October Tip

This is a fairly simple tip this month, to start you out on your holiday panics. I know and you know that there are way too many things to finish before you have to wrap them up and give them away. And basting takes time. Trust me on this one: I'm the original "baste a king sized quilt with straight pins cuz they take way less time than safety pins or thread" quilter. And my young daughter would yell at me for sticking pins in my mouth, and I kept saying "ouch!" when a pin would nick me (never on my finger -- usually my thigh or forearm, frequently my belly).
Then a few months ago we discussed using spray adhesive to baste the quilts. My blood was saved! The technique is fairly easy, but I'd like to toss in a few cautions here. (Can't help it -- it's the mom in me!)

• If you have just spent 2 years carefully recreating an 1873 Baltimore Album quilt by hand, PLEASE take the time to hand baste this precious item.
• Be sure you get acid-free adhesive. You can get it in the "scrap book" section of your local craft store, or you can get the same stuff at your quilt store.
• The long-term effects of this method on fabric life hasn't been tested.  The long term effects of this method on your lungs has. Do this outside, or at the very least, in a very well ventilated area. Even this lazy quilter heeds this advise.

Now, lay out your backing, right side down. Smooth out the batting on it, making sure all the lumps, creases, and folds are gone. Fold back one side of the batting and spray a light mist on the backing. Smooth it back down and do the same on the other side.
Next lay your top on this, right side up. Smooth it in place, then fold half back, spray, smooth, repeat with other side.

There ya go! A nice smooth basting job in about a tenth of the time. The best part is that when you machine quilt this, there will be no puckers on the back, because you've made all 3 layers into one. Pretty slick, huh?