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Thursday, October 27, 2011

The Next Step

The good news: the Swoon top is pieced. The not so good news: basting comes next!

As I was thinking about basting this behemoth, it dawned on me there was no space in the house that was possibly big enough, and the rain outside precluded using the deck. Thankfully, hubby had the bright idea to move the table out of the dining room. Never done before for this purpose, it proved to be an admirable solution. I was reminded that 50-something knees don't like to crawl around on the floor for an hour, but at least the (spray) basting is done.
And while I was down there on the floor, I decided to take a close up for those of you who are declaring that center block your favorite . . .
Now. On to the quilting.

13 comments:

  1. Yay for spray baste! I use it too. You're now ahead of me. I have no backing or batting yet, but maybe today I'll have a chance to go out shopping!

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  2. Totally Swoonworthy! Have fun quilting.

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  3. It looks so great! I haven't spray-basted yet, but every time I get down on the floor with those pins I declare that NEXT time will be different! So what is your quilting plan?

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  4. gorgeous!! But I think the one with the green middle star and peachy pinky floral is my fave. From this far away, anyway! I like how it pops! Good luck quilting that bad boy!

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  5. Good luck with the quilting! I can't wait to see this when it's finished!

    Do you mind if I pick your brain (awful expression) about spray basting? I have only done this once on two small table runners and it was disaster. Do you have any tips? I like the idea of using it, but I'd hate to have as many puckers on the back my quilt that I had on my table runners. Thanks!

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  6. or those interested, here's my response to Melanie . . . Basically, I tape down the backing, taunt. Then place the batt down, smoothing all out from the center, then the same with the quilt top. Then I fold back (half if I can manage it) the batt + top. Spray the batt(!), then carefully place back down, smoothing again from the center. Then I do the other side.
    Once the batt is ‘basted’ to the backing, I fold back the top, spray the batt, then carefully place back down, smoothing from the center. Same for the other side.
    The Swoon was a bit trickier as it is so big. I folded back/sprayed/smoothed back about 12-15” across at a time. Usually I can pull/smooth out any puckers as I’m working.
    If it’s not too unwieldy, turn the project over once the basting is done & see if there are any puckers you need to smooth some more.
    Anyway, I hope this helps. I’m certainly not an expert, but this method has worked pretty well for me.

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  7. Thanks for sharing your technique for spray basting. I haven't tried it yet, but I think I will next time. The pins just don't work out too well for me. That is a gorgeous quilt!

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  8. Oh such a beautiful quilt Debbie, and yes I love seeing more of that center block! Congrats for getting it basted!

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  9. I haven't tried spray basting yet. A bit worried about the fumes because I normally baste at night and the kids are upstairs - is it very smelly?? I have to move my table when I baste too!

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  10. Gorgeous Debbie!! I haven't tried spray basting yet but have just used over 600 pins for a quilt:)

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  11. It is looking wonderful! I am a pin baster but I am pleased to hear that spray basting is no faster than I can pin, as I agree about the knees! I look forward to seeing how you quilt it.

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  12. I was trying to spray baste on Saturday. Normally I use a blue painters tape or a really good masking tape. Neither one stuck to my fabric! They both rolled off. I've had this happen with one or the other but I've never had both of them not stick to the fabric. Any suggestions?

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