How to Baste & Quilt Your First Quilt
Step 1: Prepare backing by pressing it well. Lay it right side down, on a large flat surface (such as a table or floor), and secure it around all edges with masking tape, stretching it tight and flat.
Step 2: Spray the backing with Fabric Adhesive Spray following the directions on the can. Center the batting on top, ensuring it is flat.
Step 3: Spray the top of the batting with adhesive. Complete your quilt sandwich by centering the quilt top over the batting with the right side up.
Step 4: Make sure batting and backing are showing around all sides of the quilt top. If you decided to use pins instead of spray, now is the time to add them through all three layers 4” apart all over the quilt sandwich.
Step 5: Mark off lines on your quilt where you want to quilt it. They can be ¼”, ½”, or even 1” apart. I like to start with them wider. I can always go back and add more stitches in between. You can use painters’ tape to tape off your lines so you can follow the tap as you quilt. You can also use a chalk marker and your ruler to mark off the lines.
Step 6: For your first quilt, I recommended adding your walking foot to your machine. This walking foot will help pull the bottom of the sandwich in line with the top of the sandwich.
IF YOU DON’T HAVE A WAlKING FOOT
If you don’t have a walking foot, then you will walk to check your manual and set your machine, so the feed dogs are locked in the down position. Then, check the other feet that came with your machine. You will want the quilting or “darning” foot. There should be a picture in your manual. Using this foot and the feed dogs in the down position, set your foot at a steady pace (slow your machine down if you can) and begin stitching straight or just slightly wavy lines down the center of the quilt.
A Supreme Slider or gliding quilt mat that goes over your sewing machine can help keep the quilt moving smoothly under the quilting. I also really appreciate having quilting gloves to help me grip the quilt. In this image above is a picture of the “darning” or “quilting” foot.
This is what my machine looks like with the feed dogs in the down position - and when it is really dusty!
Step 7: Begin stitching down the center of the quilt following the tape or chalk to help you keep your stitches straight. When you get to the end, lock your stitches by taking 2 stitches backward. Then, remove the quilt and reset it at the top on your next marked offline. Follow to the end of the quilt again. Continue to repeat this process slowly moving from the center to the right side. After you finish one side, turn the quilt around and move from the “new top” to the right edge. This will help keep the bulk of the quilt to the outside of the machine.
TIP: Having enough table space for you to lay your quilt on will help tremendously as you try to manage a heavy quilt.
