Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Basting

Hands up if you love basting quilts. That's definitely not my favourite job. I've searched high and low for a method that saves my back and my knees and doesn't involve weird yoga like positions on the floor that cripples me for a couple of weeks and requires Chiropractic care.

A few years ago Mr Q built me this basting frame which I might add, can also double as a quilting frame if I so desire. At the time I thought it was brillaint but it had a major disadvantage. I won't go into great detail but the setting up of it and the rolling, unrolling needing two people  got to me.
I paid for the last big quilt to get basted but here the longarmers charge the same price as doing an all over quilting pattern and thats out of my range.

I have been wanting to try Sharon Schamber's method and so I spent an afternoon this Easter doing just that.
Here are the U Tube links so you can watch the videos.


 I had the slats of wood off the basting frame so it cost me nothing. It involves starching the backing, rolling that and the top on slats and as they get unrolled with the batting inbetween, you thread baste using a tailors tack stitch. I used the dining table and went surprisingly quickly. This method can be used if you intend to machine quilt or hand quilt.
I've used a new batting for this quilt. It's Quilters Dream Orient. It's a mix of cotton, silk and tencel which is a plant material.
My favourite batting is Quilters Dream Request, the thinnest 100% cotton batting. I was keen to compare the two. The Orient is super smooth and a thicker batt than the Request cotton but very soft and drapeable. I'd think it would be beautiful for machine quilting and big stitch hand quilting but not for fine traditional stitching.
The basting stitches are removed as you quilt which is a plus. I'm not sure how I'll go with the hand quilting though as it seems to me that the big stitches on the front may be finger catchers. I will let you know.
I had to think hard over whether I would hand quilt or machine quilt since I have so much on the go, it looked like machine quilting would win. That is until I pulled out these perle cottons. I'm a sucker for these varigated threads and big stitching, sigh.
In case you didn't know, the quilt being basted is the pattern from the Quilt Romance book by Kaffe Fassett and is shown on the cover.
We had to go to the mall today, which by the way I hate doing. I feel like malls suck the life blood out of me. Good thing is the threads I got and  the glasses Mr Q organised. The best part is having coffee and a macaroon at the Lindt chocolate Cafe and I had to get these blocks of chocolate. Look Amy! Look Cathy!
The Caramel is my new favourite and the sea salt has finally hit the shores of Australia.

54 comments:

antique quilter said...

those threads are just beautiful, oh my!!!!!!!!

oh gosh sea salt with the choc sounds sooo yummy!

Sujata Shah said...

Your quilts are beautiful!
I am going to visit the u-tube and check this out. Basting large quilts usually is what keeps me from finishing it myself and I run to the longarmer. but, it does get expensive!
And the Malls... let's not even go there!!!
:)

Unknown said...

Wow, I am surprised that the long armers there charge the same as an edge to edge. I definitely charge less for that. It doesn't take nearly as long to do. I also love the Quilter's Dream Orient. I have used it on several customer quilts and it has a wonderful hand to it. It also has bamboo in it. The first quilt picture you have, I recognize as a Piece O Cake design. I love it!! And I am anxiously awaiting the reveal of your Kaffe quilt!

Abby and Stephanie said...

Sitting on my hands--I no likey the basting! I normally send all large quilts out to be quilted otherwise I use my dining room table to baste. I have also gone to the local library and pushed the conference tables together and had a couple of friends help with basting larger quilts. That is one beauty you're working on.

PatchworkRose said...

I so love those threads. Looking forward to seeing the finished quilt :-)
Have Fun
Cheers
Lynne

FlourishingPalms said...

Thanks for sharing how you're approaching basting this lovely quilt top. Please continue to stay a step ahead of me in this hand quilting endeavor! I'm taking notes. In the next few months I'll be doing the same with a special quilt of my own.

From one Lindt-lover to another, Linda

Anita said...

Who likes basting?....not I! But I do love your quilt and the threads, and the colours. Just gorgeous. Kind regards, Anita.

Meredith said...

I loathe it, I put everything in my frame because it does not require basting, I hardly use my hoop any more. Have fun with the project and the threads. I actually like your frame because you can see most of the quilt which I think does have its advantages. I have not yet tried the batting type with plant material. Let us know how that goes.

Karen said...

I had previously watched Sharon Schamber's basting video but have not tried the method. Do you think you like it well enough to do it again?

Anonymous said...

Oooh! What did you think of Sharon Schamber's method for basting? I think she's amazingly creative and talented!

Those delicious threads will look magical in your quilt. Sashiko, big stitch style quilting will be yummy. ; )

Crispy said...

No basting for me, the thought of sewing something twice makes me run the other way!!!! I prefer using small safety pins and not very many of those either. I'm glad I'm not the only one who hates mall shopping, I haven't been to the mall in YEARS!!

