Hand Quilting - Baste, Pin or Spray?

[Hannelore N.]

Is it OK to use the spray adhesive prior to hand quilting rather than pinning or basting the three layers :?:

[E.M. T.]

I do....but I'm careful not to use too much ! or it can give you a little resistance.
Make a little practice piece and try it out for yourself ! I like not working around pins on a frame.

[E.M. T.]

I've just done a small 9" x12" quilt which I spray basted, and I found that with curling over the edges to get to the middle, the layers de-laminated a bit, which meant that the top was puffier than I intended after the quilting was done, but I am quite pleased with the results after washing & blocking.

[E.M. T.]

Working in a hoop prob'ly would have eliminated that problem....

[E.M. T.]

Thanks so much to you both. I've just recently gotten back into quilting after a 30 year hiatus and am AMAZED at how EVERYTHING has changed. I definitely will try the spray. Thanks again!

[E.M. T.]

Working in a hoop prob'ly would have eliminated that problem....

Then why use the spray (if it is in a hoop)?

[E.M. T.]

Believe me.. the layers will creep..because the layers are not pulled tight
as you do with other needlework. You need some flex to get that quilting stitch.
(Your 9x12 was quite small and extra fabric is needed hooping...might not have worked out.)
Sticking that sandwich together really helps !

[Rita C.]

Call me crazy but I spray basted my wool quilt which is double bed sized and I am quilting it by hand (without a hoop or frame - I just sling it over the dining table). Now I did add pins every 8" or so as a belts and braces security thing but it has not shifted at all. I am using wool batting too which is just gorgeous and easy to stitch through. I love the 505 basting spray and have used it for all my quilts in the past year. I find pinning too hard on my thumb which has a little arthritis. And stitch basting takes too long. You just need to smooth it out well as you attach each layer. Patsy Thompson demo's how she does it in her classes in the classroom above. Welcome back to the fold.

[Rita C.]

I spray baste all sizes of quilts and if it is really big I might put safety pins around the outside edge because with hand quilting it is going to take me a while to get to that part. I do use a small frame for hand quilting and find that the spray basting is a real help.

[Rita C.]

Interesting, I will try without the hoop and see how it goes. I'm just quilting a baby quilt so it isn't too large. Definitely want to figure out machine quilting next. There is so much out there I want to do EVERYTHING! I'm totally obsessed and can't wait to retire at the end of this year so I can really go crazy! I'm glad I found TQS and have a place to ask questions and get some help. Thanks everyone.

[E.M. T.]

I'm not thinkin' that wool would move much anyway ! Sticky layers win ! I know there are quilters
who will not use hoop or frame and quilt in their lap...and some of that quilting is remarkable. I
know with my own arth. and multiple hand repairs...I'd have trouble . Thing I love about quilting is
that there is a method for everybody. You just find the thing that works for you. I
started out hand quilting and still love it the most ! and generally have one going along with other
projects all the time. When thread basting is in order I use Sharon Schambers' method .

[E.M. T.]

Thanks Marilyn, I will check it out.

[Rita C.]

Here's a link to Sharon Shambers basting technique:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhwNylePFAA

[Rita C.]

Thanks, Rita!

[E.M. T.]

Thanks, Rita !