Thanks to the responses about spray basting, I decided to give it another try, after a few flops several years ago. I'm so excited!! Using the Sullivans brand, I took everything outside, laid a sheet on the deck, then the backing, sprayed, laid down the batting, then sprayed the batting, then placed the top on the sandwich. The top wasn't holding as well, so I sprayed the back of the top, then placed the top on the sandwich, and everything stayed together! Because I was going to be handling this quilt a lot during the quilting process, (I wasn't going to use my Grace GMQ frame this time), I also pressed the front and back as well. (That was an excellent tip)! The quilt is approximately 60 x 60, and I was able to do all the stitch in the ditch sewing, without any fabric moving around or getting loose.

Thanks everyone for sharing their tips, I'm very excited that I now have another option other than Sharon Shamber's method, which is excellent as well. For me, I think it depends upon the type of quilting that I'm doing, and how long it will take me to complete the project! For a long term quilting project, or maybe something that is very detailed in the actual quilting, I will probably still use Sharon's method.

Kathy in CA

Anne, I really like my HQ16 sit down. There is a Yahoo group just for us and if you are curious, check it out.

This was a great thread with just the information I needed to try spray basting and hand quilting. I used 505 spray and Hobbs 80/20 batting on a pieced tablerunner.
I basted right on my kitchen table (window open slightly and fan on) and wearing a Maxi-Mask.. I pressed both top and backing well, then placed backing wrong side up, placed batting over it and smoothed from center out to where I was happy, then peeled batt halfway back and sprayed batt, then pulled it gently into place and smoothed it out. Next I placed top right side up on top of batt, smoothed it into place, then peeled the top back and sprayed batt. Gently smoothed top down onto batt, smoothing from center out. Thank you so much for the excellent directions. I'm now going to find my hoop and start hand quilting, starting at center and doing a grid line to both
top and bottom, then to each side. Then I will work in one quarter of the top at a time. Thank you both, annlp and MaryRinWI, for your detailed instructions.

QuilterLynn wrote:
Lynn, how do you like your sit-down HQ16? I've been wondering about them.

Anne in Vancouver, Canada

Just a follow up since I first posted this topic. I just finished a project using Patsy Thompson's method of spray basting using 505 Basting Spray. It worked beautifully and saved tons of time pinning layers together. The spray held the layers together throughout the quilting process, no problems with fumes, no gumming up the needle, and the quilt was so much easier to move under the needle while quilting with no pins in the way. The only question remaining is how many projects I'll be able to get out of a can of spray. It's on the expensive side ($12.99 for a fairly small can at my local quilt shop), but considering the time savings and the ease of quilting, it's money well spent.

Thanks, Patsy. Your video made a big difference in my quilting life.

Thank you for responding about the smell, etc. when using the sprays. DH is a woodworker and whenever he's spraying or using any type of finishes, it instantly gives me a sore throat. I'm cautious about using any sprays. Thanks again. If I can get something set up outside, I'll give the spray baste a try.

JoAnne

I, too, have asthma, and I have used Sullivan's and the other major brand (Can't remember the name, but not 505) for years with no problems whatsoever. That risk is overrated.

BethMI

505 hardly smells at all and there are no warnings on the can about fresh air or masks, which there would be if there were harmful chemicals in it. A friend of mine who has asthma uses it with no problems.

Unless I missed it, no one mentioned the smell. I've never used the sprays. Doesn't it make it hard to breathe when you're using them? I wonder if some sort of mask should be worn. That's one thing that has kept me from using the sprays.

JoAnne

Thanks for all the tips and tricks.

It will be awhile before I get to another one, but I have 8 tops along with backs hanging and waiting. I'm on my very first FMQ with my HQ16 sit-down right now and it's going well! Thank God! ha

So I won't be looking for diversion to begin #2.

Mary mentioned shaking the spray an adequate amount of time. The directions usually say 2 minutes and I do it by the clock. It truly does make a difference.

Lynn - I'd like to offer a few tips that work for me. I push two long tables together in the cafeteria of the school where my husband teaches, and cover them with old curtains to catch any over-spray. I don't spray anything before I start. I usually lay the backing on the table, right side DOWN. Then put the batting on, and smooth from the center out in all directions, without stretching the batting if possible. At that point, I sometimes trim off the excess batting, particularly if I'm working with a pieced back, so I can see where the edges are for the next step. Then I lay the top, wrong side DOWN over the batting, and again, smooth from the center out, making sure that the top is centered on your backing/batting. (I use either of two smoothing motions: moving both hands outward from a starting point, or "anchoring" with one hand and smoothing with the other.) Once you are staisfied that your sandwich is the way you want it, grab your can of spray and SHAKE THE SNOT out of it! It really matters - trust me. For a large quilt, the rest of the process works better if you have another person to help you. Stand on opposite sides of the table, and each grab a corner on the same edge. Fold that edge back so that the edge is laying about half way back toward the center. Then fold it back again, so that one half of the batting is exposed. Shake the can again, then spray the batting from where the top is folded to half-way from the fold to the edge (just like you folded it before.) Wait the recommended amount of time, then unfold the top back over the batting, all the way to the edge. Press and smooth the sprayed section, checking to see that the outer edges will be where you want them. If everything looks OK, grab the same corners you had before, and fold the top back to the point that the spray holds it in place, shake and spray the exposed batting. Wait, then fold back, press and smooth to the edges. Move around to the other side of the quilt, and repeat. Flip the sandwich over, and do the same thing with the backing up. You will end up doing the fold-shake-spray-wait-smooth process a total of 8 times - 4 times on the front, and 4 times on the back. Flip it back over and give it a final smoothing all over the front. For a large quilt, I will also put the curved safety pins in places that won't interfere much with the quilting, 8 to 12 inches apart, just for insurance. Most importantly, when you start the quilting process, stabilize by stitching in the ditch around all the blocks and along the outer edge of the border, or wherever it makes sense to stitch, then move on to your decorative quilting. If you are using a wall instead of a table, the process would work the same. Good luck!

Lots of good answers here. I have only used 505 once and felt like I had gotten myself into a game of twister as getting the batting laid down flat and then getting the top laid down flat were so difficult. It would stick in the wrong place and then while getting THAT unstuck I'd get another place stuck wrong! It was a disaster for me!

Having said that I'd like to learn to use it as the basting with pins or with Sharon Schamber method are a pain. I am using Shaaron's method but do keep getting my hopping foot caught in the basting threads! And pins required moving or removing.

If all of you can do it, so can I!!!!

I like the 'wall' idea as gravity won't be as much of a detriment as working flat on a table. My knees can't take the carpet idea. Ouch!

I'm so glad that I posted the question -- lots of good tips. After I wash my new fabric, I usually starch it because I like the firmer feel. Perhaps, that's been my problem. I'll just have to give this another try -- anything to make the tedious job of basing easier. Thanks.