LONGARM MACHINE QUILTING How to Baste Using the All Over Meander Quilt Basting Method 

Thanks again, Pam. I try to be down to earth and explain things the way I would like to be educated. Glad it works for you!! Happy Quilting!

Thanks, Nancy! I am so glad that you got something out of the video! Happy Quilting! Michael

Hi Denise! Thank you for watching - hope it was helpful!

Hi CIndy - thanks so much! Happy Quilting!

So glad that you found something I have posted useful! Thank you!

Hi Marie - I was hoping you would see it. Sorry it took a little longer for me to edit and post than expected. But glad it was helpful!

Thanks for your comment! I fully bast all of my custom quilts. I only fully bast edge to edge quilts if they are very large and I think I am goig to have any waviness in them towards the bottom. Otherwise I just baste the top, then baste the sides as I move down the quilt with each pass.

Hi Kelly - That is a great idea. I use the Line Minder to help, but channel locks would be more accurate. I don't know that I have ever done that, but will do it on my next quilt.

Hi Cathy. If this quilt is large, I do like to take the time to baste it like this. I just hate having surprises and unexpected fullness anywhere. If it's a smaller quilt - like anything 60" or less, I do not typically do all the basting every time. But yeah. I tend to take the time to meander baste almost every other quilt.

Thanks so much for your comment. I would not stitch baste a silk/satin quilt because of exactly what you said about possibly leaving holes. I suppose you could do some spray basting. But maybe the best thing is to just be smart about what you quilt first and quilt all those big stabilizing lines if possible. Medallion Quilts - yes, I have started in the center on those. However - it requires basting the outside perimeter first, otherwise you have a real possibility of very wavy sides, top, and bottom. So I would definitely try to get the perimeter done and any big lines you can before you quilt too much in the center. And really - if it's just loose quilting and not a lot of heavy fills in the center, you may not get the wavy sides. That's my two cents. Michael

@@michael.quilts Thanks for your quick reply. And I meant to say, you do a wonderful job. You are so calm and natural on your videos. So when you say getting the perimeter done - you mean quilting it, not just basting the top/sides, right? If I may prevail - two last question: I notice on some of your quilts, you use two layers of batting. When do you choose to do that and what batting do you use? And do you ever float your top? I don't know about you, but some quilts have me more tentative than others ... this is one of them so I appreciate your responses so much. thanks again, Michael

@@qu1lt1ngfool In answer to your follow-up questions. I did just mean basting all sides down and making sure you are using clamps to maintain tension on sides while you are quilting the center. I have run into problems when I quilted quite dense in the center and didn't really take into account how much it was drawing the quilt in because I didn't have good side tension. I do use two battings when I really want the quilting to show (wall hangings and others that probably aren't going to be used primarily on a bed). When I do that, I tend to use 80/20 bottom layer and wool on top. Or 80/20 bottom layer and poly on top. Or two layers of 80/20. The 80/20 kinda gives the drape and stability while the poly or wool gives the loft. Hope this helps. Michael

@@michael.quilts Helps a ton!!! Thanks so much for taking the time to answer all my questions. I really appreciate it.

Hi and thank you again! I'd like to say that I baste all of my quilts first and I really do prefer the results when I do. But sometimes I don't do this process. When I do it, I know what to expect. When I don't do it, sometimes get little "surprises" - especially when I get to the bottom of the quilt. But sometimes not. So yeah - I know it's an extra step, but I really do like to baste first. If not the all over meander method, sometimes a grid or just horizontal lines (especially is the quilt has sahing). Happy Quilting! Michael

Hi Janet! I do prefer to take the ruler base off for basting!

Hi Pam. Thanks for your question. Yes - once I baste the entire quilt, I trim off excess batting from the bottom if there is a substantial amount still hanging. At this point, all 3 layers are now on the back bar and belly/front bar. I do not float it. That is a good question that has never come up. I feel like it could get out of control (depending on size of the quilt). However - I suppose the magnetic bars that I use from Harbor Freight could work. In fact, if I ever feel like I need to turn the quilt for any reason, I do use the magnetic bars instead of pinning/attaching to the front/belly bar. But in general - I let it stay rolled up if it is not too bulky. Hope this helps! Michael

Hi Stephie! So glad you are enjoying the videos! I did make my side leaders. Check out this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-yLa19XhTGuM.html Happy Quilting! Michael

@@michael.quilts thanks so much!

Hi Shelley. Thanks for your question. i typically take the stitches out as I approach that section, or at least take several of the big stitches out so I don't sew over them. It's not a major problem if you decide to go ahead and sew over all of them, but it does take a a bit more time to remove them afterward. I was just quilting a quilt tonight and noticed that I took all basting stitches out (except the very edge) prior to quilting and it worked out well. Happy Quilting! Michael

@@michael.quilts Thank you so much!!

@@michael.quilts I was going to ask the same; glad I read all the comments first. And, I agree, your approach to quilting and teaching is calm, not too fast, not too slow; just right. I’ve been long arm quilting (off and on as work permits) for 10 years and am still a beginner. Your lessons are great and I look forward to new postings. Thank you!

Hi Julie - I don't take it out all at once, but instead just as I approach each section to quilt. It's fast. But I guess 5 minutes total time if I did it all at once.

Hi Gwenn. So sorry I am just now responding. That's the Longarm Line Minder. A gadget to help keep things straight as you load quilt backs and tops onto the frame. Here's the link: www.etsy.com/listing/865352483/longarm-line-minder-the-toggle-and?ref=shop_home_active_65