Baste That Quilt!

I am way behind on quilting the (rather large) number of quilt tops I have accumulated.  I have a good excuse, I swear!  I can't tell what it is yet, but it's a really good one!  I decided I'd at least baste a few so I'd feel productive.

This one is a custom order.  It's a full size replica of a baby quilt I made last year.  I love Domestic Bliss and that Anna Maria Horner print paired together!

This one I just made for fun.  I had the idea in my head and I just HAD to make it!  Ever feel like that?

Here's what the full top looks like.  

Finally got around to basting my Wonderland quilt too!  I so love this line!  It was actually harder for me to use the backing fabric that it was to cut into my last two charm packs! I really dig that patchwork print!

I managed to baste my Scrappy Trip Along quilt too!  I started with the backing fabric here and chose the prints for the front basted on that palette. 

Here's what that one looks like on top.

Last but not least, I basted the quilt top I made for my mom months and months ago!  Her favorite fabric line is Nest and I managed to get enough FQs to make her a throw.

This is the full top view.

It was a marathon of basting, though, sadly, I still have a few more quilt tops!  For those of you who are curious, I use 505 basting spray which I buy at www.sewforless.com  I have a basting video tutorial here.  

Many Projects, FAQ, and a Basting Video

These are the three quilts I completed Friday night!

The quilt in the video.

Back side view

Close up of binding with invisible thread.

I just love this pattern!  I used Camille's version from her Simplify book, but I know there is a Moda Bakeshop tutorial for something similar!

I made these pillow covers Saturday night.  They're for a giveaway at a workshop I'm attending next weekend in Nashville.

I'm also playing around with some Amy Butler Love charms I've had for 2 years!  It was about time to use them in something!  I think this will be a nice size lap quilt (about 50"x60").

Who knew my FMQ video would spark so many questions?!?!?  I'm going to try and answer all of them here so I don't have to continually send the same emails. :)  I'm also posting a video of how I baste.

1.  I have a Baby Lock Symphony--no, I do not have a stitch regulator

2.  I use Gutterman poly thread for everything.  Aurifil doesn't like me, but my friend Tracey has the same machine and she loves Aurifil, go figure!

3.  I spray baste using 505

4.  I use size 80 or 90 needles to FMQ

5.  I machine stitch binding to the BACK of my quilts then use invisible thread to stitch it to the front. 

6.  I don't use any particular brand of invisible thread, just whatever is at the store when I need it

7.  I cut my binding at 2.25" on the straight grain unless I'm using premade bias binding.

8.  I can get about 5 lap size quilts or 10 baby size quilts from one can of 505.  This is a rough estimate.

9.  The style of FMQ I use is very easy for me in part because I used to draw and paint a lot and one of my favorite things to draw is underwater scenes (I'm a Pieces, ha ha!).  Do you see where this is going?  I drew seaweed ALL THE TIME so the movement to create the stipple look comes naturally from that.  I would suggest doodling to find what movement comes naturally to you and translate that on to a quilt rather than try and copy how other people do it.  This is the only form of FMQ that I can do easily.  I try and make swirls and it looks like a hot mess!  Stick with what you know!

Here's a little video of me spray basting!