I had the monster almost done when I discovered a wrinkle in the middle of it, darn, time to take out all those pins, smooth out the wrinkle and re-pin. I pin my quilts out, no matter what size they are, on a fold-able banquet table. This always involves pinning a portion and then carefully moving the quilt to pin the next section. I was taught many years ago to never pin a quilt out on carpet, because the pile alters how well the quilt sits. I don't have a nice large tiled floor, plus my knees and back just wouldn't allow it. Getting down, isn't a problem, but getting back up, well that's another story.... Picture a beached whale, and that's me.
How do you pin your quilts out? Do you have a nice large floor space and the knees to allow you to use this space, or do you also use a table. I'd love to hear how others pin their quilts ready for quilting.
Happy Stitching and thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
24 comments:
I pin on a table also--actually, unless it's a small quilt, I put two tables together so I don't have quite so much to move later. If I tried the carpet, my quilt would be pinned to the carpet! And I don't have a large enough linoleum or tiled floor to do one on--besides I'd scratch up the linoleum!
I pin on my table too - I do have a nice ceramic tile floor here - had linolium tile at my last place, but I like the results I get on my table since I use BIG binder clips to hold the layer taut.
I only pinned one quilt and I pinned it right to the carpet!!! It was awful! I thread baste all my quilts on my kitchen table with 2 leafs put in. I would loathe pinning too! I detest basting!
Pin? Spray Adhesive works great! or that little gun thingy with the plastic attachers (no clue what it's called).
I'm with Bren, I thread baste on my kitchen table. I used to use a spray baste, but I think I'll stick with thread from now on.
I don't pin! :-)
Pin and re-pin. aargh! not fun! When my body was younger (my mind still is!), I pinned on the dining room table --or verry carefully on a bed. But then, the back complained, so hubby bought me a tall cutting table with fold down leaves --still only about 38x59 inches extended. I used the large binder clamps on 2 sides and pinned and shifted. Then, I discovered spray adhesive! That really helped the thumb joints. After a few years, I found a used mid-arm quilting machine and frame. No more basting! Yay!
I pin on carpet, didn't realise it was a no-no (new quilter) I pin the backing to the carpet and then pin the thing together. I just finished pinning one last night sitting cross-legged on the floor to do so. At 36 weeks pregnant, my back is paying for it today...
Hi Linda !
I don't pin my quilts, as I can't machine quilt. When I have one to baste, I call 4 friends from my (ex) Bee, and we go to my covered porch, where I have a very big wooden table (3 yards long and 2 yards wide). Four of us are basting a quarter from the center (first diagonnally, and then as a grid, every 5 inch). The fifth lady threads the neddles checks everything, and makes coffee...
I once did the whole process by myself, and - yes- it was soooo boring ! But with the five of us together, chatting and laughing, it's always a very nice moment.
Hugs & smiles to you, Linda !
In my other house, I had a large sunroom (20x30)with a slate floor. I would tape the backing to the floor, then baste about every 6 inches in a grid. I usually had a sore knees(even though I used knee pads) and a sore back for days after. I have only basted a small one since living in this house. I did it in my kitchen. I have a peninsula that is about 6 ft. long. Works perfect for small quilts! I do sometimes use safety pins on small projects, but on larger ones I always baste. I prefer basting with thread....uses up my old thread!
Just read Nadine's comment. I want to go baste at Nadine's! It sounds like fun...and I like coffee.
Hi, I'm a hand quilter most of the time. I used to always go to the LQS and used their tables in the basement. If it was a large quilt I ended up sitting in the middle to reach it as I'm short 5'1. Then my DH suggested that I buy 2 -8' tables and put them up in the big room in the basement after he gave our DD his old lounge chair. It is perfect. Now I have a Juki to do some machine quilting and keep it up down there. Also good for quilting. I hate basting with pins for for machine it's the best way. Hand quilting I always use thread. Like the other gal said , good way to use up old thread.
I like to take my largest quilts to the machine quilter and then no pin needed. Smaller quilts I will do by taping to the hardwood floor and spreay with glue, I still need to pin around the edges to keep it all together.
Here are a couple suggestions -
Find a longarm quilter who will machine baste your quilts. Most longarmers will do this for a very reasonable price, saving you time and stress on your body.
Before I had a longarm I had a basting frame. It was made from 4, 1x2's to which I'd attached folded strips of canvas or muslin (or any fabric you have that you want to get rid of). I used C-clamps at the corners to hold it together and stood it on feet made from plywood. The nice thing about basting this way is that you stretch out the entire quilt at one time, baste all around the edges, and then roll it up so you don't have to struggle to stretch into the center of a large quilt. This method goes especially quickly if you have a couple quilty friends to help. This is the exact type of frame many of our foremothers quilted on. When not in use it's easy to store in a corner somewhere or under a bed because it breaks down completely when you are finished.
I use basting spray and hand-baste round the edges, and I do this crawling around on my knees on the floor. Then I leave it flat on the floor until I can get some lines of quilting in.
Congrats. on getting those UFO's done.
As you know I'm in no position to offer advice on quilting but I'm storing away all the answers to your question for future reference.
I don´t like basting either. For small quilts, I baste on the floor (wooden boards) and for bigger ones, I go to my quilt group when we meet once a month and push few tables together and baste with a help from the group. Then another one has a quilt to baste and I help then. To baste with others is much more fun and goes much quicker. Take care.
I agree with you - the basting of the quilt is the hardest part. I usually am on my pained knees on the floor, but sometimes I borrow one of the banquet tables at the quilt shop. I have been trying hard to befriend people who will help baste - I generally snag anybody who stops to visit! Sometimes I get the quilt recipient to help - so they can feel like they had a part of making a quilt. I was hoping for a helpful teenager who wanted to make some extra money - but my teenager isn't so helpful and isn't interested in money if she has to work for it!
I think a basting bee is in order!
I came to quilting just as spray adhesive became all the rage. I have thread basted a couple of quilts, but usually use the spray. If I had to fuss with those pins I don't think I would have kept quilting *s*
Oh I do agree on the pinning, it is boring. I use the floor and my knees and back, I tape it to the floor before i begin. I would much rather have a table to do it.
Basting on the carpet on my hands and knees. I use my cutting boards and sheets (for making countertops) underneath and just slide them along as I go. It's hard work, but it sure keeps my leg and back muscles flexible.
B is for basting and binding....my 2 boring tasks!!! I used to hand baste and then i discovered pins!!!....i use my Horn cabinet to baste (carefully moving it into postion) but its my least favorite task......spray (scares me)....im liking Nadines idea of a group basting session, with coffee lol
Well I didn't know that about carpet. I have berber does that count? Oh I normally pin on a hardwood floor anyway. BTW I have tagged you for a couple memes, check out my blog.
Oh, Linda! My sentiments exactly. If I get down on the floor, chances are I'm not coming back up in this century!
I use a banquet table as well if the quilt is manageable and pin using the curved pins and an old teaspoon. Makes it much easier on the ol' fingers. For larger quilts I use our shop's tables.
Nadine, however, has the right idea! It's a wonderful way to catch up with everyone and make pinning a more enjoyable task.
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