Basting in cooking helps keep the food moist while cooking. On the other hand, basting in quilting and sewing keeps the fabrics from moving before they are stitched in detail.
I am sure you have your favorite basting method, just like I have mine. I will share what methods I use and why. And I would love to hear in the comments, why you picked your favorite methods.
Fusible Batting
Probably the easiest is fusible batting. You layer the material on the batting and use a little heat to fuse it together. This is possibly the quickest method. Some of the fusibles are water soluble, so they wash out later.
Personally, I don’t have a lot of room for multiple types of batting. So, I stick to a plush cotton batting.
Spray Basting
With spray basting, you need a large flat surface where you can layout the backing, batting and quilt top. Both sides of the batting need to be sprayed with the adhesive. Then, each layer is smoothed to secure them. This method is not as quick as the fusible batting, but faster than the other methods. It provides smooth layers and minimizes bloodshed.
However, spray basting does require a well-ventilated area as the aerosol can be hazardous. Also, uneven or heavy spraying can cause stiffness.
Given I have large dogs, with lots of fur, spray basting may just make my floors permanently fuzzy.
Pins
Pins are the traditional method for basting. Layers are spread out on a large flat surface. Then, they are pinned together. Generally, quilters use safety pins or quilters pins rather than straight pins. Quilters pins have a little bend in them, so they are easier to pin through the layers and result in smaller holes.
Depending upon the quilt, it can take a lot of pins! I recommend starting from the center and working your way out. Check carefully for any wrinkles.
I have used quilters pins for years… but I may have a new love.
Magnets
Magnets, like SewTite, are the new pins. You add the layers in a large area and use the magnets to hold the layers together.
Depending upon the size and the strength of the magnet, you may need fewer magnets than pins. And there will definitely be less bleeding!
Once I tried the magnets, I was stuck on them. They are easy to use and reposition. The variable sizes and strengths make them versatile.
Some worry about the magnets ruining electronics. I have not had any problems with them. Magnets are more expensive than pins, but they are also less likely to break or end up stuck in your feet or fingers.
Basting Stitches
Basting stitches are generally used in conjunction with one of the other methods. But they can also be used by themselves. Basting stitches are long running stitches that keep the fabric layers from shifting.
You can make the stitches by hand for smaller projects. Or a domestic machine for small and medium projects. For large projects, a longarm works well. Some longarmers will baste quilts for a small price.
Quilt top basted with SewTite magnets visible at the edges — teal appliqué on white background
What do I Use?
I prefer pins or magnets rather than fusing. I don’t want to add more chemicals to my quilts or fur to my floor.
For the Quilting… You Say? Quilt Along, I will be using a combination of magnets and basting. In this case, the basting will have a very special purpose. I will use a contrasting thread at set interval so mark a grid on the quilt top. This grid will be used to position the appliques instead of tracing the design onto the top.
Do you baste? And if you do, what are your favorite methods for basting?
