Thank you's and basting advise please!

[WendyJ]

First of all I want to say thank you so much to APQS's Marc and Claudia Pfeil. They showed and thought me so much on tension last month that I am completely back on my feet and quilting my ..off, for customers too. I am actually making money quilting now! I know they read the post once in a while and I wanted to share my gratitude with you all.

Then I have a question left. Please pop in with an answer.

I've got the most lovely "antique" looking handmade quilt to bast I have ever seen ( I will post pictures later on). And it makes me a bit nervous.

When I baste I set my machine very slow in manual mode and make stitches going a 3 inches to the richt, 3 inches down, 3 to the right, 3 up and so on.

Now this quilt is full of handaplique and I'm thinking to baste it using the up/down button once and than move 3 inches and do it again and again. It seems time consuming but that way I can avoid a lot of holes in places I don't want to.

Is this a sound way of basting?

Has anyone have a better idea? Thank you!

[Quilting Heidi]

Wendy,

Yes needle up/down is more time consuming but I would much rather do it that way and stay away from the applique that might be more fragile. If you make your tension bad it will be easier for the person quilting it to get the basting out when they're done. One time when bad tension is better!

[sspingler]

You might also want to make your stitches about 1" rather than 3. It will hold in place better.

[LinneaMarie]

I also use Vanish Thread, or any other water soluble thread, top and bobbin. Works like a charm!!