Vintage Linen Quilt Top Basted

Maybe it's just me...but I HATE basting.  I have tried spray basting and am just not sold on it.  I think I prefer the pins since I know those suckers aren't moving!  Here she is...all laid out.

So, I thought I would also share a technique I learned when I first started quilting about 6 1/2 years ago now.  I am sure I read this somewhere, but I cannot remember.  Once the quilt is ready to be basted, put pins in 1/4 to 1/2 of the quilt, without snapping them closed.  To save your finger tips from the safety pins, use a spoon to snap the pins closed!

Here's a close up of the technique...maybe everyone already knows about this trick, but it was a revelation to me at the time!

Lift the pin up with the spoon....then close with the other hand.

I just had to take a picture at this angle!  My husband got me a telephoto lens for Christmas and I LOVE it!!

Now to quilt...any ideas on how to quilt it?  I will probably do an all-over design, but I'm just not sure yet.  I am working on my niece's quilt next!

WIP Wednesday

I am linking up with Freshly Pieced today for WIP Wednesday...cannot believe I have added to my list!!  Anyway, here is my additional WIP.

New Wave quilt



I was able to get it basted last night...I actually SPRAY BASTED (happy dance!) and was pretty impressed with how quickly it came together.  I have to decide if the extra cost is worth the time saved on the ground safety-pinning my life away.  I don't know about you, but it takes me at least an hour from start to finish to pin-baste a lap-sized quilt.    Cuts the time in half by spraying.  We'll see how it sews together!

Also in the works, but not yet started, are the Kaleidoscope Quilt Along (starting tomorrow) and the Double Wedding Ring Quilt Along (starting 1 July).

AND I found the perfect pattern for my Flea Market Fancy fabric...but will absolutely wait until I get some of these quilts off my WIP list (side panel)!!  I get so excited about starting new projects that I don't finish up what I already have going on.  Hate that!

Basted:
2 Customer quilts--both basted this week

Untouched:
1974--will bind this week
Beach Baby Days
Single Girl--will get finished piecing this week
Deer Valley--stumped on borders
Recess Zig Zag
Scrappy Split Rail
Twiggy
Valentine--will bind this week

This week's stats:
New projects - 3
Completed projects - 0
Currently in progress - 11

Linking up with Freshly Pieced here: