Basting is likely my LEAST favorite part of the quilting process. If I understand correctly, I seem to be in good company among other quilters. It’s a bit of a cumbersome task, and it must be done well to ensure good quilting.
Late last year, I was basting a huge quilt. I was as careful and as thorough as I knew to be. I had made a big Takes the Cake quilt for my sister for Christmas. Once I started my straight line quilting, my fabric was shifting and rippling. I kept quilting knowing that many a mistakes in a quilt are erased after a trip through the washer and dryer. After almost 15 passes down the quilt, I quit. In utmost frustration, I told my husband he needed to help me rip out all the quilting.
Needless to say, it wasn’t one of my happiest moments in my quilting life.
Yesterday I basted a 70 inch by 70 inch quilt. The basting process was smooth and efficient. I’m ninety percent done with the straight line quilting, and I haven’t encountered a challenge yet with puckering or tugging because of poor basting.
How do I baste these large quilts?
1. First off, if you have a friend or spouse willing to help you, take them up on their offer. Basting a large quilt is cumbersome and requires moving around and straightening lots of fabric.
2. Find the largest solid surface floor in your home. Move out all the furniture. Sweep the floor and then mop the floor. This is why I procrastinate on basting my large quilts. I have to move out our kitchen table and chairs and thoroughly clean the floor. Believe me, though, it’s worth it. And don’t ever try basting a quilt on carpet. (I did, and I ended up re-basting that quilt.) I have come across a few tutorials for basting on the kitchen table, but I have never tried that yet with a quilt this large.
Below is a picture of a scrappy backing of my favorite ever vintage sheet quilt.
3. Once you are positively sure that your quilt backing is quite a bit larger than your quilt, lay it smooth and flat on the floor. This usually requires me crawling around on my hands and knees smoothing out as many crinkles and ripples as possible. It’s helpful to have my husband gently tugging on corners to spread out the fabric as well.
4. Then we tape down the edges with masking tape. We sporadically place three or four inch pieces of tape around the perimeter of the backing. This keeps it nice and straight.
5. Next I unroll my batting and cut it just a bit smaller than my backing.
Side note regarding rolls of batting: For the last couple years, I have always bought HUGE rolls of batting and stored those rolls in my master closet. I like always having it on hand. I have decided, though, that once this one is gone, it will likely be my last roll. They are big and hard to manage, and they take up a lot of storage space. If I remember correctly, Brittany, from Lo and Behold Stitchery calculated up that there is very little cost difference in buying the rolls verses packaged batting. This confirmed my decision.
My favorite batting? Warm & Natural Batting.
6. After cutting my batting from the roll and smoothing it out, I lay the quilt top on top. This is so much easier if you have someone helping. Once the quilt top hits the batting, it’s hard to shift it and move it around. And once again, you’ll find me crawling around on my knees smoothing out the top as best as I can.
7. Next comes the basting spray. I was a loyal pin baster for a lot of years but have made the switch to basting spray. I have so much LESS trouble with puckering and shifting fabric if I use the spray. I fold back half of the quilt top and batting (the quilt top is laying on top of the batting at this point). Then I spray an ample amount of spray baste down. I crawl back onto the other half without the glue and slowly slowly slowly smooth the quilt working from the middle to the outside. Spray baste is a bit forgiving. If I find a ripple, I can pull it back apart and re-smooth the batting.
I use this same process on the other side of the quilt.
Then I repeat this process pulling back just the quilt top. I pull back half of the quilt top spraying the glue onto the batting. I slowly fold the quilt top back smooth from the middle working my way out.
You can see above where I had pulled back the quilt top. I had sprayed the basting spray onto the batting. Now I’m slowly pushing and smoothing out the quilt top. I’m essentially rubbing my hand flat on the quilt top as I slowly adhere it back to the batting.
Here’s another picture.
8. Once all three layers are basted well, I trim around the outside. I always leave a couple inches of excess batting and backing.
I roll up the sides and head to my sewing machine for some simple straight line quilting. Like I alluded to above, the basting spray has made my quilting so much easier. The basting spray essentially glues the fabrics together. It’s not going to shift or pucker at all the seams since it stays so flat.
