Quilt in a Day Forums

I've heard something about a spray you can use to keep all layers of the sandwhich together and by using this, you don't have to pin. I'm a novice at quilting...have only made one-about 15 yrs ago. It was a tie quilt that some women said I had to put on a frame to piece it together and tie-others have said "you don't need a frame for tie quilting". I'm confused on these two topics, so any feedback would be great! Thanks so much!!

I love basting spray! I still pin layers together, but you can use a lot fewer pins if you use the spray adhesives. To be honest, the only brand I have ever tried was a hit, so I've not tried any others. I use Formula 505 Spray and Fix because it:
--keeps layers secure (I have to move projects from room to room) but you can peel layers apart and reposition them fairly easily if needed
--washes out of fabric
--if you get it on a floor or table, it comes off with dish soap and a gentle scrubbie pad
--doesn't stain
--doesn't gum up your needle if machine quilting, or tying
--is stinky, but minimally stinky

I am primarily a tied quilt maker. I have done a bit of hand quilting as well as machine quilting. I safety pin baste or spray baste, or do a bit of both, depending on the project. I use embroidery floss to tie because I like the wide variety of colors available and it is easy to work with. I use a darning needle and wear my leather thimbles to keep my fingers from getting too sore. Warm and Natural batting is very easy to use in a tied quilt; the needle just slips right through.

Keep on quilting and do what works for you; lots of people have lots of opinions. There are some who will look at you cross-eyed if you say you tie your quilts, or they will tell you "you don't tie quilts, you tie *comforters*"...some are downright snobbish...BUT what matters to me, personally, is getting a quilt DONE, and if tying gets it finished and to its new owner sooner, then that's the route I will take! And no, you don't need a frame to quilt. Many of us spread our quilts out on tabletops or floors and strap 'em down with clamps or masking tape.

Stick around with us, ask all the questions you want, and stick to the Quilt In A Day books--the instructions are thorough and easy to follow. A completed project will give you the confidence to do others, and you will soon be addicted just like the rest of us crazy folks around here!

Carole

Hi dorcas, like Carole, I too am a big fan of the 505 basting spray. Contrary to Carole, however, I only use the basting spray, nothing else. Can't be bothered, really

I don't have a lot of input on how to tie a quilt, because I've never done it, but I guess using the basting spray would make a frame unnecessary if you want to tie a quilt. I use the floor and masking tape to "stretch" the layers a bit when I spray baste, and it works fine (and is sooooo much quicker than using safety pins). Once that part is done, you can move the quilt sandwish around without any worries, so you can take it with you to wherever you want to work on tieing it.

(Sorry, I just realized I basically only repeated what Carole had already said

I'm not a fan of the sprays. to sticky. I bought a set of clamps and that is what I use and then pin.

I enjoy my tied quilts and have never used a frame. the process I use to get it flat is similar to Carole's and I use safety pins in addition to the spray basting. It is probably overkill but it makes me feel good I think a frame might make the process easier but it is not necessary

The spray is fabulous. That's how I put my quilts together before I machine quilt them. It keeps all the layers where they are supposed to be. Lori

Another spray basting fan here. LOL I've used 505 and June Taylor.

I use 505, but I do quilt on a frame, like a longarm but smaller. I use 505 on the borders. Before I got my frame, machine and stitch reglator, I used fusible batting and had good luck with it. Amie )

I just finishes a queen sized quilt using a batting that you could iron to baste, and it was hand tied. I used a table, I have never used any frame when I have hand tied a quilt. I have used both yarn and floss to tie. Like them both. I wish you success!

I'm another spray lover...But, be careful, use it in a well ventilated area and if you're using the dining room table, like I did, be careful where you spray...I had a heck of a time getting it off the table....