...and a question on machine basting....

[Lotti D.]

i use a very thin layer of spray baste to hold things together (on all sizes). then do straight lines with superior's vanish on my domestic machine to hold it proper.
i also use vanish for tacking bits and pieces on.
i can then quilt to my heart's delight without worrying about anything moving or getting cought in pins or basting thread. and when i'm done all the white basting/tacking/go there and stay there vanish thread disappears in the wash.

[Pamela O.]

Here is a link to Patsy Thompson's video on spray basting.learn/classrooms/
Libby Lehman spray bastes also. She presses afterwards.

[Pamela O.]

I have modified Patsy Thompson's spray baste method to help me center each layer accurately. I use a chalk line on the wrong side of both the top and backing to indicate the horizontal and vertical centers. I also use a chalk line to indicate the horizontal and vertical centers on both sides of the batting, this can be tricky, I use tailor's triangle chalk. Then I tape the backing smoothly to a wall. Smooth but not too taut. I fold the batting in half along the horizontal line and spray the exposed surface moderately, not too heavy. Error to the lighter side until you get a feel for it. I hold the batting with the folded edge up, sticky side away from me. Standing in front of the backing, I line up the vertical and horizontal chalk lines as I let the batting make contact with the backing. Begin to pat the batting from the center to the sides and from the horizontal line downward until the lower half of the batting is adhered. Then I spray the batting which will adhere to the upper half of the backing and pat it to the backing beginning from the center and the horizontal line and working upward and outward. Next, I spray the entire exposed side of the batting. I fold the quilt top in half, rst, so I can hold the folded edge up and approach the batting on the wall with the wrong side of the lower half of the quilt away from me. I align the horizontal and vertical centers and, as I did with the backing, I work from the center to the sides and from the fold line downward to pat the quilt top to the batting. When the lower half is secure, I begin on the upper half, starting at the center working outward and the fold line working upward. When I take the sandwich off of the wall, I lay it flat and check both sides for any lumps or folds but I don't usually find any. I take the sandwich to my domestic machine where I stitch in the ditch between blocks and between borders to further anchor everything. Then I do all my decorative quilting. So far I haven't had any trouble with the spray baste not holding everything very sufficiently. This has helped me to successfully baste quilts up to 110 x 96 without problems and to keep the layers all centered on each other. Of course, a helper(s) is always a plus making the process so much easier, but I usually end up doing it solo and I can handle large quilts since I'm really only working on one half at a time. Do be careful not to stretch the batting as you adhere it to the backing. I've read that spraying the batting is a key to not getting ripples in your backing and I do believe this is true. Best of luck no matter what method you use!