Hi, I know someone will be able to advise me...
I've just finished my first quilt with Freemotion quilting. It's not perfect, but for my first try, I'm ok with it. My eight year old grand-daughter will be too.
First of all, in a few places the fabric shifted and puckered, because of being sewn down where it shouldn't have been. I know I probably needed more pins in it. However, how can you pin it enough to do the quilting and not run over pins? Or lose your flow stopping to remove them? Is this just a practice makes perfect type of thing?
Are those little guns with the plastic thingys better? What about the sticky stuff you spray on? How well does it stick the quilt layers together? Do you use it in conjunction with pins? Is the stuff toxic at all? I sew in a small room and the quilts are frequently for kids. I don't want to gas me and the cat!

Thanks in advance for your help!
Cheers,
KimUK

Hi Kim

When I do my own quilting I usually use the 505 spray to sandwich the layers together. It is very good but you will need to either put a plastic sheet down or newspaper or if it is dry enough layer the quilt outside as you will need a ventilated space and the spray will leave a film on your floor, carpet etc. I have a gun with the plastic things but found they leave a little hole (I have the earlier version) that you have to go back and run your fingers over to sort the fabric out.
And, of course, practice makes perfect - before starting any quilting project always practice on a smaller piece of sandwich.

Milica

It will get better with practice. Maybe make some quilt sandwiches and quilt them when you have time to spare or make some small projects like placemats,tablerunners, potholders or blankets for pets (to maybe donate). Practice on these and give them to family as gifts. As you feel more confident, your projects can grow larger and eventually they will become easier to control. When I quilt with my regular sewing machine "on the table", I use alot of pins but I don't use the spray. It does take practice and alot of it. I also turn on some music that makes me feel good and quilt while it's playing. It also gives you a rythum (sp) to follow. Sounds silly, but it works.

While I haven't done much free motion I have done some. I got comfortible with the Patriotic WH I did for Jess. Having practiced and practiced and practiced, I finally decided you just have to do it.

I also use basting spray but I also reinforce it with 1-inch safety pins. I just don't want things to shift. I select a small area that I will be working and remove those pins. I don't think the time taken to remove those pins are wasted! I don't want puckers on the back so to me it's worth the security it gives me.

Just keep on keeping on and you will get better with each try. I never got comfortable with my sample pieces but I was pretty satified with my final WH.

Betty

Hi, thanks for the advice and help! I will give the spray a try. One of the ladies at my quilt group uses it and I've asked her to give me a hand with my next quilt. I'm really hooked on free-motion quilting...Dang it's fun! Since I don't drive here in the UK...I just pretend I'm behind the wheel and put the pedal to the metal! Woo Hoo
Thanks again...
KimUK

Some of the ladies on the hgtv quilting/needleworks board use hairspray. It's sticky and holds the layers like the quilt basting spray but not as smelly. AquaNet is what some of them used and the can goes a long way and alot cheaper in price. You just wash the quilt when you're done.

The only thing you have to be careful about if you're using hairspray is that it can gum up your needle. If you can keep that from happening, and if you can wash the quilt well when you're done, it's a pretty good money saver. (More for fabric! )

Delia

Wow! Hairspray, who would have thought?! Obiousley someone. It gets out ink stains, works as adhesive for quilting, what next?
Thanks for that hint.
KimUK

I use hair spray for something else, but I don't think I would never use it as basting spray. I would think it would gum the needle and maybe other parts of your machine. Basting spray is especially make not to harm your machine.

When I mark the top of the quilt with my Pouncing chalk, hair spray will hold the chalk in place until I need to remove it.

Betty

It doesn't take much to use it as a basting spray. If your needle gets gummy, use a cotton ball with a little rubbing alcohol on it. I never would have thought to use it to hold chalk on for quilting either.