I always wash my quilts after so the glue washes out and I've never had any problems. Then pinning became the popular method for basting. Smooth the fabric with your hands and align the edges of the quilt so they are straight and the quilt top is centred and evenly placed on the backing fabric. If you are planning on hand-quilting a big quilt, this is a good method for securing the layers together for a long period of time without damaging the quilt. 3. An old spoon can be used in a similar way – see this blog post for a demonstration of the method. Tip: When spray basting, you should always be spraying the wadding, not directly onto the backing fabric or quilt top. Then the batting was laid on top. The Basting Butler foundation kit retails for $79.95. It also shrinks when washed for the first time and it is this that gives a crinkly look to a finished quilt. Which is basting the backing, batting, and quilt top layers smoothly together so that they can be quilted together without pleats or puckers on the front or back. Continue until the quilt top covers the wadding. Smooth out as before, and add this layer to the clamps all around the table. And I can quilt right through the glue. If you want to avoid this, you can soak your wadding in a bath of cool clean water and spin and air dry before use. This is my favorite quilt batting, and my preferred way to baste the layers together. When its smooth, reclamp both layers to the table. A set of long straight pins dedicated to quilt basting, that you will bend slightly in the center (I like these). Janet December 4, 2013 at 7:24 AM. Click here to get supplies: http://bit.ly/quiltbastingbasics . How to Baste a Quilt – The Easiest Method for Beginners. 4. I especially like to pin at … A pleat(s) would show up on the back of the quilt every single time I machine quilted any of my quilts by machine. As you can probably guess, planning how you’re going to quilt your quilt is just as important. I've made many quilts and have found this to be the best technique for keeping all the layers flat a… See more ideas about Basting a quilt, Basting, Quilts. Place the wadding on top of the wrong side of the backing fabric. Grab the quilt top, again with help, and place it on top of the other two layers, right side up. Your wadding needs to measure approximately 4” bigger than your quilt top on all edges. A backing member or first flexible member is operatively secured to the support surface and a second member disposed over the first flexible member. Do consider the impact of masking tape and safety pins on the surface you use. There are wider fabrics for backing quilts with widths of over 100”/ 300cm and these are usually found at quilting shops rather than general sewing shops. Below is the tape disaster I mentioned earlier that can happen if your tape is too thin. If you are new to quilting it can be hard to know where to start, and disappointing to finish a quilt only to notice the back is full of puckers and folds. Thread basting is the first method of sandwiching a quilt many quilters learn to use. Update (added 5/02/11) – I also added a basting alternative at the end of this tutorial, which explains how to baste without using pins. I strongly suspect that, by the time the layers would have dried enough to quilt, every roach beetle, and ant within a mile's radius would have come out of their hidey holes for a nibble… especially with the flour version :( It is almost impossible to preserve vintage books here because bugs eat the glue out of the bindings -- they are especially fond of the old glues made with flour. Basting a quilt is when you sandwich the quilt in three layers: the quilt top, batting and the backing. This is often used for hand quilting when pins can get in the way of a quilting hoop and is also good for small projects. Basting is a way to temporarily hold the three layers together while you ‘quilt’. Spray the wadding as before working in horizontal stripes of around 6-10” and carefully smoothing a section of the quilt top over the area just sprayed. Either use your fingers to close the pin or place the Kwik Klip tool so it meets tip of the emerging safety pin and use the pressure from the groove to press the pin closed. Quilting for Beginners: How to Baste Quilt Layers Together. The table I baste my quilts on is the large table in my studio, which is actually two of, If I plan to do alot of free motion quilting, the very best way I have found to secure the layers for that much quilting is to forego the pins and use. One of my least favorite parts of the quilting process is The quilt sandwich is made up of the quilt top, the batting, and the quilt's backing. There is also the option of using plastic tags. Smooth the layers together with your hands. Take time to centre it and smooth out all the wrinkles. We cover everything from stabilizing the edges when loading it to your frame…to earning extra