Design Wall Basting

 

I use my design wall to baste small quilts. Do you do this?

First I piece the backing to the size needed, press it, and pin it to the design wall.

 

 

Then I cut the batting to the size needed and pin it on top of the backing, making sure it is smooth and even. I had to piece this one along one side. I just use a wide zig zag stitch and it works just fine.

 

Then I layer the quilt top on the center of this and I have my sandwich. I smooth it evenly from the middle to the edges and corners. I pin the corners and sides with straight pins to hold it in place.

 

Can you see the little green pin? Notice that I leave just enough of the batting and backing showing around the edges to make handling it easier, but not too much, so I can avoid unnecessary bulk.

 

Now it's all smoothed and flat so I can start at the bottom and attach the safety pins. I am careful to avoid any shifting and use slight pressure by pulling the sandwich to keep it taught (but not enough to stretch it!)

 

 

I continue adding safety pins by going across the rows working my way from the bottom to the top.

Here's a peek at the back, no puckers or tucks, just nice and smooth like it should be.

 

Now it's all pin basted and ready to quilt.

 

 

I just machine quilted this one in the ditch with my walking foot.

 

Of course you need to see the finished quilt all quilted and bound and ready to give away!

 

So, are you going to give design wall basting a try? Or do you have any basting suggestions that might help? This is so much easier than crawling around on the floor!

 

Enjoy every stitch!

Diane