Crispy

Jan said...

Your quilt is going to be gorgeous, Janet. Those variegated threads are enticing, aren't they?I'm going to have to check out those videos later...thanks for the links!
I've only been able to find the Sea Salt Lindt bar once but now it's on my permanent lookout list. ;-)

alobsiger said...

Dear Jan, Get thee to Target, woman! :-) Sorry, had to throw that in. Thanks for the basting video links. This may solve the mysteries of thread basting for me -- I pin baste, which is annoying and somewhat useless when quilting in a hoop. LOVE those threads. Yum yum! LOVE that chocolate. :-) Goes without waying, really.

Barb said...

Enjoyed your very informative post about basting...and the chocolates look yummy

Lori said...

I'm not a big fan of basting either, but its one of those necessary chores!!
I love the varigated thread!!!
And sea salt and chocolate:)

Shirley said...

Janet, thank you for the post on the basting. I have just watched it and think it is ingenious. I was dress trained and used to baste like that but when you quilt you get used to doing it differently - well, I am going back to it as it all made sense. I may get Bunny Hill put together this week. Good luck with the quilting. Have no doubt it will be beautiful.
Shirley.x

Nedra said...

Now I know why I don't baste, but send my quilts out to longarmers.
I have started working on Kaffe's Pickle Dish, too. The paper piecing is a lot of fun.

wishes, true and kind said...

I HATE basting! I off to You Tube to check out those videos. I'll be waiting to hear more. And the quilt is lovely, BTW :)

YankeeQuilter said...

I like using the frame to baste and inviting as many friends over as possible to take a few stitches....

I introduced the sea salt chocolate to my fellow guild members at my last quilt retreat. Last time I was buying some the manager at the local grocery store told me he was reordering them almost every week...guess the word is out!

Nanette Merrill said...

Both quilts in this post are so beautiful. You're fabulous, always. I'm going to be starting the Gypsy Kisses next week. LOVE it.

Unknown said...

I hate basting too - can't grovel around on the floor and no matter how much you hoover the dog hairs are still around. I found Sharon's technique on line ages ago and tried it out - love it - it works great for large pieces (as long as you have a wide enough table) as well as small pieces - I don't send off to longarm quilters as it's just WAY too EXPENSIVE and it saves you fighting with pins. There is no problem with the threads you just snip and pull them out as you go - it's just sorting out my FMQ skills on a domestic maching and stopping being afraid of 'destroying' a top that I've got to get over now ;-)

Sheri Howard said...

Love the quilts you are basting!! So pretty!

Thimbleanna said...

Hahaha -- did anyone raise their hands? Basting is in the priority list of things I like/dislike about quilting. Putting on borders has to be at the top of my dislike list.

This looks like a very interesting way to baste. We do the big frame set up and it is a lot of work. Although it's fun if you gather all your friends and everyone brings a quilt to baste and you make a day of it.

I can't WAIT to see you quilted quilt. Big stitches and that beautiful thread -- perfect. And you have a Lindt Chocolate Cafe??? Oh. My. Gosh. {Sigh}

imquilternity said...

Your quilt is going to be exquisite when it's finished. Especially with those gorgeous perle cottons. How long will it take? You must have so much patience...how wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to see your quilting on this one. The perle cotton big stitch will look "fun" - just like the quilt top!

Brandie said...

Oh that red and green quilt is amazing! Maybe someday I'll get around to that pattern, if everyone stops coming up with new pattern to tempt me.

Ginger Patches said...

I am going to go check out that link now...thank you!!

Jantine said...

I use the same basting method and stitches and never got my fingers tangled ;-) Or if I did, I got them out again and do not remember;-). Once your quilt is in your ring (if you use any ) you can remove the basting stitches from the area where you are working!

Unknown said...

I"m sorry, I might be asking the stupidest question but who is Mr. Q?

Thank you! :)

Anonymous said...

This post came at just the right time! I am getting ready to baste a quilt and was dreading it. I will definitely try this method and won't have to crawl around on the floor. I just looked at Kaffe Fassett's book last night and LOVE the pickle quilt. You are an inspiration to me.

Ramona

Cathi said...

Those threads are gorgeous -- no wonder you couldn't resist them! That basting method looks like a much better idea than crawling around on the floor!

Jenni said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Julia said...

Any easy way to baste is good..
thanks Janet.
and you've got me thinking...I have quite a few of those varigated threads I bought to crochet tiny hexagons...now they might just be used for hand quilting..
Your an inspiration Janet..
Julia ♥

Jenni said...

I use the kitchen table and some bulldog clips. Beats crawling around on the ground.

Ginny Worden said...

