Now that you have finished basting the backing and batting, turn the entire piece over so the batting is on top. Roll/fold the piece up from the bottom just as you did when we started. See the basting rows?
Unroll the basted pieces on the table and smooth and flatten. Now lay your quilt top, RIGHT SIDE UP, being careful to line up the center creases. Smooth and flatten the top on the batting. Left side view (red pin is the center).
Nice FLAT AND SMOOTH. Start the top same as the back. Thread your first needle and start at the center crease, smoothing and flattening from the center, out and down. You will be basting through all three layers. My preferred quilting method is stitch-in-the-ditch, so I try not to stitch over seam lines. In this case, the midpoint on my quilt top is a seam line. I stitched over it, but the rest of the top was stitched between seams. You can't avoid them completely! The basting stitches on my tops tend to be closer than those on the back, depending on the piecing and design.
Continue basting the same as for the back. This quilt is a twin size, so the whole top fits on the table and the excess backing and batting drape over the sides. When you get to the bottom, simply snip off the threads leaving a tale. This is the front of the basted quilt sandwich. I hope you can see the red basting lines.
This is what the back looks like. Can you see the basting red (front) and green threads?
I hope you find this tutorial useful. I know not everybody will. This method works well for me and is so much easier on my body. The results speak for themselves.
Love from Liri
It sounds great to me! I use the island in my kitchen to do my basting so I can give this a try next time. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWonderful tutorial Liri , thanks so much , so many great photos !I will definitely be trying this method , thanks again .
ReplyDeleteI have used Sharon's method with the boards, but my boards aren't long enough for using on a full, queen or king size quilt. Your way seems better and makes it seem easier. Lately, I have spray basted, but that stuff is kind of pricey and sometimes I have had trouble with it gumming up the needle. I think I will give this a try next time. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI find your method very interesting. Much better than the crawling around on the floor method. Never would had thought to 'crease' down the center.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.
Carolyn Briese
I'll most likely try this on a small to mid-size quilt someday. It looks like it should work very well, and easier than the boards! ---"Love"
ReplyDeleteThanks for the rest of the tutorial. As always great pictures and directions. I will use this when I need to baste a quilt.
ReplyDeleteAll righty then. Time to finally baste the leaf quilt that has been waiting in line for what seems liike forever. Thanks for sharing your method.
ReplyDeleteI do something similar on my kitchen table, except I tape the backing and batting down and then baste all three at once. I do like the idea of pressing creases in everything first.
ReplyDeleteSandy
Hi Liri, Great tutorial. Anytime you can do mine for me. Connie204
ReplyDeleteHi Liri, thank you for the tutorial on basting a quilt...very much appreciated...Warm Regards, Lyn
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your gardening tip. I will definitely remember it. We haven't heard from you for a while. I hope it is because you are busy enjoying the summer.
ReplyDeleteSandy
Wonderful tutorial. You have taken a lot of time and care with your quilt.
ReplyDelete