This is MY basting tool, not quite like Quilt in a Day, but I want tools that do double duty, in order save space. This is a plain Phillips screwdriver, and the rubber band keeps the pin tip from sliding when closing the safety pins. Without the tool, closing those pins is hard on nails! 
While basting, I had the advantage of the Animal Planet TV teaching me how NOT to get eaten by lions! Whew - glad I learned that! LOL
It's cold and blustery today - I'm indoors. Today, the entire basting job, from setting tables up to putting it all away took about 1 hour. I used spray and pins - not sure why I doubled the effort - but there's nothing worse than finding a wrinkle on the backing when you're all finished basting!
Half an hour at the machine and one long side has been quilted. It's a simple teardrop, echoed 2-5 times. My quilting thread is a medium blue - gosh what else could possibly work with all those light and dark values!
It's good to be back 'home' at the machine.
Elayne - that's a fabulous quilt... I love the reds dancing across it!!! Can't believe you got it all laid out and sprayed and pinned in an hour... well done.
ReplyDeleteFor closing basting pins, I use a teaspoon, more particularly the back of the handle. There are probably dozens of good ideas for the same function.
ReplyDeleteLookin' pretty! I love that quilting pattern. It looks good on so many different quilts. --And you are executing it beautifully. Glad you are back at it!
ReplyDeleteIt looks great! I haven't quilted that deisgn for quite a while, maybe I should think about practicing and using it again since it looks so good on your quilt.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, beautiful, beautiful! I still have never attempted such a big quilt on my machine. I'm scared stiff!
ReplyDeleteGreat quilt. I tried spray basting once on a big quilt and ended up having to pin as well. I'm so thankful for my frame.
ReplyDeleteThe quilting is lovely, and so is the quilt. I'm impressed with your idustry, too. It takes me more than an hour to pin baste even a small quilt. And where did you get the enormous table - it would be so useful! The largest surface I can cobble together is 48" x 48" (two folding tables pushed together) and I have to do it in the garage. Not much basting happens in the winter - and no TV!
ReplyDeleteBasting and quilting in ONE day - wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI need to borrow some of your industry. I have 4 quilts basted and just need to sit down a quilt them.
ReplyDeleteI'm so curious...I've done this quilting design on small wall quilts. On your large one, are you starting at the same end of the quilt every "pass", working around from outside edges to center in a circle, or what? I am wanting to know what direction your peacock feathers are going...all the same direction or willy nilly?
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your blog postings. I love that you quilt your own quilts. I'm interested in your planning of the design. Are you going in rows all around? Keep showing your work!
ReplyDeleteClever - you have a longer handle that would be easier to hold than the grapefruit spoon I use.
ReplyDeleteHow is the neck doing these days?
I missed you too... and the quilting you putting on that lovely quilt is very nice!
ReplyDeleteMan oh Man! That is some beautiful quilting. I am still stuck on straight line quilting. I have the blue dot bobbin and the special plate. Just could not get the tension to be right.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen the 7700 yet? It has an 11" throat and a freearm to boot. Costs as much as a used car though!
Subee
Wooooo....you go girl!! Lookin' good!!!
ReplyDeleteNifty tool! Very clever of you. :) And Elaine, I'm so, so happy you're back 'home' at the machine. This is bliss we can savor and truly be grateful for.
ReplyDeletePlus, golly gee wiz your quilting here is out-stand-ing!!!
congratulations Elaine. Your quilting is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI hate basting. :( Even when I use spray I get wrinkles on the back. What am I doing wrong? blessings, marlene
ReplyDelete