money basting the quilt for hand quilters. It helps to have your wadding around the same size or very slightly smaller than the backing fabric. Basting simply means holding your layers of the quilt together temporarily. Lay the backing fabric right side on to the surface. I often use the safety pin basting method. If you can fit your quilt sandwich on a table, clamps are also … Cut plenty so you won’t have to stop and cut more. You quilt is ready to machine or hand quilt! Batting The layer in the middle of a quilt sandwich between the Top and Backing layers consisting of wool, polyester, blends, silk, or cotton. Tape the corners to the backing fabric/floor and add some tape at the side edges. Thread basting is the oldest method and the one your great-great-great grandmother probably used when she stitched those quilts of necessity. To pin baste the quilt layers: 1. This means you can lift a layer and reposition it … After the layers are held firmly, you can sew them permanently with a quilting machine. Add basting stitches 3 to 4" apart over the entire surface of the quilt top. 5. That was next level stuff that I didn't really understand. A Kwik Klip is a handle with a grooved brass tip that the pin slides into allowing you to apply pressure to close or open a pin without using your fingers directly! 2. I found that trying to get all the layers to lie flat for pinning and/or basting was difficult. 7. Place your quilt back on the table right side down, and smooth it out well. … First of all, it is very important that all three layers are smooth and wrinkle free. Thread Basting: hand-stitching the quilt layers together. Basting your quilt is the process of temporarily adhering your layers together so that it’s easy to sew your quilt layers together. This is just a personal preference, and if you like using them, you should. (We’ll … Basting is a way to temporarily hold the three layers together while you ‘quilt’. Following the directions on your temporary adhesive spray and starting at the fold where the wadding has been pulled back, lightly spray onto the first 6-10” of wadding in circular motions around 12” from the surface being sprayed. These are temporarily held together by safety pins, temporary adhesive spray or large tacking stitches and this part of the process of is known as basting. Manufacturers usually state how far apart the lines of quilting stitches need to be and some wadding is easier to hand quilt than others – all these factors will impact on your decision. From planning the quilt top, to planning which fabrics to use, to planning how to piece the fabric together… thinking things through is a critical part of quilting. 4. Perfect for sticking your quilt layers together without having to worry about your needle. Most people who spray baste do so with an aerosol like this one. See more ideas about quilting tips, basting a quilt… Continue as step 3 but with the other half of the wadding. There are no pins to interfere with hooping the quilt and threads can remain in the quilt for years (It took me four years to hand quilt a queen size quilt!) The main advantage of this method is that the adhesive is temporary and repositionable so if you need to lift and repostion the fabric, now is the time to do it! 5. Get your quilt top, batting, and backing and let's baste your quilt! I have tried this method a few times and quite enjoy it, but it can hurt your fingers! Iron the backing fabric and lay on the floor face down. Other ways of holding your quilt together include thread basting, which is tacking through the layers by hand using large stitches. This article was written by quilting author and blogger Kerry Green. Some people bring their iron down to the floor but do consider the heat of the iron on both the hard surface and the fibre content of your wadding – any polyester content will mean using a low temperatures or no iron at all! Feb 24, 2020 - Explore Lisa McCray's board "How To Put Quilt Layers Together/Quilt Sandwich", followed by 648 people on Pinterest. I use a wooden floor and use the boards to line up the side edges of the fabric. A Beginner’s Guide to Making Your Own Clothes. You need to baste these three layers together before doing the actual quilting. As you smooth it, use the spring clamps to hold it in place, pulling it taut as it smooths out, and adjusting the clamps as needed. Backing fabric – approximately 4” bigger than your quilt top on all edges, Quilt wadding – approximately 4” bigger than your quilt top on all edges, Masking or painter’s tape – low tack, 1½” wide, Kwik Klip tool or spoon to help fasten the pins. A method and apparatus for basting layers of flexible materials together such as for quilt making includes a spacing member, such as a grid, having openings therein is disposed on a support surface. How to Spray Baste Your Quilt 3 / 10 / 12 Once you have finished a quilt top, you need to make a quilt