I say this, though, and I know some quilters who use pins. They have no trouble at all using pins. I have not perfected that art obviously. If basting spray is something that is too expensive for using, don’t throw out the idea of using pins! They are definitely still a good option.
I haven’t tried out a lot of basting sprays, but I have used this brand repeatedly and haven’t run into trouble yet. Usually I am able to baste at least two quilts with one bottle.
I encourage you to give it a try if you’ve found yourself frustrated with pin basting.
Any tips you can offer for me? If you have a good way of basting quilts that doesn’t require crawling around on my hands and knees after mopping a floor, be sure to let me know!
Yikes, this sounds a nightmare! I’ve basted over a table for years, including larger quilts than this. You need binder clips, and you fold the quilt in four and mark the centres (one in the very centre, and then the centre of each edge) first. You use safety pins to mark the centres on the top and back, making sure you pin from the right side, and then pen for marking the batting. That allows you to get it all lined up neatly, as you’re basting in sections. Baste a section, then undo the clips and slide the quilt along until just a bit of the basted action is left on the table, smooth it all out, reclip, and baste again. There’s a video on YouTube of someone doing this with basting spray. I do it with thread basting. My dining table is a bit thick for clips, and thread or pin basting will scratch a table, so I found a very large cardboard box, and use that folded flat on top of the table. As well as how it’s way quicker and easier, the tension ends up much better than if you were taping edges to the floor.
Well you’ve convinced me. I’m going to try spray basting my next quilt after pinning the last one, without getting down on my hands and knees, just bending over. My gluteus maximus and hamstrings were screaming for 3 or 4 days. 🙂 And I am just getting into quilting vintage sheets, I’m always late to the party.
Lol, I hope the spray basting makes it easier for you too! And I think vintage sheets are still beautiful. The party is going strong still. 🙂
Hah, I don’t even bend over, I do it sitting down! This one I’m linking to is fairly typical for me. If the width of the quilt is larger than the table, you can clip it on all four sides. I’m severely disabled, I couldn’t possibly crawl on the floor these days.
https://www.instagram.com/p/COaI_hGncRt/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ
And here’s a video of someone spray basting a quilt on a table, when the quilt is larger than the table all around. It does look like she’s standing, but then it’s a much quicker job than thread basting.
https://youtu.be/XPaIzuoY6Bg
Also a lot of people like wrapping the layers around pool noodles, that’s a popular one.
My Granddaughter and I are going to attempt our first tee shirt quilt. I am a beginner quilter so appreciate any help and hints we can gather. I have really enjoyed all of the information gathered on your blog. Will definitely be using some of them. Thank you so much.
Hi Yvonne, good for you guys! T-shirt quilts? I’ve never made one, but here’s what I’d recommend. T-shirts are typically made from a jersey knit fabric. That gets tricky to sew with because the sides roll in and it shifts easily. I know many quilters iron on an interfacing to the backs of the t-shirt block before sewing. This will stabilize the fabric a bit. I also know using a ball point needle is recommended for sewing with jersey knit.
Those are my two tips. Be sure to keep reading a bit from others who are more experienced with t-shirt quilts!
Hi. Where did you find that fabric? I swear I had sheets like one of them when I was a kid in the 70’s. Love the fabrics.
Hi Debbie, I stop in at thrift stores every now and then. Sometimes I purchase off of Ebay and other times off of vendors on Instagram. I slowly collect when I find sheets in great condition.
Here are two posts where I elaborate a lot more:
https://www.thewillowmarket.com/where-am-i-currently-buying-vintage-sheets/
https://www.thewillowmarket.com/how-to-use-my-vintage-sheets/
Hopefully that’s helpful!
I would hold a piece of cardboard along the edges to prevent overspray on the floor. I’d just move it along the edge. Thank you everyone for all these wonderful ideas!
Thanks Mary for your tip! I find so much residue on our floors even weeks after spraying.