Thanks for sharing the links for hand basting, I think I will try it for the wall hanging I need to do. After seeing those lovely threads, and the quilt, I think hand quilting big stitch styler will make a beautiful statement, on some beautiful work. Keep us all in the loop.

MamaT said...

I haven't seen the sea salt chocolate before but it sounds like a winner. Since I'm a chocaholic and and saltaholic I'll be on the lookout for it.

Kim Brackett said...

Thanks so much for sharing the links for the basting videos. That's brilliant! I'm definitely going to give it a try. Love all the threads. And I'll be on the lookout for sea salt chocolate.

Deb said...

I have watched this technique several times..but wondered about a larger quilt. where did you lay it down with the boards being so long??
I may have to go to a store...mine is a King and I would like to do this method of basting.
Your threads are just gorgeous you are almost there.. so what design are you going to quilt on it?

Bonnie said...

I have liked basting, but it was such a hassle. Plus, I can get down of the floor, but getting up is another matter. After seeing Sharon Shamber's video on I am going to try it. Basting while sitting down, what a concept. Thanks for the link. Bonnie

Carrie P. said...

wow, that is pretty cool. I went to look at the video. thanks for sharing. I used her technique for the binding on one of my quilts.
You have inspired me to do some big stitch quilting too. I bought some threads for a quilt that I don't have the blocks together but it one I want to do this year.

Dixie Howard said...

Thanks for the links to the basting. I don't mind it really, but it takes so long to do... Got to try the sea salt chocolate - looks intriguing. We get ghirardelli chocolate out here - wonder if they have introduced sea salt yet. Shall have to see!

Ann Champion said...

I'm excited to see you're at the quilting stage on your Double Wedding Ring.
I use Sharon's board basting method but have switched to wider boards for big quilts so I don't have to wind the quilt top around as many times. I lay mine on a banquet table and push a card table next to it, if needed for the width. That method has worked great for me.
I can't imagine chocolate with salt?

Mary said...

This is the basting method I've used on my last few quilts including my large Circuit Rider quilt. The problem I had was finding a level place that's long enough but, other than that, I did like it.
Gwendie

Jennifer Blosser said...

Lovely quilts! Janet, you need to find a better longarmer girl! I would baste it for you but I'm a Yank so by the time you mailed it to me and I mailed it back, you'd probably be out more money than just doing it yourself. But if you ever come to Ohio, bring those tops and we'll baste!

LOL - My hubby is reading over my shoulder. He told me I needed to get a life! Doesn't he understand the need to have a quilt basted well?

Robin said...

Ugh. Basting is NOT my favorite thing either. I'll definitely be checking out those videos. I've not tried hand-basting before... since I machine quilt, I tend to always use pins. But basting that you can take out as you go sounds pretty nifty.

And, oh my... that Kaffe quilt is something else. I can't wait to see it with the variegated threads!

KaHolly said...

Does ANYONE like basting quilts? I certainly don't, but what I do love is all the tutorials on your blog....your blog in general! Did you know that someone came along and put the kabash on the tutorial for the scrap collecting basket? Anyway, thanks for having such a fun site to visit! ~karen

M and M plus 3 said...

I've used Sharon's basting method now for the last 3 projects I've hand quilted, although the projects were not bed size, I do love her way of basting much better than before. I don't find the threads to be in my way or finger catchers.

Sew Create It - Jane said...

I love the Sharon method of basting..I get set up on the dinning room table with a rolling office chair and roll back and forth the length as I stitch! Much better than crawling on the floor.

Love the quilt you basting..and the fabric you have used as a background..I would never have thought to use it as a background but it works really well.

Barb said...

Hi Janet!
I keep looking for that chocolate but haven't seen it yet in NJ.
I used variegated cotton to big stitch my hex quilt and i love the way it looks - good luck! luscious colors!

Anonymous said...

I think this is the best thing since sliced bread. I read those that loath basting but I feel the same way about pins. I don't know how many time I have split threads or left holes.

I have always felt when quilting or doing anything for that matter, preparation is 95% of anything going more quickly and looking better.
elli

Quilts And Pieces said...

I hate basting!

Cubby House Crafts said...

Just wanted to stop by and thankyou for your little purse tutorial...just finished making one today.
Thankyou so much
Lisa

Marit said...

Loved those basting tutorials - would like to test them out myself. Thank you for sharing!

; )

Anonymous said...

Bonjour
Just found your blog while browsing for inspiration and I have to say that your work is so fab that I have now trawled through and read everything right back to your first entry. Merci. A feast for the eyes and mine are now skelly as I have spent too much time reading and looking! Have a couple of wee questions which are too daft to put here so hope you will have the time to respond to my email.
Mo
linthouse at free dot fr (no blog, yet!)