sandwich using the finished top, batting (for the middle) and backing fabric. Fold back half the quilt top as you did with the wadding. Cut squares from your craft foam roughly 1/2″ x 1/2″. For smaller quilts, the standard quilting fabric width of 110cm/44” may be wide enough but for larger quilts you will need to join two or more fabric lengths together. Tip: As with all products applied directly to fabric, I would recommend testing the spray on a sample of fabric and the wadding used in your quilt to check the adhesion and any other effects from using spray. There is also the option of using plastic tags. A temporary method of holding the quilt Sandwich layers together while you finish assembling it. There are no pins to interfere with hooping the quilt and threads can remain in the quilt for years (It took me four years to hand quilt a queen size quilt!) Tip: It helps to research your wadding choice thoroughly. Then you need to baste these layers together before you can start quilting. The backing was taped down to a table, or the floor for larger quilts. Other ways of holding your quilt together include thread basting, which is tacking through the layers by hand using large stitches. Favourite methods for basting quilts are a very personal thing and you may have to try different methods and variations to find one that suits you. After the layers are secured on a table or floor, they are stitched together with long basting stitches. Don’t pull at the batting , just smooth out creases. It seems tedious, but doing it carefully will result in a professional-looking finished project. As with many things in quilting, it’s down to personal preference and you may find it a great option for holding the layers together. Now is the time those curved basting pins come in handy! In this method, each layer of the quilt is secured to the table with binder clamps separately: first the backing, then the batting and finally the quilt top. You can read a detailed article on different waddings here. Blair Stocker talks about pin basting on a table top on her site. Basting spray glues the layers of a quilt together temporarily until you can quilt them together permanently with your sewing machine. Working on a floor is hard on the knees so have a small cushion to kneel on and wear thick socks to walk on and around your quilt. Toggle navigation. Repeat across the quilt, spacing your pins 4” apart and offsetting your rows as you baste to create a grid of pins. There are specialty *quilt basting guns that you can pick up at your local quilt shop that ‘tack’ down your 3 quilt layers with plastic tacks. The curved safety pins make this very easy. Superior Threads uses this definition for thread basting, “using thread allows for a tighter fit of the top fabric, batting, and backing fabric which results in a smoother quilt.” The advantages of thread basting are the smoothness, the gentleness, and the quickness of the method. Cut through the backing and wadding layers to free the quilt top from the surface. Tape the quilt backing down as in steps 1 and 2 of method one. 5. You are aiming to work in rows so it will feel like you are applying stripes of adhesive! I put pins every 4 inches or so (and fist’s width) apart, but in tricky areas I put as many as I need. I've made many quilts and have found this to be the best technique for keeping all the layers flat a… Beginning quilters, and even more experienced ones, can find this whole part of the process a bit daunting. Replies. With stitches about 2" long, baste the three layers together by stitching horizontal, then vertical lines through the center of the quilt sandwich to form quadrants on the quilt top. It is part of our Simple Sampler series which teaches you how to make a skill building sampler quilt. APQS Education Director Dawn Cavanaugh even shows you how to baste the quilt if you’re a sit-down machine quilter. The Mulberry Millie Upright Quilt Basting Frame. Neatly peel back the top half of the wadding to rest upon half of the quilt backing. As you smooth up to the edge where each clamp is, unclamp, pull the quilt batting and reclamp. I now Enjoy Basting my Quilts. Spray basting uses a temporary fixative to stick the three layers of quilting together. Starting from the center area of the quilt top, put a pin through all 3 layers, and cap the top with a square of the craft foam. Step 14. Assembling a Quilt: This is my technique for layering a finished quilt. You do not need to press the batting. A clean flat space, large enough for your quilt to be laid out and with enough space for you to comfortably walk around the edge of it . Place the wrong side of the quilt top on to the wadding layer. 