Beware!!! The June Tailor spray has had a change in formulas and as I ran out of the old spray, I used the new on half my quilt. After quilting half (it was the old spray side) my needle kept skipping stitches on the second half. I experimented and found it was the spray causing the problem. I also then examined the cans and found the new can DID NOT SAY will not gum needle, like the old can did. I called the company and said due tonEPA they had to change formula. They have had complaints and are working on the formula again. But she said it would be several weeks. Meantime, I basted the edges of my quilt and washed it, to try to get rid of the spray. Sadly it did not work and I still couldn’t get stitches without skips. I was advised to try to let it sit for several weeks to see if the solvent would dissipate. So very maddening😬. 9/8/19
I agree there has been some change in the June Taylor spray. I recently bought 2 cans. Both can’s “sprayer” gummed up and we can not get them open again. The needle on my machine and also the needle for hand quilting had to be cleaned repeatedly. Also it does not wash out anymore. The can said to clean with rubbing alcohol but that did not remove the residue of glue I accidentally got on a scarf. I am changing brands after having used June Taylor for over 20 years.
Great ideas. I hand quilt all but bed size quilts. Would the spray basting work if I hand quilt?
Hi Jean, I’ve been spending lots of time hand quilting, and I spray baste all my projects right now. It doesn’t not affect the way I hand quilt. If I come to a spot where the spray baste has been put on a bit too thick, I can feel the needle hesitate a bit, but it doesn’t cause any frustration. I can just tell there’s a bit of gummy baste in there.
I have been making blankets for 30 years. I refused to “quilt” because it seemed to be just too hard. I just did my own thing. I have had so much trouble with basting. I have done it the old fashioned way and only one of my blankets came out to my satisfaction. Last year for Christmas I made 4 blankets and I used the basting spray! It was as true Christmas miracle! My blankets were smooth with no puckering or shifting. It was crazy how happy I was. I didn’t know about nesting seams either but after looking at your blog I am going to try it. Thanks for all of your ideas!
Basting spray is a dream come true, isn’t it! I completely understand the puckers after so much hard work and time. Good luck with nesting seams, Michelle!
I absolutely love your vintage sheet quilt….well, actually all of your quilts! I’m so drawn to the color combos you use. They are so cheery and calm at the same time.
My least favorite part of quilting is definitely cutting fabric! I used to really dislike basting as well, with all the crawling around on the floor and sticky, messy, stinky basting spray….bleh! Since I have become an Elmer’s Washable School Glue basting convert, I almost can enjoy the basting process! The glue method works beautifully and no crawling around on the floor anymore!
Hi Heidi, you must enlighten me on what this basting process is! Please share. Elmer’s Washable Glue and no crawling around. Hhmm…
Yes! I would like to know this process as well since I have two quilt sandwiches that I will make this week!
Please share your basting method with us.
I use swim noodles whenI baste. There are tutorials I’m quite sure on Pinterest. You roll batting on one, quilt top on one, and backing on the other. Then you put the noodles side by side and spray small sections at a time as you unroll them. For my big quilts, I tape two noodles together to my one long one. This uses 6 total noodles for large quilts. Dollar tree to the rescue. You can do this method on floor or table. Easy Peasy!
Oooooooh, this is great to hear, Lorri! I’ve never tried the swim noodle method, but I’ll try just about anything to avoid crawling around on a tile floor on my knees. 😉
I’m an old experienced quilter, not able to crawl around on the floor. I have a large island in my kitchen and I work on the quilt from the middle. With the help of the Hubs, we manage to work out from the center, centering and smoothing the quilt sandwich. We baste with a gun baster similar to what stores use to place price tags on garments. I bought one that uses very small plastic ammo, and I place one about every four inches. Then I longarm or machine quilt or do free motion and sew right over them. For me it gives a nice comfortable quilt sandwich that is flexible and I feel confident it’s staying together. No more pins of any kind for my old arthritic hands!! I’m much happier with this method. Taking out the little plastics is a simple task. Even an old gal like me can find new things!
Hi Patty! Wow! I had no idea a basting gun even existed. Thanks for offering your insight and expertise. I’m glad you have a husband willing to help baste. It’s so much easier for me when I have a second helping hand. It sounds like you’ve made lots of beautiful quilts in your day!
