What I learned this weekend.

[Joan@DebtofGratitude]

Hi friends,

I finished quilt # 7 this weekend. (I started quilting five months ago). I was so excited to try Jenny's binding technique this time. Someone posted about her binding tutorial this week and I took the time to watch it, and I was so excited to learn her trick for joining the ends. (I've been using my own improvised method that didn't work nearly as well.) Anyway, my binding came out perfect and I was so excited.

Also, this is the first time I've quilted a top this large (80"X 80") on my machine. It took some manhandling, but I did it. (Previously, I've only channel stitched, but today I tried a grid pattern). Anyway, on my last two projects, I used spray adhesive on my quilt sandwich and I had a terrible time with puckering and pleating. I got so frustrated. This time, I pinned only (no adhesive) and I had a much an easier time. I definitely won't be using the spray adhesive anymore. Also, I figured out that if I lift the quilt off the table just a bit as it approaches the walking foot, it does a much better job of easing in the excess fabric and eliminating pleats/puckers. My latest quilt isn't perfect, but there's very few pleats (which is a major breakthrough for me!).

Finally, I learned the seam ripper can be my friend. I have been loathe to re-do anything, but today I ripped out two partial rows of stitching in order to fix things -- and it's amazing how just a little fix can make all the difference.

I'll post photos tomorrow of the finished quilt. Then I ship it off on Tuesday to a friend.

[Lisapc]

That is wonderful and I can't wait to see it. Can I make one suggestion? When using the spray baste it really is much easier to bast your top to the batting and then flip over to do the backing to the batting. I never have any puckers with that method. I do when I try to pin.

To each his own but I wanted to offer you another way of doing it in case you wanted to give it one more try.

[Joan@DebtofGratitude]

That is wonderful and I can't wait to see it. Can I make one suggestion? When using the spray baste it really is much easier to bast your top to the batting and then flip over to do the backing to the batting. I never have any puckers with that method. I do when I try to pin.

To each his own but I wanted to offer you another way of doing it in case you wanted to give it one more try.

I did just the opposite . . . glued back to batting, then front to batting. I wonder if I used too much adhesive because I couldn't really smooth out all the wrinkles with my hands. I've been so worried about slippage, but I didn't have any trouble with the pins.

[bubba]

Thanks for that tip on the spray Lisa.....I'll be using some for the first time tomorrow and was not quite sure how to go about it!

[HdWench]

Way to go Joan!! Welcome to the best addiction on earth.

I would not continue to quilt if I had to pin or hand baste!! When I learned about spray basting, it became my best quilting friend. I lay the backing down and put pieces of painters blue tape on spots to keep it from shifting around. Then put the batting that's been folded in 1/4ths on the backing centered... spray lightly across one row in the center of the batting. Unfold the batting and press onto backing. Then I center the top and do the same thing working my way from center out, light spray onto batting and press the top flat, unfolding down onto the sandwich. After its sprayed, I roll mine up until I'm ready to quilt it. Rarely I have to re-spray... even huge quilts wrangling them underneath the harp, it may be an outside corner after all that scooching around that may come a bit unstuck - One can may last 4-5 quilts depending on their size - that may help you to hear how much, or rather how little to use. Really a little spray in spot across each row goes a long way!

You're on a roll and your friend is very lucky. Each new one will just get easier as you learn great tips like doing the binding.

[easyquilts]

Congratulations on your seventh quilt! Pictures, please!

I spray baste all of my quilts, and have no problems... The secret is in spraying sections, and making sure you have smoothed all of the wrinkles out..... Fortunately it is easy to position.

Smoothing both front and back is important.....and I usually let the spray basted quilt sit a bit, just to be on the safe side. I've never had a problem with shifting.

OTOH, ne of the great things about quilting, is that we each get to do things the way that works for us.... No Quilt Police!

[nana margaret]

You put me to shame, I've only made two double quilts in a year! The last one I also did a grid pattern and I found it helpful, if I thought it was in danger of puckering, to put pins in horizontally 1/2 - 1 inch apart from the line of stitching I was approaching back to the needle and this eases any excess fabric in. I haven't tried spray basting yet, mainly because I don't have an area suitable to do it so it's safety pins and crawling on the floor for me. I might be tempted to use it on something smaller though. Looking forward to the pictures and I agree - the binding tutorial is great!

[Alana]

I spray baste all the time. I really have a problem with shifting when I use pins. Go figure???? I think the spray baste is especially great for smaller projects too like runners and place mats. I do like to iron or press if you wish, the quilt after I have sandwiched it together. Seems to hold better for me. One thing I did find it that poly batting doesn't work as well with spray baste. I don't use poly very often but usually on baby quilts and small lap quilts. Pinning in that case seems a little easier for me.
But there are as many ways to do things as there are quilters. It's all about what's good for you.