2. I recommend pressing any seams on the quilt back open. It looks super cool, but I haven’t tried this one as I have Pips (my cat!) The adhesive is specially designed so you can reposition your fabric and shouldn’t gum up your machine needle. I do not like quilt basting- and I am referring to making the “quilt sandwich”. Quilts are big projects, and multiplying that by 3 layers equals a lot of fabric to handle. For an average sized quilt I can use as many as 200. Make sure it is straight and true with the other half. If the quilt is too small to clip all the edges to the table, use … Banish small children and pets from the area you are working in! This involves three layers: the quilt top, the wadding (or batting – US term) and the backing fabric. Quilt top – pressed. Just click on this link for a refresher on "Layering and Basting a Quilt". Iron the backing fabric and lay on the floor face down. The size of the surface depends on the size of your quilt—it should not fall off of the sides of a table or other flat area. To pin baste the quilt layers: ontinue as step 3 but with the other half of the wadding. Fold back half the quilt top as you did with the wadding. Place your quilt top right side up on top over batting and backing, allowing the extra backing and batting to extend beyond the quilt top on all sides to allow for any shifting during the quilting process (I allow 2 inches of extra batting and backing per side). Continue on the next 6-10” of wadding and repeat the process until you finish that half of the quilt. Thread basting uses long temporary stitches (sometimes done by hand and sometimes done with a longarm). Before you begin basting, press your quilt top and backing well, using smoothing spray or starch. Home; About Me; Make a Quilt. It holds your layers together while you get ready to sew your quilt. Clamp down all 4 sides of the quilt back to the table this way, using a few clips on each side. I like gluing as opposed to pinning. Baste the Quilt Sandwich to Hold Layers Together Basting is easy when you use the right tools and position your quilt sandwich on a surface that's at the right height and doesn't cause discomfort as you work. I began to think maybe I just didn’t have the patience necessary to baste the layers thoroughly. Use your hand to straighten the quilt top. First off, basting a quilt is the step after you finish piecing together your quilt top. You need to determine which quilting method you want to use prior to sitting down at the machine. When most people think of quilt basting, they picture the thread method that uses long, loose stitches to hold the three layers together securely. In this video, you’ll discover techniques for securing your quilt layers together on a longarm quilting machine. Pin basting must be done in sections–dependent on the size of the table. You need to baste these three layers together before doing the actual quilting. Basting simply means holding your layers of the quilt together temporarily. 1. Once you have worked out any wrinkles, take the whole sandwich over to your ironing board and press it together from the back of the quilt. Carefully roll up your quilt until you are ready to quilt it. I show techniques and examples with video and downloadable, clickable PDF documents. Painter’s tape I recommend pressing any seams on the quilt back open. Quilting 101- Batting and Basting You've finished your quilt top, what are the next steps? Starting on any side of the quilt, take an open pin and scoop it into the quilt, grabbing all three layers. The first quilt I ever made, I sent to a long-armer so I didn’t have to worry about basting it myself. A quilt wadding which is 100% cotton tends to drape well, is suitable for hand and machine quilting and is machine washable. When your quilt is basted- the three layers are held together- it is called a quilt sandwich :) There are three common ways to baste- thread basting, pin basting, and spray basting. If your quilt is larger than the table you will be basting on (mine always is), start by lining up one side/corner of the quilt and table, letting the excess fabric hang off of the opposite sides of the table. A basting gun is a gadget that is supposed to replace pins. Jul 13, 2016 - Explore patty_chastain's board "BASTING A QUILT" on Pinterest. 1. If basting a quilt feels too much work for you, I will be covering the quilt-as-you-go technique at the end of this series, which allows you to add wadding and backing fabric to each individual block and then join them together. &n Quilting FramesQuilting TipsQuilting TutorialsHand QuiltingMachine Quilting Place the quilt top over the wadding layer, making sure it is central and the edges are straight. Although pin basting takes time, I’ve found that it is time well spent. I’ve tried many methods for basting quilts and this gives me the best results as I know my fabrics are secure and flat for quilting. Smooth out the pieced quilt on top of the other two layers. TIP: Closing 150 or more safety pins whilst basting a quilt is hard on the fingers and a Kwik Klip is one of the best tools I’ve ever used in quilting: it protects your finger tips and is quick and efficient. The method is spray basting. This is a useful post to read about piecing a quilt back. In this video, you’ll discover techniques for securing your quilt layers together on a longarm quilting machine. (You could also use these metal clamps) Before you begin basting, press your quilt top and backing well, using smoothing spray or starch. ... Stacking and holding the three layers of a quilt together- the quilt top, the middle batting layer, and the quilt back- and getting them to stay together? Place the quilt top over the wadding layer, making sure it is central and the edges are straight. This is the most traditional form of basting, but it is probably the most rare today. 