My tip would be: get up off the floor !!! Save your back and knees. Most community halls and church dining halls have long big tables. That’s what I use in winter. I am lucky in that I have 3 of those tables myself, so in summer time I sit them out in the garden on bed risers and when all three are there I can baste a queen size quilt with ease. Use your long ruler to smooth out the center (just wipe the ruler across). When you have 1/3 of the quilt pinned or spray basted, remove one table and do the other 2/3s. Happy quilting !!
Well isn’t that a great tip! Pushing three tables together…you’re a genius. Seriously, that would be so much more pleasant than crawling around on the floor. Thank you for sharing your insight and experience!
I use the same method, but I do baste on my carpet. I have a heavy (crappy :)industrial carpet that i rolll out in my work space that holds onto the batting really well so I don’t need to tape it down. I lay out the batting and then baste the back, flip the whole thing and baste the front to the batting. Then I roll up my carpet piece. Works well for me and I don’t have to tape. If you you have a storage issue it probably won’t work to store carpet 🙂
Well how convenient is that, Amanda! Thanks for the tip and insight. That’d be great to have something like that rolled up that I could even use outside or something instead of mopping and moving furniture every time I need to baste.
Do you baste spray the backing to the batting first?
Hi Cherie, I have always done the backing first. I tape the backing to the floor and then lay the batting on top of that. I spray the backing first and adhere it to the batting. Then I do the quilt top second. I’m not sure if there would be any repercussions to spraying a quilt top first, but I’ve never tried it that way.
Have you tried it the other way?
You answered my question. Excellent. Thanks for sharing your quilting experience! Very helpful!
You are very welcome! 🙂
Hi, I also spray baste, but I always spray the batting and then smooth that down to the bottom fabric, then I repeat – spraying the batting again, but this time smoothing the top fabric. My friend and I baste together at a local church (we lay old doors over the pews, which work really well!)
Thanks xx
Sharon, how nice it must be to have a friend to keep you company during the basting process. Sounds like you two have a good rhythm figured out! Thanks for another tip and some insight on how to avoid crawling around on the floor. 🙂
Does the spray baste get on your floors when you apply it? I haven’t tried spray basting yet because I don’t want to ruin any of the surfaces in my house.
Hi Melissa, there is overspray. I wouldn’t say it’s a lot, and it’s never been an ordeal for us. We have always spray basted on a tile floor, though. We don’t have wood so I’m not sure if it would gum up more on the wood.
If I’m wearing socks when I spray baste, I remember feeling the bit of sticky on the bottom of my socks from walking around while basting.
We have a simple Norwex mop that we’ve use with water to wipe up any overspray, and we haven’t noticed any stubborn residue.
I put a flannel sheet on the floor to protect it from the overspray.Then put my quilt on top of the sheet .
I put a flannel sheet on the floor to protect it from the overspray.Then put my quilt on top of the sheet .
Great tip Elizabeth! I’ll have to give that a try. I am always mopping after I spray baste.
I swear by Elmers Washable School Glue. Dilute it with water by about half in a clean spray bottle until it is thin enough that you can spray it. The process is the same, just use the Elmers where you used the basting spray. After the glue dries baste and quilt as usual or wait till later. With most basting spray you have to quilt within 3 days, with Elmers you can take your time and quilt it whenever. It doesn’t gum up your machine or needle and it washes out completely. Try it, you’ll like it.
Oh Rosemary, thank you for your tip and insight! I had no idea there was another option beyond spray basting. This would likely be much less expensive too. I will have to try this out for sure!
Wow! Thank you. I am a novice quilter who has now made 3 large quits using pin basting. There are always puckers that I’ve learned to accept. Now I can’t wait to try your method on the next one.
Hi Bev, I’m hopeful for you! I pin basted for a lot of years because I didn’t really understand what basting spray was. Even though it costs a bit of extra money, it has been totally worth it for me. It really has eliminated so much puckering and gathering and shifting. Let me know if it works well for you too!