tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588118538433483895.post3503213929100494041..comments2024-03-28T03:17:28.911-04:00Comments on Art With a Needle: Holding it all togetherKathleen Loomishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930922068379938756noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588118538433483895.post-80041176079386918422011-03-02T13:47:40.827-05:002011-03-02T13:47:40.827-05:00I have a 8' x 8' table that I gently tape ...I have a 8' x 8' table that I gently tape my backing down on. I spread out the batting using my old worn wooden yardstick as an extension of my arm to smooth the batting. I then spread out the quilt top smoothing again with the yardstick, gently and lightly press with the iron then I use safety pins to baste. When I quilt I just make sure that the surrounding area to where I am quilting is flat and I go for it! I have quilted quilts quilting the outside row of blocks and the borders, attached the binding, and gone back and done the middle and have never had a problem getting a pleat. I quilt on a regular sewing machine (Pfaff 1475). I think the key is making sure the surrounding area is flat and smooth from the needle out.patty a.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01861433552460661701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588118538433483895.post-64678181347383519932011-03-02T12:37:24.631-05:002011-03-02T12:37:24.631-05:00Sharon Schamber has a basting tutuorial on You Tub...Sharon Schamber has a basting tutuorial on You Tube that I have found very helpful. I can't bend over a table and baste without ending up on the floor, so it's been a real lifesaver.Jeanne Marklinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01623616365702116741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-588118538433483895.post-2763943524083017132011-03-01T00:01:01.033-05:002011-03-01T00:01:01.033-05:00Another strategy is to stitch some horizontal and ...Another strategy is to stitch some horizontal and vertical walking foot anchor lines using water soluble thread. This allows greater stability of layers during the quilting process and freedom to free motion quilt without a lot of pins blocking the way. When the quilting is finished, spritz water along the stitching lines to dissolve the thread. But beware. Water soluble thread disappears into thin air in high humidity weather. I don't recommend using this thread if you plan to stretch out the quilting process over a long period of time. Store the thread in an airtight ziplock bag.Sandy Ciolinonoreply@blogger.com