First all the furniture/cat food/recycling bags/sewing machine got shoved to the edge of the diningroom which has a laminate floor (highly recommended to quilters as it's ace for taping down backings). Then I had to vacuum about fifty times because we are the crumb and fluffball family and they tend to make their way into the gap between backing and wadding where they show through and reproach me for ever. Do you ever look at housework and think "but didn't I do that already once?"
I will have to investigate other ways (other than to use a basting service:-)) for big quilts, but I do it by taping the backing to the floor all round, then taping the batting at the top, kneeling on the backing and shuffling backwards, spraying a foot section at a time with spraybaste before unrolling the batting and smoothing down. Repeat, until knees are creaking.
The top taped down and ready to go.
By this point I anticipated having to drop everything and clear it all away to collect the children from school but it got done in the end.
Hope the crinkles disappear with quilting! I have a plan but am not sure how implementable it's going to be, given the size.
Sorry for northern hemisphere winter indoor photos. I'm linking up to Finish it up Friday (Hooray!) even if I can't get a decent photo without taking it outside and dragging it in the mud.
I find that it helps to consider the whole process a yoga workout. Which it tends to be before it's all over.
ReplyDeleteI find baby quilts exhausting to baste so I can't imagine how sore your knees are now :-( My biggest worry would be quilting a quilt that size :-) It is a stunning quilt - I love the red borders.
ReplyDeleteSounds pretty much how I do it, so therefore must be the absolutely correct and only way to go ;-)
ReplyDeleteHard going on the knees, but it will be wonderful when you have finished it Catherine!
ReplyDeleteWoo-hoo for getting the basting done! I love your strippy triangle quilt. I agree on the laminate flooring being great for taping things down. As for the knees, every spring our local dollar store has cheapo foam kneeling pads for gardeners. I bought two, one for outside and one specifically for quilt basting. It helps immensely, plus you get a little extra cushioning if you swivel around and sit on it for a while.
ReplyDeleteI fear basting a large quilt, I hate basting!!
ReplyDeleteThe quilt is gorgeous and this method sounds so much better than my having to crawl around between two heavy sofas!!
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful quilt! I pin baste and loathe it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! And yes, I totally get the "didn't I already do this" housework question. It seems like the work multiplies when you turn your back, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteWow Catherine, that's fantastic!! Laminate is sooo useful - I move the sofas and pin baste, but its the basting that puts me off doing anything that big!
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely! Good for you, mine is still the same state of unfinished as it was when the class ended...
ReplyDeletewell done xx all that watching you work wore me out!!! quilt looks ...GOOD xx
ReplyDeleteIt's just gorgeous Catherine, looking forward to seeing how your quilt it :D
ReplyDeleteI do ask the question didn't I do that once already all the time. My wood floor are magnets for dirt constantly!
ReplyDeleteAnyway this is going to be a very appreciated quilt once the tricky part is done LOL You can do it!
Cute quilt. Try starting in the middle when you spray based. Work one way then the other. Your knees will still hurt but it might help any wrinkles. Deb
ReplyDeleteOh that quilt is totally going to be worth the effort - it looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI kind of do that, only with two small strips washi tape at each corner and then lots of swearing when it all becomes unstuck. Lovely quilt
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute quilt! I agree with the choice of border. Love the red. I tape the back of my quilts down and...get ready...thread baste it. I sit on the quilt to do it. A twin size takes me about 8 hours. It is a meditative process for me. Usually done with some music and frequent stops to remove Josephine the Cat who likes to eat the batting.
ReplyDeleteI have never made a quilt ever, small or large, it looks quite a task. This quilt is beautiful though and I can appreciate all the time, effort, (cursing?) and love that has gone into it. It will be lovely to see it finished and on the bed ... I look forward to the in situation photograph Catherine, a big well done to your knees x
ReplyDeleteOh, I feel your pain! Basting is the least favourite part in the quilt making process in my opinion, but once it's done I always rejoice. Now you're onto the fun part! It's looking gorgeous and I wish you luck with quilting.
ReplyDeleteThough not a quilter, I can relate to your process. More than once, I have found myself kneeling on the floor, furniture pushed to the side, all for the sake of a project, and all while counting the minutes before school pick up. Looks like it worked out and was worth the effort!
ReplyDeleteHaving tried the floor and tried spray basting, I am now a convert to the press, starch and table basting with pins method. Good results every time.
ReplyDeleteHaving tried the floor and tried spray basting, I am now a convert to the press, starch and table basting with pins method. Good results every time.
ReplyDeleteLooks really good, and love your kitchen! I never thought of taping, I push furniture and pin
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful quilt! I hate basting. I usually spray baste but it goes everywhere, the carpet stays sticky for weeks!!
ReplyDeleteThis is looking wonderful! I don't envy you with all that basting but it'll be worth it once it's done :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful quilt! I can see how you got carried away with the triangles. They are wonderful! As for the basting, if you have a longarmer in your area, you might ask if they do that. I have done this for a good number of clients because Swiss houses just don't have a lot of floor space! I'm looking forward to seeing how you quilt this up. Great job!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.busyneedle.ch
now I know how to do it in practical terms, thank you for explaining in pictures lol and yes I know those swear words !
ReplyDeleteIve popped over from a GYB blog post via a link and now have to find my way back lol
I will return however!
Lovely quilt! And yes, I am always thinking "but I've already done that this week/month/year", when it comes to housework!
ReplyDelete