A Little Quilt Basting on a Festive Reversible Table Runner
Quilt Basting a New Project
My Reversible Table Runner is finished, but when I was going through all the pictures I took of the project I realized that there are more than enough for two blog posts, a new pattern, and a new tutorial. All coming in the next couple of days. Here are a few pictures of getting it all put together…starting with quilt basting.
Quilt basting can be daunting, but on a smaller project like this it is actually pretty fun. As long as I use my Kwik Klip to save my finger and finger nails. Pin basting can be rough on your fingers, but this little tool really saves the fingers. I have also been told that using a spoon can be helpful.
You can make the process faster by putting all the pins in place in a section and then go back with the tool to close them all at once. Working in batches really makes a difference.
Quick Tip:
Iron your project top and bottom with spray starch before putting the layers together. Spray it on the wrong side to prevent starch buildup and it washes out later. Many quilters prefer Best Press, but I also use plain old Faultless Heavy Starch. It helps keep the fabric stiff and prevents tucks and pulls when quilting. It sure makes the job a lot easier.
Trimming and squaring off the finished product. This is one of the most rewarding steps for me. I love how neat it is after it’s trimmed and the edges are so straight and pretty. It also means you are really close to being finished!
A little binding sewing… I have a Binding Corner Tutorial coming in a couple of days. My grandmother requested a tutorial that focuses on making pretty and square corners with the binding. Coming soon…
Finishing the binding with a sneak peak of the Christmas side. I am still a hand quilter when it comes to finishing the binding on the back. I started out hand quilting my quilts and it is nice to still hand quilt at least one part of my machine quilted projects.
Previous posts regarding this project:
I wanted to leave you with this… While I was taking project pictures, I noticed this little guy hard at work. It was too cute, I had to share it…
23 Comments
Janet @ Simply Pieced
This looks so pretty and I love the white binding!
Melissa
The heart pins are really cute!!
Pat
This is a really cute quilt. I've turned in my Kwik Klip and safety pins for a bottle of Elmer's Washable School Glue, but I think I'm going to have to give up the machine binding and try doing it by hand (again!) – I just can't seem to get it as nice and pretty as I'd like with all machine stitching.
Love your little squirrel. They are so determined.
Marjorie's Busy Corner
Lovely runner….I have never used the starch. I guess because I am a hand quilter….now learning machine quilting; I must do this. You say it helps from puckering?
Pinkadot Quilts
I just found you and enjoy your blog very much. I bought your mug rug pattern and have made 5 of them, since yesterday!
JB
I really like the idea of a reversible table runner you can use all year. Lovely stuff!
Deborah
I love your starch idea. I've never tried that before! Looking forward to your tutorials.
Susan at TheBoredZombie.com
Nice! I've not used starch before, that's a very neat trick. 🙂
Carla
I really like chevron quilts. Such a modern fun pattern
Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation
love the table runner, Candace! I starch the heck out of my layers on front and back too. I like the crispness and it makes it so much easier to baste and quilt!
Thank you so much for sharing at Needle and Thread Thursday!
🙂 Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation
Susanne - Stoffbreite.de
Trimming and squaring off: love it too 🙂
I like to spray starch the top too. Currently I sew a zig zag table runner. I think I will make it reversibele too. Thanks for the inspirtation.
Susanne
Design Originals by KC
Loved your post today! Glad you like pinbasting… I do too! I love handquilting and look forward to your binding tutorial. Love the squirrel… I love hearing them chatter too! Have a great weekend and thanks for a great post! Kathi
kim
Oh my heart skipped a beat to see those Amy Butler prints used in a chevron pattern!! Love it!
I'll have to try the starch tip, it sounds like a good idea. I pin baste small projects too, but I use Pinmoors. They sure save my fingers 🙂
Celtic Thistle
Will definitely try out your starching tip next time I am pin-basting. Anything that makes this part of quiltmaking easier sounds good to me 🙂
Lucy | Charm About You
Lark is one of my favourite fabric lines, it looks so awesome against the white, the quilting looks great!
hydeeannsews
this looks so fresh and crisp! love the echo quilting.
Candace, did you post anything for the photography workshop at plum and june? I bet there are lots of us (me included) who would like to get photography advice from someone as talented with the camera as you!
Unknown
i really need that binding tutorial for the corners
Vicki
Such a neat and tidy table runner! Love the colors. Fun that it is reversible. Here from Whoop Whoop!
Joanie's Trendy Quilts
Love your chevron table runner! I'm a starcher too! I buy it in the concentrate and mix it with water. I had a squirrel that had me doubled over laughing. He finally made it to the bird feeder but was having a hard time doing acrobatics making the feeder swing faster and faster. He got it going so fast he had to jump off!
Carla
So pretty, Candace!!
Unknown
Looks great! I have not starched, but I think I will start!!! I also love finishing my binding with hand stitching!
LizA.
I use starch all the time. I starch everything before cutting as it really, really helps with more precise sewing. Have you're ever tried liquid Niagra in a spray bottle? It's GREAT stuff. Doesn't flake like the stuff in the cans do. You can usually find it at Target or Walmart. I always buy 3-4 bottles at a time.
Live a Colorful Life
That is a great tip about the spray starch when making the quilt sandwich! Your chevrons are just beautiful!