Basting -A new method for me

I use a basting Gun and "tag-baste" my quilt in a "basting frame". When not in use, my basting frame is 4 wooden slats with a piece of fabric stapled to it. I store it in a corner. It is quite a process to set it up- though it only take 15 minutes, some things become "big" and time consuming in your mind. I do have to admit that this is not fool proof- I do sometimes get a pucker on the back.

I decided to try using my Bernina Quilt Frame as a basting frame. First I had to finish my 20 year old hand pieced quilt- the second quilt I quilted on the frame. (This was thread basted before loading on the machine) It was only the one black border that still need to be quilted. I finished that and took it out of the frame. (I still have to turn it to quilt the 2 side borders.)

What I did then, was to fasten the backing to the leaders and roll it. I then placed the wool batting on it and let the top float on top of that. Then I tried to baste the three layers together with the Bernina. The BSR do not allow stitches to be longer than 4. I have watched Sharon Schamber basting her quilt very well- piece by piece before she start quilting it on the frame. My frame quilting is still in the practice stage and this quilt is for a competition- so I want to quilt it without the frame.

I made a few stitches, stopped, lift the needle and the foot and move about 3 inches on and repeat the process. When I rolled the quilt it did make a bubble in front of the roller, but I believe it is normal- the basting is 3 inches apart. I started with some ditch quilting and it look as if this basting method worked well- but I will only be able to confirm this once the quilt is free motioned quilted. It took longer to baste on the frame but I did not have to set up the basting frame and put it all away afterwards. (I know I know it is more a mindset!)

I plan my quilting as I go along. I will show bits of the quilting as I proceed, but will only show the quilt after our National Quilt Festival 1-7 July in Stellenbosch.

Squiggles

A wonderful feature available in the Version 6 Bernina software is the ability to digitize squiggles. (Or stipple stitch as it is called in the software) You just outline the area that you want to fill, press the button and whola! You can adjust your squiggles to make them smaller and have a single, double or triple run of stitches.

Squiggles are a good background quilting design to have around an embroidered design. It flattens the background so that all attention is on the embroidery. The way that squiggles reflect light (in many different directions) is another contributing factor to have the attention moved from the background to the embroidery design.

Even so, it creates a lovely texture on the background- if one do nothing the blandness of the background would draw attention. Squiggles enhance the whole look without competing for attention with the main subject, the embroidery.

If you have the software go to the Bernina site and do this exercise. Experiment and learn how to use this wonderful optional feature. To get the best results, either embroider on the batting or add batting and a backing fabric before the squiggels are stitched.

This is just one of the FREE classes available at the Bernina website.

Giraffe Quilt

While my Bernina 830 "create" a lion in one corner, I finished my Giraffe Quilt top on my Industrial Bernina in the other corner. These wild animals is the creative out put of Susan Wessels. The design sets are available at .zankidesigns.com