Basting Down the Top and Sides

[@aprilochelli]

Thank you so much for showing how to cut your thread when you are finished sewing. Such a simple thing, but I couldn't find this anywhere. I have been climbing underneath the quilt to cut the bobbin thread since I got my machine. Not so easy at my age! I have learned more from your videos than anything I have found on the handiquilter tutorials.

[@studioon125th7]

OMG!! Where have you been all my sewing-life!!????? I'm so glad I found you!! I have one suggestions - switch to a white wine, It doesn't leave any stains if you spill!!!!

[@lauraroberts8879]

New owner. Needed this beginner information. Thank you.

[@glendasimpson3362]

Another lesson learned! The ruler trick looks better than running over your fingers. Thank you!

[@adamsewfun.]

I hope you haven't ran over your fingers but I do love using that Versa Tool

[@glendasimpson3362]

@@adamsewfun. I have extremely long nails for that purpose, you only run over the nail one time to remember move it or lose it!

[@Luvsquilting]

This is outright amazing. What a good teacher! Professor Adam!

[@Playlist-bc9rp]

I could never baste without getting lots of pleats and gathers but I tried your method and the basting was perfect. Thank you so much!

[@sarahlewy1]

I am looking forward to doing my next baste with a ruler! Great tip

[@ilsemanche8476]

I’m so happy to find this video! I’ve been avoiding basting the sides because I always get ripples when I use channel locks. Can’t wait to try this method 😊

[@pattyminnich2725]

Your screen doesn’t look the same. Newbie here trying to do this. Would love a video just for newbies. Used the burrito method. Took me a couple times , but I got it. Thank you!

[@cindyswoveland2277]

What a great way to baste using the ruler! I have had problems with this since I started and my friend told me about your video. Great tip. Thank you!

[@terrigunning5745]

You are a great teacher Adam.

[@gailmatthias9659]

Cool! I channel lock my batting but will switch to basting the top with the versa tool. Thanks for the tip!

[@karencook5475]

Can't wait to baste my next quilt by this method!

[@laurawhittaker6812]

Thank you fir this tutorial. I have a Moxie with no pro stitcher so I am using the rubber channel lock and it’s hard to lock it in place to make a straight line. I will definitely use the versa tool to baste my quilt top

[@Bogey_and_bobbins]

Great loading and basting vids. Thanks.

[@janicemorgan4629]

Wow, I never thought of using the versa tool to help with basting down and this could really help me on the sides when they aren't perfectly straight and channel lock doesn't always catch the sides.

[@gleanet]

Love your easy fun attitude towards the whole process!

[@adamsewfun.]

I try to make it easy, fun, and fast.

[@annettecavalieri771]

thank....I want to try the versa tool...looks like a great way for a beginner like me to improve what I am doing! 🙂

[@bobbidelsing5569]

Certainly will try Versa tool! Thanks.

[@katysacher8293]

Hi Adam, I am seriously considering a HQ Amara purchase. I need to really understand what I might be getting into. Thanks so much for this fabulous tutorial!

[@drewrichardson8789]

Thankyou. I will try the versa tool

[@sandan2358]

Great video! I don’t have electronic channel locks so using a ruler to baste would be so much easier. Thank you!

[@adamsewfun.]

What kind of machine do you have? Handi Quilter sells channel locks that are $10 I believe. They are little clamps that go on the wheels of the machine to make it run either horizontal or vertical. I would definitely look into these if only for creating the plumb line. My joke is the edge next to the plumb line is the only edge of my quilt that is straight.

[@jase1003]

Again, revolutionizes how to baste down. I have never been successful basting, so didn’t do it. This is great. Would love for you address tension of the quilt. Yours is taunt, if I make mine taunt, I have issues with thread shredding. Maybe a tutorial on the tension of the quilt sandwich & thread tension? Thank you again. Very helpful

[@adamsewfun.]

I do tend to have my quilts a bit tighter than most. I'm not a fan when they are too loose. Try to tighten it like you normally do, then relax it 3-4 clicks on the side ratchet. That might help you. Side note, was the sound better on this video? I'm really trying to find where the issue is. Thanks again.

[@jase1003]

@@adamsewfun. Sound was much better, thank you.

[@adamsewfun.]

@@jase1003 Thank you, I will have to see how I can get things fixed and everyone can hear me. In real life, I'm usually too loud. LOL

[@monicacooper8839]

I’m new to long arm, and self taught. Trial and error, mostly error. So glad I found your tutorials. Easy to follow. Thank you !

[@carolmccartney5450]

Hi, Adam. How do you prevent quilt shift as you're going? I was doing a quilt last weekend, basted very similarly to what you were doing, and by the time I got to the bottom of the quilt, it was skewed toward the bottom right -- several inches! I just let it be, because I just wanted the quilt DONE, but for future reference, I'd like to keep it as square as possible. This quilt started off slightly out of square horizontally,, but pretty well square vertically. Thanks!

[@adamsewfun.]

First, do you pin or float? I find more people who have a top shift on them are part of the “floating” family. Also, if it not square to start with, you can’t make magic without the possibility of a tuck in the quilt somewhere. I keep my tops tight and baste everything. If you know you have a super square quilt, you can baste some horizontal lines as you go. That will help keep things in place.

