Sunday, August 29, 2010

Love/hate

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I really love everything about making quilts...except basting them. I'm just not patient enough do to a good job. It's not to be attempted if there is a dog or a 3-year-old around (I know from experience...), and crawling around on my hard tile floor isn't my idea of fun. Sometimes I even sweat! There's just nothing redeemable about it, except...

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It means I'm one step closer to my favorite part: binding the quilt. On the flip side, I love everything about binding a quilt! Cutting the strips, machine sewing on the binding, and then finishing it by hand. Love.

I'll be back soon to show you my finished Arcadia quilt.

12 comments:

Claire said...

is it okay to be jealous of your quilt!?!

I gave up on basting my quilts with pins..it's back-breaking for me and I can never seem to get the layers smooth.

So, I use basting spray, which works like a charm and with in about 30-45 minutes (depending on the size of the quilt) you have the quilt basted and ready to be quilted.

Now, binding I just really really hate, but also love because it mean your so close to be able to cuddle with your new quilt!

I can't wait to see your finished quilt!

mamammelloves said...

I also hate basting... and I even try to make it easier by using the basting spray. But it still ends up being hard on my back, crawling all over the floor, stooped and pinning. I LOVE binding! Especially since you can just sit there on your comfy sofa, watch a sappy movie, and sew while cuddled up under an almost finished quilt. :)

Cecily said...

I'm with Claire. Basting spray is the ONLY way to go as far as I am concerned. And I think it really helps make the quilting go a lot more smoothly. Do you have a spot in your house or in a friends where you could baste over carpeting? That seems to work better than tile for me because it'll give the bottom layer a little more traction and make it easier to keep straight.

Leah said...

I'm a friend who has carpeting! I think my basement would be perfect. Let me know if you ever want to use it. I remember how scared you were of binding your first quilt!

Robin said...

I can't wait to see the finished project. it looks beautiful

Tracey Jacobsen said...

I'm a terrible baster myself, and improvise by minimizing my intersections in quilting!

I don't love binding either though -- but it's so exciting to get it done!

This looks like a great quilt... can't wait to see it all finished! :)

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

I can't wait to see your quilt completed!

tam2324l said...

Can't wait to see it finished. It is so beautiful already.

SewSara said...

i could have written this post!
it's totally a love/hate relationship with basting.

ohhhh please post pics of your button fabric!
i'm green with envy ;)

Sarah Craig said...

I'm a big fan of basting spray too - I use my clothesline to hang my flimsies on, then spray them with the basting spray. I tape the batt to my hardwood floor, apply the back of the quilt, flip it over, then apply the front. Works like a charm and so much easier than safety pins! And the quilt is lighter and more flexible for machine quilting that way....

And I love binding too, because it's usually the last time I will get to enjoy the quilt - most of mine go to people in need through our church's quilt ministry.

CJ said...

Spray Basting for me too!!! My most recent quilt I sprayed AND pinned some. It was the biggest quilt to be done on my Bernina 440 and the backing fabric did not want to stick. I've never had an issue with any other fabric though. Love to be done with it in minutes and not have to stop and start the quilting to remove pins.
Love this quilt, btw.

Courtney said...

I only use basting spray!!