We are back!!! Wow that free week was really helpful. I didn’t get as much done last week as I had hoped for because my dad was in the hospital. I went back to New Mexico to lend a helping hand. There were lots of prayers, cooking and a little yard work. I am so happy that we have made it to my favorite part of the quilting process, spray basting your quilt. 

It is very important to get this part right, because your basted quilt is the foundation for your quilting. Errors here could snowball. Take your time basting your quilt making sure everything lays flat. Yes, this week we are working on creating the back for our Mod City Center quilt. Then we will sandwich the quilt together and baste the quilt so it will be ready to be quilted next week. I want to know what is your favorite way to quilt a quilt?? Do you machine quilt, long arm quilt, quilt by check or hand quilt?? I have done all of them, at one point or another. There is really no right or wrong option, just different ways to get the job done. For me, it depends how large the quilt is. If it is smaller, then I will quilt it myself on my domestic machine. If it is larger and I have a little more time then, I will take it to my sister’s house. She lets me use her long arm machine. I am truly spoiled. Righ?! I like to send my really large quilts out to a long armer to quilt i.e. (quilting by check).

In the past, quilt basting is the step that I really struggled with. I tried to pin the three layers together, but it seemed that as the year went by I got worse at the process. My backing would always shift, causing pucker and folds. This issue had me so frustrated that I stopped domestic machine quilting. About a year ago (maybe two now…) I decided to try out spray basting and I can tell you that it’s the best thing that I have done so far!! 

Things to know about Backing

• If you are sending your quilt out for a long armer to quilt you will want to add 8” to the length and width of your quilt. This is because the long arm quilter will center your backing to your quilt top, and they need at least 4” on all the edges. 

• You will want to take a larger seam when piecing your backing together. Some people take a .5” seam allowance. This will give your quilt a good foundation for your top, making it more durable. Since the seam is larger, you may want to press the seam open eliminating fabric bulk.

• I love using my scraps up when putting my backing together. Click here to see some ways I have pieced my backing together. 

• Have you tried wide backing? The width of the fabric (salvage to salvage) is around 108”. Which is amazing!! Imagine, on a smaller quilt you use the width for your length. So, you may only need a 1 3/4 yards for your backing. An example of a quilt size that this would work for is 54” x 74”. You would even have about 26” left over. Wide backs are fabulous in a time pinch.  

Things to know about spray basting

• If you are going to send it out to a long armer you do not need to baste the quilt. A long arm machine has a separate bar for the top of the quilt and the back of the quilt. Ask the long armer you are working with what they prefer. They might have a giant roll of batting and not need you to send batting with your layers.

• You should spray baste in a well ventilated area. I do it in my backyard.
  
• Don’t spray too much in one area creating puddles of glue.

• You should spray about 15 to 20 inches away from your quilt.

• Don’t spray the “good sides” of your, quilt top and bottom.

• Take your time.

• Smooth out your surfaces as you go.
  

I switch quilts on you. This is my test quilt. I am using Tula Pinks De La Luna and it makes me smile. Here is a video I put together to show you my spray basting process. I don’t crawl on the floor. No quilt yoga here. Just me and my three layers (quilt top, batting, and quilt backing), a can of basting adhesive, a couple of pins and a portable table. 

Enter to win

I love looking at all of your progress photos on Instagram. Share your progress for this week’s topic, putting the quilt back together and spray basting your quilt on Instagram using #modcitycenterquiltalong and #MCCQweek6 (each week this one will change). For this week when you post your progress photos on Instagram, tell me what is your favorite way to quilt your quilt? The more weeks you participate, the greater your chance of winning. When I reveal the next step, I will announce a new winner here on my blog. The prizes will get larger as the quilt progresses, so stick around. I can’t wait to see your progress photos. Happy quilting!!

The winner for week 5 is hooray!!
@schimmelbeavers

Privacy on Instagram

Since I want to make this a fun and interactive experience, I would like to use Instagram. If you don’t have it and need help setting it up, let me know. To participate, please make your Instagram account open to the public. If it is not public, I won’t be able to see your photos and won’t be able to pick you in giveaways. If you have issues with this, I understand. Direct message me and let me know.

Can you still Join?

Of course!! I want this to be a laid back and fun experience. It is ok if you miss steps; life always gets in the way and that is all right. If you would like to learn more about the Mod City Center Quilt Along, click here.