2. Spray the wadding as before working in horizontal stripes of around 6-10” and carefully smoothing a section of the quilt top over the area just sprayed. There are lots of different quilt waddings to choose from with a variety of thicknesses. Reply Delete. 6. A basting spray is designed to glue the different layers of a quilt together temporarily. The goal is for the fabric to be pulled smooth and free of excess fullness, but pulling it too tightly will cause the fabric to kind of “spring back” when the clamps are released, and you don’t want that. After basting over 40 quilts using this method, I decided to write up this tutorial for it, for anyone who may be interested. Basting a quilt is when you sandwich the quilt in three layers: the quilt top, batting and the backing. It's made of 12 inch white tile, and though a total pain in the rear-end for this old body, I do like the results. Carefully place the wadding that has just been sprayed on to the backing fabric, smoothing out with your fingers. A carpeted floor can work but you will need T-pins to secure the backing fabric and wadding to the carpet. Early on when I started quilting, I struggled with this process quite a bit. As I new quilter, years ago, I had questions. But spray basting isn’t perfect. I do this on my kitchen floor. Quilt top (see method one for preparation details), Basting spray e.g. Next, baste diagonally in both directions. I am so excited to bring this free class to you! Any questions let me know! Are you tired of kneeling on the floor to put your quilt layers together ? Assembling a Quilt: This is my technique for layering a finished quilt. You need a large space to baste the layers of a quilt together. Quilt Basting Spray is ready to be your new favorite notion, with 10oz of easily applicable adhesive. Happy … It helps to add extra pins along the outer edges. Pin the layers together. Odif 505 Temporary Spray Adhesive. The steps you take to make a quilt sandwich depend on the type of quilting (by hand or machine) that is planned for the project. In my own experience, they make larger holes in the fabric than I’m comfortable with. You will need a large well-ventilated space – it is harmful to breathe in and do consider that it also leaves a deposit on the floor which can be tricky to remove! Take an open curved safety pin and starting in the centre of the quilt, push through the top, wadding and backing and upwards to the top again. This process gives you secure, smooth layers and no pins to stick you (well, maybe a tiny stick here or there, but not many). Repeat at each corner ensuring that the fabric is flat and slightly taut but not distorted. Basting a quilt properly is key to a successful, professional, and pucker-free finished quilt. It could also be gently starched. I have tried many different methods and once I got a Kwik Klip and a generous quantity of curved safety pins I’ve found that the most reliable way to hold the layers together. 6. Here’s how to do it, 4 steps below! If your backing fabric has a directional print, consider which way to place the quilt top. in the house, and he’d be allllll over wanting to chew those little plastic bits. Next center and layer your patchwork. These replace pins and are pushed through the quilt layers using a gun style tool. These clamps– Spread it slowly and methodically. Make your quilt basting experience more enjoyable by owning one of these great frames!! Once the layers are secured to the table, the pinning commences! Continue reading to see how easy it is to get this job done! Jul 13, 2016 - Explore Patty Chastain's board "BASTING A QUILT" on Pinterest. A few sheets of thick craft foam Love this project called Cherry Pie. Once you are satisfied your backing is stable, next layer your batting (again cut 6"-8" inches bigger than your top) on the taped backing and smooth. This could be a hard floor or a large table. Flatter smoothing spray or some type of starch. The backing and the wadding should feel gently taut but not stretched out of shape. Peel off the remaining tape, wadding and backing fabric remnants. This can be conducted using Basting Sprays, pins, clips or temporary stitching called a Tacking Stitch