Quilt Finishes: The long July 4 holiday provided an opportunity to get some stuff done. I finished two baby quilts (basting, quilting, binding). I don't do any fancy quilting on them--they are utility quilts. Accordingly, I take pains in piecing and binding, but for quilting I follow the seam lines or do wavy quilting. I also basted the top of my large Hunter's Star quilt to the batting, and I began piecing the back. I had several orphan blocks from the Hunter's Star as well as some practice blocks for LeMoyne Star (the non-cheater way) that I could nicely fit in a a couple of banded rows on the back.
Here's an old quilt top that I paired with adorable elephant print for backing. It is hard to beat the quick assembly of an alternating patch for baby quilts. You've also seen me substitute a 4 patch for the solid square which makes it a little less plain. My quilting was simply stitch in the ditch which makes for a fast finish. I don't feel apologetic for plainness. To make a plain quilt is still an investment of time and money. Plus plain quilts such as this really show off cute juvenile fabrics.
I have a portable monitor and a fire stick. I shuttle the monitor between the kitchen and my sewing area. I have old PC speaker systems that sound quite nice in both places. A cheap and efficacious way to enjoy watching stuff while working. It takes a bit of the drudgery out of repetitive tasks. Yes, I could use that time for mindful mediation....but most times I don't!
Lost Quilt Top: My Hunter's Star baby quilt was supposed to be in my quilt finishes but I cannot find it. Good reason to tidy up! (It has since been found; quilted; needs to be trimmed and bound)
Basting: To baste my quilts, I use fusible webbing. I have both Stitch Witchery (on the bolt) and MistyFuse. I buy both in bulk...but it is an investment--both in good results and less frustration. I have a large 24x48" ironing surface that I use to fuse. I was able to do my 60 x 72 quilt fairly easily, and baby quilts are a breeze.
Fusible web comes in many package sizes. I buy the bolt--it is something that I use in quantity, so I buy in quantity to get the best price that I can. Bolt widths for both Stitch Witchery and Mistyfuse are 20". I found that in bulk, Stitch Witchery (is about 10% cheaper than Misty Fuse in bulk. I will pull off a length from the bolt about 18". I then keep folding the product until I have a tightish roll and cut in 1/2-1" sections. (Yes, you can buy this in the size already, but you pay dearly for that convenience.)
I place these in a container and then take them to my ironing station. I unroll a length and place it on the batting in a continuous line, spaced about 2-3 inches apart vertically. You could also make squares and treat it as a "pin". You could also fuse the whole thing...but that gets expensive.
Using the highest heat setting and steam ensures good fusion in good time. And while you do this, you can enjoy a beverage and a binge watch to make the time go by. Or, you could engage in mindfulness meditation. Or...you have plenty of time to do both, because basting no matter which method use is TIME CONSUMING.
💡 It is important not to distort you seam lines. Lay it straight. Smooth it out. I do not find that this smoothing process adversely affects Press. I work from the middle out. The fusible web keeps everything secure.
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