Practical Thread Magic: Basting: It's Not Just for Turkeys

Practical Thread Magic

When I come to teach to a group, there's always a frantic rush of questions and concerns. I don't play with the same toys other quilters do. Though I talk about that at length in class, I thought it would be helpful to have that information available in a blog. So here we're going to discuss the nuts and bolts of the kind of thread work I love and teach. We'll discuss products, choices, threads, fabrics, tools, stabilizers and all the things that make my work work for me, and will help your work work for you.

If you have an upcoming class with me, you should know I bring almost all of the things I use for your needs. If you want to try something you've got, absolutely bring it. But if you're having trouble finding it, please don't stress. I'll have it there for you.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Basting: It's Not Just for Turkeys

10:58 AM |

Posted by Ellen Anne Eddy |

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Several weeks ago, I went looking to order another basting gun. They don't last forever. Even with new needles, there's a day when the pin bends. I was appalled to be told my supplier wasn't carrying them anymore.

These are a love/hate item for a lot of quilters. Do they leave holes? Yep. They can. Do they jam? Yep, they do.Why am I insistent on having one? Because they're still the most hand-friendly way to baste out there.

Case in point. This piece is still in process. I'm still at that point where I move things, look at them, move them again, and look again. I could pin them. I also could go through a box of band-aides sewing them down.

In comes my tack gun.I can tack things up, look them over, clip out whatever doesn't work. Problems and all, I'm still in love.

There's another side as well. Tack guns don't hurt my hands. I have a small amount of carpel tunnel that is not forgiving about safety pins. This is much easier. And it did solve the problem of the cat who would take the pins out and try to eat them. He still tries to take them out. He still tries to eat them. But they're much less likely to do him harm.

The Quilt Basting Gun is a good design tacker. It's perfect for basting large elements to your quilt.

You might want to consider the Micro stitch for basting quilts. The tacks are smaller and leave smaller holes. I usually steam a quilt and the holes all pull together.

Either way, I feel the baby is in danger of going out with the bath water here. They're not a perfect tool, but I can't imagine being without.

3 comments:

Norma Schlager said...: I tried one years ago and didn't like it at all. But everyone has to do what works for them. I am a big fan of spay basting, but I know that some just hate that, too.; June 28, 2010 at 1:38 PM
LoieJ said...: When I had one of these guns, I thought that the stem of the tack was too long, maybe meant for puffy quilts. I use regular pins for small quilting items and safety pins on larger items. But I use a grapefruit spoon to help with the pins. I can certainly see why you would want a gun rather than pins.; June 29, 2010 at 9:24 AM
American Quilter's Society said...: I hope it all works out. So far so good with your project.Can't wait to read more from you.

www.aqsquiltnews.blogspot.com; June 30, 2010 at 5:40 PM

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