[This tutorial is written by me, Julia Wachs. I do not use AI to generate text.]
This tutorial demonstrates how to hand baste your quilt as an alternative to spray basting or pin basting. Hand basting is essentially pre-quilting, so everything is spread out in a more natural way. The fabric and batting remain at the correct tension during the entire quilting process. There is a 2 minute video at the bottom of this post that shows my basting in action!
I started hand basting when I was making my first quilt in our new home in Spain. I knew I owned basting safety pins, but they were packed up with all our belongings being shipped across the Atlantic. So instead of buying more safety pins, I decided it was the perfect time to try hand basting! My Alcove quilt was my first quilt that I hand basted and I was so pleased with the results.
Looking back, I realized that I've had various issues with pin basting and spray basting over time. With pin basting, I find that the fabric noticeably shifts while I'm quilting and that the process of pinning can hurt my fingers. Spray basting is the quickest of all the methods, but can produce fumes that bother some people and can sometimes permanently stain the fabric. Hand basting is the slowest of these methods, but I think the extra time is well worth it! Note: some links in this tutorial are affiliate links, meaning that I earn a small commission if you buy through my link. I only recommend products I use and enjoy.
Supplies Needed
- Completed quilt top, batting, and backing
- Thread in a contrasting color
- Needle (I like using a long quilting needle)
- Snips or Scissors
- Optional: thimble
Steps
1. Ensure that your quilt top is cleaned up of stray threads and fully pressed. I like using my extra-large Novodon wool pressing mat on top of my large sit/stand sewing desk to efficiently press my entire quilt top.
2. Clear a large clean space for basting. It's important that the majority of the weight of the quilt is supported and not pulling anywhere. I love using my sit/stand desk for basting. I find I can put the surface at the perfect ergonomic height for me while I hand baste.
3. Find a spool of thread that you are not saving for anything. This could be some older thread, one you don't really care for, or one with an awkward amount remaining. The thread will be discarded after the quilting is complete.
4. Cut a length of thread about as long as your arm. Thread your needle and tie a quilter's knot at the end.
5. Start stitching in the center of your quilt and sew outwards, or in sections. Make sure that the knot remains outside of the layers. I like making extra large stitches to speed the process along and make the thread extra visible.
6. Make another quilting knot at the end and keep the knot outside the layers. Make sure that you are not pulling on the thread and creating tension when creating and trimming your knot.
7. Continue basting in this manner. My thread spacing is usually 6-8 inches apart. I find this spacing fully adequate in preventing the layers from shifting. I also recommend basting the very edges of the quilt.
8. Quilt your quilt as desired. While quilting, check that your presser foot does not get stuck on the basting stitches. I find that this rarely happens if I go slowly while using my walking foot. Ensure that the weight of your quilt is fully supported while going through your sewing machine.
9. Once quilting is complete, square up the quilt while keeping the basting stitches intact. After the quilt is trimmed, gently remove the basting stitches. Cut off a knot from one end and gently pull from the other end of the thread. Sometimes, while quilting the quilting needle goes through the basting thread. This is easy to fix. If you pull the basting thread out slowly you will find where the intersection is happening without damaging the quilting thread. Trim the basting thread close to this intersection and the rest should come out easily.
So tell me, will you give hand basting a try?
Note: The quilt pattern is the Sonic Boom pattern from Lazy Cozy Quilts.
Video
Below is a video of me creating some basting stitches. There is only ambient audio in the clip.