Today’s Topic: How to Baste a Quilt with Pins
Welcome to Week Eighteen of The Better Machine Quilt-a-long based on my book 25 Days to Better Machine Quilting.
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Good Morning, Quilters!
Before we get started, I want to share a really great Prime Day deal that I LOVE for quilting! I LOVE wearing AirPods-wireless headphones while I baste quilts and while I free motion quilt-they’ve been life changing! Because you are not tethered to your phone, you can walk around your sewing room (or clean the house, etc…) while listening to books, podcasts or music. I’ve never enjoyed listening while free motion quilting because it’s difficult to hear over the motor–but with ear phones–wireless earphones–I now enjoy free motion quilting while listening to books on tape! The AirPods I use are on sale today for a great price–so snap them up!
Back to our Regular Scheduled Programming LOL
There are several ways to baste a quilt. (Read: Four Ways to Baste a Quilt, Pros and Cons)
For small quilts, I prefer the quick Iron/Press Baste Method.
However, for quilts larger than a fat quarter, press basting is not enough to prevent the layers from shifting. It is better to spray or pin baste large quilts.
Spray Basting with Christa Watson
Spray basting is an excellent choice for machine quilting. This method is quick and no pins are required-which reduces the weight of the quilt, so I think it is worth trying. Christa Watson has several tutorials I recommend for spray basting.
Written Tutorial: How to Spray Baste a Quilt, Christa Watson
YouTube Tutorial: How to Spray Baste a Quilt, Christa Watson
And while you’re there, be sure to check out Christa’s amazing line of fabrics and patterns!
How to Baste a Quilt with Pins
I often use the safety pin basting method. In this method, each layer of the quilt is secured to the table with binder clamps separately: first the backing, then the batting and finally the quilt top. Once the layers are secured to the table, the pinning commences! Pin basting must be done in sections–dependent on the size of the table.
This is much easier and more fun when you have a friend to assist!!!
- Don’t be intimidated by the number of steps:
- Prepare the layers
- Gather supplies and set up the table
- Secure the layers separately
- Pin the layers,
- Shift as necessary
-
Quilt Layers: Pressed and Quartered
Step One-Prepare the layers
Batting: Begin by opening the batting package and unfolding it. Ideally, you should give the batting several hours to relax. Cut the batting 8-10 inches larger than the quilt top. Fold the batting into quarters by folding it in half lengthwise and then crosswise.
Backing: Press and starch the backing fabric. (Starching may help the quilt slide on the sewing surface as you FMQ.) Fold the backing in quarters, WRONG SIDES together.
Quilt Top: Press the quilt top. Fold the quilt top in quarters (fold in half lengthwise and then crosswise) with RIGHT SIDES together.
Now you have the three layers quartered. Backing–the right side is visible, Batting is quartered, Quilt top-wrong side is visible.
Set the layers aside.
STEP TWO-PREPARE THE TABLE/GATHER SUPPLIES
I often work on a banquet table or two banquet tables pushed together. (It is helpful to add risers to the table legs like these so you don’t have to bend over so far.)
Gather your supplies:
- Large Binder Clips,
- Size 2 safety pins, (Curved pins are nice, but not necessary)
- Masking or painter’s tape,
- Kwik-clip or a spoon
- Machine quilting gloves. (I wear a quilting glove on my right hand because it gets sore from pinning!)
Tape a coin in the center of the table. This allows you to feel where to position each of the layers.
Step Three-secure the Backing to the table
Place the folded corner of the backing on the coin and open up the backing on the table. Allow the backing to drape over the table as necessary.
Starting along one of the folded lines, use binder clips to secure the quilt to the table top.
Work from the center out to secure the backing. The fabric should be quite tight.
Double check that the WRONG SIDE of the backing is facing upward. (Don’t ask me…..)
Step Four-Position and Secure the Batting Layer
Place the folded corner of the batting on the coin. (You will feel it, though you can’t see it!)
