Wednesday, March 23, 2011

The Basting Never Stops!

Like a lot, if not most quilters, basting is my least favorite part of quilting. So it was with a heavy heart I decided for the second time this week to - gasp - baste!

I pulled out the sampler quilt I made last year for teaching a class and bit the bullet. I should make it clear that I DO know how to baste, I just don't like it!

Thankfully I already had the backing made and ready to go - everything just needed a good iron and to be layered.

Then I brought it all upstairs to the kitchen table, layered it up and it's still there waiting to be finished. Hey, it's late and I want to go to bed! The kids can eat breakfast on a blanket on the floor - I'll call it a picnic breakfast and they'll think that's way cooler than eating on the boring old table!

So quickly, (remember, I'm going to bed...) this is one way you can prep your layers. Just tape one side to the table using painter's tape. Then you can pull it from the other side to make sure it's nice and flat. You do this because there's nothing worse than basting an entire quilt, turning it over and having big wrinkles in the backing.


This should just take a couple of hours tomorrow to baste and then I can start the fun bit - the quilting!

3 comments:

Jan said...

I agree basting is the least favourite part and so my hubby can be bribed to do it for me. I am unable to walk much so he does it for a price. lol
:)

SO I'M Anna Fogg, an eclectic kinda gal said...

I basted 3 quilts in the last 2 weeks and I abhor basting just as much as you! It had to be done tho. I have a good 6 or 7 more I could baste at any moment. I use clamps vs the. Lue tape. They're $1 each at lowes or home depot. You need 6. Of course, I learned this from Pat Sloan. That quilt is gorgeous!!!

Shelley said...

Basting is oh so tedious. I am lucky to have a group of friends at my church that meet every Wednesday morning to sew, eat, and laugh. We all pitch in to baste each other's quilts, and with the big tables available it goes so much faster.

This sampler quilt of yours is fabulous! I love the bold colors and in-your-face prints. I can't stop thinking about this one and Venus de Hilo's recent blocks for the Palooza. Way to go!!