Basting Quilt

[Starla]

My customer wants me to baste her quilt for her so she can hand quilt it...........What do I do? I haven't done this yet.

Your help would be appreciated,

Starla

[sspingler]

Load as usual. Use up all your partially filled bobbins. Turn your machine on low and move your machine fast and baste the width of your hand (about ever 4") both horizontally and vertically.

[KathyA]

make sure the needle comes all the way up before moving, takes a few minutes to get the hang of it. Otherwise you'll get too much flex on the needle or may make a hole in the fabric. Don't worry, you'll catch on real quick.

[Starla]

Thanks a bunch....

I didn't have any idea.

Starla

[quiltjunkie]

I use my channel locks and I have found it's easier to turn the quilt and do all the rows horizontal rather than doing vertical & horizontal..much easier and quicker.

[Bekah]

thanks for that info Hester.

[shelleywa]

I'm not an expert at basting but from what I've read and done, I only baste in one direction - across, and about 4" apart. I think because machine sewing is so much secure than hand basting, this seems to be enough. Are there any quilters out there who have had feedback from their customers as to whether the machine basting has held up during the hand quilting process?

Shelley

[AnnHenry]

I haven't done this, but I just assumed you also loosened the bottom tension, like machine basting on a domestic. No ?

If I were to machine base a quilt, I planned on using water soluble thread in the top and bobbin both, and tell the customer she can wash it out. I know some people like to wash their quilts right away after quilting.

[Starla]

Well...I basted the quilt....horizontally and vertically every 4"...the customer liked it...so all is well....

Thanks everyone for all the help.....Starla