by Machine
Sept 19: Bill Volckening of
WonkyWorld – The Importance of Labels
Sept 23: Michelle Freedman of
Design Camp PDX – TNT: Thread, Needle, Tension
Sept 25: Jane Shallala Davidson of
Quilt Jane – Corner Triangle Methods
Sept 29: Amalia Teresa Parra Morusiewicz of
Fun From A to Z – French Knots, – ooh la la!
October 1: Tracy Mooney of
3LittleBrds – Teaching Kiddos to Sew on a Sewing Machine
October 2: Trish Frankland, guest posting on
Persimon Dreams – The Straight Stitch Throat Plate
