Basting 3 Ways: A Guide to Prepping Your Quilt Sandwich

When it comes to quilting, basting is an essential step to ensure your layers stay secure while you sew. It’s what holds together the quilt top, batting, and backing—the "quilt sandwich"—so you can quilt without any shifting. Here’s how to create your quilt sandwich and three popular methods to baste it.

Prepping Your Quilt Sandwich

Before you start basting, it’s crucial to layer your quilt properly:

1. Lay your backing fabric flat on your workspace, with the right side facing down.
2. Spread the batting on top of the backing.
3. Finally, place your quilt top (right side facing up) on the batting to complete your sandwich.

With your layers in place, it’s time to choose a basting method. Here are three common techniques:

1. Pin Basting

Pin basting is a reliable, easy-to-learn technique. Simply:

- Lay your quilt sandwich flat.
- Insert safety pins every 3”-5” apart across the surface of your quilt.
- Curved safety pins are ideal for basting as they are easier to work with, but regular safety pins will do the job as well.

This method is great if you prefer a hands-on approach and don’t mind the extra time it takes to secure your layers.

We recommend Dritz Curved Safety Pins!

2. Spray Basting

If you're looking for speed, spray basting might be your best option. However, it can be a bit messy, so make sure you have some extra space!

- Start by rolling down the top third of your quilt sandwich.
- Spray a temporary adhesive onto the backing fabric.
- Smooth the batting back over the sprayed area.
- Repeat this process, working in thirds, to attach the batting to the backing and then the quilt top to the batting.

Spray basting can save time, but make sure to use it in a well-ventilated space and be careful of overspray.

We recommend Odif 505 Spray and Fix Temporary Adhesive! Click here to read more about sewing with adhesives!

3. Fusible Basting

Fusible basting involves using heat-activated adhesive, like fusible tape or double-sided fusible webbing.

- You can use fusible tape as temporary "tacks" between your quilt layers.
- Alternatively, apply fusible webbing to both sides of the batting, sandwich your layers, and use an iron to bond the layers together.

This method offers excellent precision and is less messy than spray basting.

We recommend By Annie's Double Sided Basting Tape!

Ready, Set, Quilt!

Once you’ve basted your quilt sandwich using one of these methods, you're ready to start quilting. Each basting technique has its benefits, so feel free to experiment and find which method works best for your style and project.