How to Baste a Quilt

basting (v.) refers to temporarily tacking your quilt into a 3 layered quilt sandwhich: quilt top, batting, backing

Basting is one of the most important steps in the quilting process. Basting is done just before machine quilting and must be done correctly in order for your machine quilting to look good. There are many ways to baste your quilt, but the easiest way we have found is to spray baste. A common concern with spray basting is whether or not the spray will ever come out. We're here to tell you that after one wash or about 3 weeks, the adhesion will wear off.  Here's a quick tutorial on how to baste a quilt:

1. Clear a work space big enough to lay your quilt in. Crack open the window to let in fresh air...
2. Layout your batting (must be bigger than your quilt top- about 5'' extra on each side) and smooth out
3. Iron your quilt top and lay it face down on top of the batting

4.  The best kind of basting spray can be bought at Hancock Fabrics- Sullivans Original Basting Spray. Yes, the brand matters. We tried out an "odorless"  kind from JoAnn's and it didn't work that great.

5. Now it's time to baste. Shake the can before use. Lightly spray 8-10 inches away from the fabric with a sweeping motion.

6. Allow 3-5 minutes to dry to tacky.

7. Flip your quilt top over and baste from the middle out by pressing firmly down with your hands

8. Flip over your half-basted quilt and repeat steps 5-7 for the backing (must be bigger than your quilt top-about 5" extra on each side) of your quilt.

9. YOU DID IT!