or Basting Stitch. Early quilters used hand basting with thread and needle to keep all the layers together for quilting. This step is incredibly important to avoid puckering and fabric shifting when you go to sew the quilt. There are a few different basting methods out there for when you put together your “Quilt Sandwich”. All you have to do is load the tacks into the gun and then place the gun on your quilt area that needs basting and pull the trigger. The layers are secured together using a process known as basting. Continue adding tape around the edges of the fabric with gaps of around 4-6” between tape strips and keeping the edges straight and an even tension across the fabric. The method that we’ll show today literally works so well that you won’t even need a special walking foot for your sewing machine. 3. We cover everything from stabilizing the edges when loading it to your frame…to earning extra money basting the quilt for hand quilters. Basting your quilt is the process of temporarily adhering your layers together so that it’s easy to sew your quilt layers together. Next, add the batting layer on top. All you have to do is load the tacks into the gun and then place the gun on your quilt area that needs basting and pull the trigger. I really enjoyed reading through this book and I can’t wait to use it as a reference as I try to build my confidence in quilting larger projects on my own machine. Before any quilting begins, the fabric and batting layers must be basted together. You should be aiming for a light even coverage. First of all, it is very important that all three layers are smooth and wrinkle free. I've bought Roxanne's quilt basting glue, which is kind of expensive but works well. I typically use thread basting for small projects so I'm not going to talk about it here. When your quilt is basted- the three layers are held together- it is called a quilt sandwich :) There are three common ways to baste- thread basting, pin basting, and spray basting. Take some time to smooth out all 3 layers until it is nice and flat. I don’t care for those quilting pins, which are those safety pins with a bend in them that are made for quilting. Ensure all loose threads are trimmed otherwise they may show through lighter fabrics. This could be a hard floor or a large table. The most common methods, along with a brief explanation of each, are listed below. After the layers are secured on a table or floor, they are stitched together with long basting stitches. Extension pieces are sold in pairs for $19.95. You can radiate out from the centre, or work from the centre horizontally and then vertically in a cross formation and then work on each quarter of the quilt until the quilt is covered. If you are someone who is not fond of poking pins in the fabric, then this method is a great alternative. Carefully peel away the tape holding the wadding and backing fabric on one of the corners and slide large scissors underneath ensuring that the blades are at least 2” away from the quilt top edge. Spray baste is essentially a low-stick adhesive that you spray between the layers of your quilt to hold them together instead of using pins or thread. If you wish you could also add curved safety pins around the side edges for extra security. For a beginner, it is easiest to use quilting weight cotton as backing. Here’s how to do it, 4 steps below! The tape can be spaced out more generously than on the backing fabric. Try to use tape that is at least 2-inches thick. To hold the layers together.....pin baste your quilt sandwich together with safety pins. For years I basted my quilts with safety pins. Basting Butler is 100% made in the USA by Unhinged Creative. Pros: This method works best for hand quilting. This is often referred to as loft with low loft being thin and high loft being very thick. See more ideas about Basting a quilt, Basting, Quilts. talks about pin basting on a table top on her site, A carpeted floor can work but you will need. I think we all have been there at least once! Spray basting is another method and is quick to do. A well ventilated space large enough for your quilt to be laid out on the floor and with enough space for you to comfortably walk around. Easy to follow instructions for layering the quilt top, batting, and fabric backing to prepare the quilt for machine quilting. Continue until the quilt top covers the wadding. This is where the time spent on the backing and wadding in place will pay off; the tension of these layers should encourage the pin to push up and through to the top in a tent effect. Working on a floor is hard on the knees so have a small cushion to kneel on and wear thick socks to walk on and around your quilt. Do consider the impact of masking tape and safety pins on the surface you use. Pros: This method works best for hand quilting. Pin the quilt layers together as described in the section above on basting on the floor.