Unfold the batting on top of the backing fabric.
Starting from the center of the table edge, reach under the batting to remove one clip at a time, and replacing it on top of both the batting and backing layers.
STEP FIVE-POSITION AND SECURE THE QUILT TOP
Next, place the folded corner of the quilt top on the coin. (Feel it through the two layers.) Unfold the quilt top on the batting layer.
Starting in the center of the table edge, remove one clip at a time, replacing the clip on all three layers.
Smooth the quilt top as you move toward the edges.
Step Six-Safety Pin the Layers
Pin the layers together using safety pins. The pins may be as far as five to six inches apart. Use the size of your open hand as a guide-the pins should be a hand’s width apart. (Too close and they are annoying while quilting–too far and the layers might shift.)
Use a Kwik-clip or the back of the spoon in your non-dominant hand to lift the point of the safety pin and push it into the clasp. I like to wear machine quilting gloves on my dominant hand as it gets roughed up a bit while pinning a large quilt.
STEP SEVEN-SHIFT THE QUILT
Once this area of the quilt is pinned, shift the quilt to complete the sections that are draped off the edges of the table.
Release all of the binder clips from the edges of the table.
Shift the quilt to the right or left.
Using binding clips, attach the side of the quilt that is pinned to the edge of the table.
Expose the quilt layers and secure the layers one by one to the table as described above.
Use safety pins to baste the layers.
step eight-continue shifting the quilt
Depending on the size of the quilt, you may have to shift the quilt several times to complete all the sections.
If the quilt is too small to Clamp
If your quilt is too small to use binder clips on the edge, tape the quilt to the table using masking tape.
Whenever possible, use the binder clips on two edges by placing the quilt in the corner of the table, and then use tape on the remaining edges. The binder clips are faster to use than tape.
Quilt Basting Essential Points
Press the backing and the quilt top to remove wrinkles and creases. You can’t “quilt-out” wrinkles!
Secure each layer of the quilt before adding the next layer. This ensures that all of the layers are smooth before the next layer is added.
Add extra pins along the edges of the quilt to prevent the backing from folding over on itself while quilting.
Quilt basting is easier with a friend, but it can be done alone-so don’t let that be an excuse for not basting.
The BEST Part of Quilt Basting….
Treat yourself to a pair of wireless AirPods while you pin and quilt. (I can’t say enough how much I love them for quilting and cleaning and walking–no cord to tether you to your phone!)
and keep reminding yourself that you will have a canvas ready for motifs!!!!
Happy Basting!
Lori
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy Quilts and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to LKQ. For all other purposes, please contact me at Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts.com. Thank you!
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25 comments
Kathie Banks
Hi Lori…your pin basing method is almost exactly what I do. Instead of a coin, I mark the center of my table by taping skewers in an X. I also use them in the center of each side of the table to keep things square. My pin pusher is a grapefruit spoon with jagged edges that keep the pin in place as I push them closed. I’ve found that a rubber fingertip found in office supply stores keep my fingers from hurting as I push pins through the layers. When my quilt is too small to clip on all sides, I add clip on hangers to the ends of the quilt that hang off the table opposite of the one edge that’s clipped. The weight keeps the layers taut as I work. It’s amazing to see how many tricks we can come up with for very little expense.
Charlene Arbogast
I have always pin basted, but your tutorial makes the process seem so much simpler and logical. I can’t wait to try all of your hints and tips, but I am in between quilts right now.
Linda Neubauer
This has all been fascinating,I’ve learned so much reading yesterday and today’s lessons. Years ago I learned Sharon Schamber’s method for layering a quilt using boards from the hardware store. That still works for me sometimes. I prefer her method of hand basting over safety pins but I love all the great suggestions. Thanks so much Lori and everyone else for the great inspiration!!
Tena D
My method is almost the same, but I use a button instead of a coin. I also use wooden skewers cut in half and tape them to the centers of the sides of the table. They help me align the layers squarely. Also, I like the little plastic pieces you can snap on the back of your safety pins. Much easier on the hands?