[@janeenpearson5339]

LIke the idea of using the ruler. Have tried both finger walking and the channel locks but either does not allow me consistent success. Think the ruler might be just the right thing.

[@JuliePettyjohn]

Adam, Recently I've felt my channel lock was NOT giving me a straight line. Then I measured and saw that my leader comes in more at the middle than the ends. I purchased a new leader about 6 months ago, so I wouldn't think it should be stretched out. Any ideas?

[@adamsewfun.]

Not sure but you can check to make sure your hook and loop is straight at the bar. I know sometimes I pull my leader and it shifts.

[@markvaillancourt2911]

Thanks for all your videos! I'm starting late, I am 68 and we just got our 1st long arm, an Amara 20. You are a very good teacher and we'd love to get to one of your classes if you ever make it to the midwest (we are in INDY). Is it ok to just leave the ruler base on for the rest of the quilt stitching using Pro-Stitcher?

[@jadm222]

Absolutely, just keep in mind you will lose a little bit of quilting space because the base will run into your front bars. I keep mine one until I need that extra inch. You are going to be great with your new machine, I know it!

[@markvaillancourt2911]

@@jadm222 -Thank you so much! We do a practice quilt 1st to test out our design selections, but are just starting the quilting on our 2nd quilt. Also I recently saw your video on stitching in the ditch. We did not do that on the first one but are going to on this one, it is fairly good sized.

[@markvaillancourt2911]

On the quilt we are starting now, our second one, I'm having an issue with a 5 1/2-inch border. The design I am using is Sunflower Love Border Two and Corner Two from the Susan Manry folder in PS. When I put them in on my practice quilt at the same size everything worked fine. On the actual quilt, I'm setting up everything the same way and when I start quilting it quilts like it is in slow motion, although the stitching on top of itself. I have seen this happen before when trying to shrink a design into an area that is apparently too small for the design, which in those cases the stitching moves very slowly and the stitching appears to stitch on top of itself. Any advice? -Thank you!

[@DebbieBrown-rl2zj]

Great video. thank you. Do you ever baste all the way down a quilt, as opposed to section by section? If you do, what are the criteria you use when you decide to pre-baste all the way? Thank you!

[@adamsewfun.]

I only do this with a super custom or wholecloth quilt. Even then, I am basting the whole quilt, sides and middle. Never just the sides. I have a video basting a wholecloth quilt and the way I do it.

[@anapsrio]

Hi Adam. Super new with quilting here. I am wondering, why to use the ruler instead of channel lock? It is just so we keep 1/4 inch. Just wondering. Thanks.

[@adamsewfun.]

This is just a personal preference thing. I used to quilt for the public, so I wouldn't always get tops there were totally square. If you channel lock and someone has created a top that has a pieced border, sometimes all the blocks don't make it all the way to the top. If I have a channel lock on, I might miss stitching down all the edges. Also, the ruler helps me hold things down and the top doesn't get pushed to the side while I'm stitching across the top. Again, just the way I like to do it, but whatever way works best for you is also good.

[@anapsrio]

@@adamsewfun. Thank you so much Adam. Super helpful to know that it is optional. I tried yesterday. :)

[@BetMey1]

I like your method of using the ruler to baste. Is it better to have the ruler base on to do the basting with the ruler? If I am doing a self guided pantograph (because I do not have Pro Stitcher) and I want to use the ruler method - not sure how to go about attaching ruler base and removing it efficiently to proceed with the pantograph and then when I need to advance the quilt - would I need to attach the ruler base again to baste the sides?? Or can I leave the ruler base on while doing the pantograph?? I am new at this and truly appreciate your videos.

[@adamsewfun.]

Betty, anytime you do anything with a ruler, you have to have the ruler base on! It's super dangerous trying to work a ruler without the base because there just isn't enough room for that ruler to sit comfortable. I always leave my base on but you do lose about an inch of stitching space when it's on. If your pantograph fits with the ruler base on, it's ok to always leave it on. Try it out and see if you like it and thanks for watching. Stay tuned for more content in the future.

[@traceyianmcwhinnie3013]

Don't have a Versatool .... no matter what I try I end up with bubbles..... ready to give up

[@linnyellis]

Is there a reason for not putting on the side clamps when basting?

[@adamsewfun.]

I don't use them when basting the very top of the quilt because they would pull the backing and cause the backing and the top to be different. When basting down the sides, I sometimes have them on and sometime don't. You really should baste then put the clamps on so the tension is the same throughout but I haven't noticed a huge difference is the top and the backing bars are clicked tight. Everyone has their own ideas, I just find either way works for me.

[@lucygreenwald956]

Do you ever float your quilts?

[@adamsewfun.]

I don't, it's just not for me. There is nothing wrong with it and I know many great quilters who do, I feel like I personally get better results when I pin the tops on. When I have something small, I might float it, but I mean just larger than my throat. I even pin when I am doing a Dream Big Panel which is just larger than 40 inches.

[@delaneydelaney3720]

adam where did u get your leader zippers

[@adamsewfun.]

The Quilting Connection in Elkhorn, WI. Give them a call, Angie can answer all of your questions. They are fantastic.

[@zxedzoicks8041]

Somehow I got unsubbed. Fixed it.

[@sheriejones6730]

Love your videos…usually…I’m not hating on you but the minute you start singing I have to leave the video…sorry! 😢