Suzanne
I’ll stick with spray basting and the 20mm basting stitches my machine will make. With my walking foot it does a great job. On the other hand, I wish I’d known about the penny trick a long time ago! Thank you so much!
Brenda Sierdsma
Instead of a coin, I have taped toothpicks at center, pointing top to bottom and side to side and at center edges on all four sides of my pinning table. You can feel the toothpicks through the fabrics. It really helps to keep everything, straight, squared and even. The rest of your steps are great and how I do it as well with good success. Of all the quilting steps, basting is my least favorite, but necessary for good results in the end. I do spray baste baby size ir wall hanging sizes with good results also. Thank you for sharing so much helpful instruction.
Sandra Robertson
A tip I use on the batting is to spritz it with water on both sides and put it in the dryer for a few minutes. Takes the wrinkles out like magic!!
Lynn B
You can also spritz and smooth it out on a bed and leave it over night.
Gwyned
Never thought of using a taped coin to determine the quilt center. Brilliant!
Sue
I meant to say basting!!!
Sue
Lori, Thanks for these binding tutorials. I absolutely detest basting! But airpods sure help.:) I’ve be lost w/o mine. I was tempted to buy another set but I didn’t. Mine are only a few months old.
dmearls2015
I have not learned about the right side/wrong side of batting. Please explain.
kate b
The new Clover Wonder Pins have really proved themselves so far…just wish they were
bigger. I do like the Sulky KK2000 spray to baste…it is safe to use indoors too.
Janet Licari
Nice articles on basting. I like that quilts are easier to baste using a longarm. You can set the stitch from 1/4″ and longer…big choice and use a color that shows easily. You can rent time at a local quilt shop that has machines or you could have it done by a local longarmer. Easily removed. Please give this option a try!
Anne in BC
Do you pay attention to the top/right and back/wrong side of the batting?
Edy
What kind of binder clips are you using? All of my tables are a little over 1” thick. Add a quilt and I’d need clips with at least 1.5” capacity.
Lori Ptak
I found some big plastic clamps at the dollar store that work really well.
Arvilla Trag
You may be better off with spring clamps. I find them easier to open than binder clips (arthritis) and they come in large enough sizes to accommodate your table size. Amazon has then at a pretty reasonable price; I just got a pack of 20 small clamps for $11.
Lynn B
Thanks! I ordered some too!
Edy
Thanks! Ordered some!
Judy S
Thank you for the suggestion. I found them on Amazon and they look like exactly what I need!
Shelly
I must admit, pin basting killed my confidence in FMQ. My results were so poor, that I abandoned the project and it was quite some time before I even considered quilting a project myself. Then I came across Christa Watsons spray basting method. I was certainly a game changer for me. Now a few years later and having quilted quite a few throw size quilts, I am taking a fresh look at my long abandoned project, and guess what? It is not nearly as bad as I remembered, and I will finish it some day. But will I return to pin basting, no. I’m loving the results when I spray baste. I’m so glad to have found the method that works for me!
Arvilla Trag
I don’t have Air Pods, but I do have Alexa in my sewing room. Depending on the task being performed, I vary from Pink Floyd (free motion) to Jamie Dupuis (piecing) to Loreena McKennet (cutting) to Spanish guitar (binding). With a soupcon of Jefferson Airplane (sandwiching). Music makes everything go better, and covers up my commentary on difficulties (read: swearing). So I have a question for the quilters out there – what kind of music do you like to listen to when quilting?
Kim
Ooooo! My husband just gave me AirPods and I was thinking “What am I going to do with these?” Well now you’ve given me a brilliant idea! Thanks Lori!
Kathy Nyquist
I have pin-basted many quilts, but none will be done so well as the one I’m doing today – thanks to your excellent instructions! Taping a coin to the center of the table is genius!
This class is amazing – thank you , Lori!
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