I woke up this morning feeling particularly creaky. My back was really sore, I couldn’t seem to unwind into an upright position. What, I wondered, was the problem?
About twenty minutes later, fueled by some freshly brewed coffee, I remembered. Oh yeah, I spent over two hours yesterday pin basting my quilt. On my hands and knees. Hunched over. That might be the source of this morning’s problem.
But the adventure started before I laid it all out on the floor. Because I sometimes do things on impulse, i.e., buy the backing fabric online, I immediately had a problem. The ironing board was set up, the iron was heating up and I opened up the folded backing fabric to press it. What? Had there been some sort of misunderstanding? It seemed long and narrow, this 4+ yards that I had ordered.
Then it hit me. Duh. Since I usually order bolts of fabric that are especially made for backings – 108 or 110 inches wide – I forgot that this fabric was only 44 inches wide. Uh oh. Could I somehow salvage it by piecing the fabric together for the back?
The short answer is yes. But it added some time to my all-figured-out schedule. Live and learn.
If you’ve never pin basted, it involves 4 steps:
• lay background fabric out on the floor, right side down, taping it (I use painter’s tape) so that it remains secure
• lay batting on top of the backing
• lay quilt top on top of the batting, right side facing up
• starting in the center, pin all three layers together. I usually pin every 4 or 5 inches and that seems to work for me. Take care to pin the outside edges, as well.
Oh wait, there’s five steps:
• Get up after pinning and feel sore all over.
No, I meant to say six steps:
• Feel even worse the next day.
I know lots of people use a basting spray. I’m a bit old school. I pin.
Then, I experienced a mild panic when I couldn’t find my tin of hand quilting supplies. Did I forget to pack it? I immediately envisioned having to find the time to make a trip in the car to Joann’s or some quilt shop. I looked in the boxes I packed. Nope.
Oh wait, there it was, on the floor of the closet, functioning as a sort of stand for my iron. Why, I don’t know.
Ah, there it is, full of thread. And needles. And markers. But now that I look at it, I’m wondering if there’s any white thread in there. I usually use ivory or ecru or gray. I need white for this quilt. I’d better go look.
I’m back. There is. Sigh of relief.
There’s the rest of my pins! I’ll probably pin some more, just to make sure everything is secure so the layers don’t shift.
After all the piecing and sewing and pressing seams and kneeling and taping and pinning and duck walking, my plans for starting the quilting later in the evening changed. I ate some dinner and watched 2 episodes of House of Cards instead.
But it’s ready to go. (Take note of hideous nubby fabric on home-away-from-home chairs.)
A little Don story: You all know that I snatched my handmade quilt off our bed and transported it here to the apartment, right? I substituted our older pale aqua bedspread. At the time I told you that I didn’t think Don would care one way or the other.
The conversation during our ride back to Hartford:
Me: Have you even noticed that the quilt I made is gone from our bed?
Don: No.
Me: You didn’t notice that the aqua spread is back on the bed?
Don: (with a grin) No.
Me: I knew it!
See? At least I’ve trained him to make the bed at some point in the day.
Have to go. I have a very long day of rehearsal today. And another one tomorrow.
Happy Saturday.
Your quilt is beautiful! I love the cheery colors. I’m sure it’s worth every sore muscle you have today. :) I pin my quilts too and then baste them. I had several fights with quilts that I didn’t put together well before basting. They taught me my lesson.
BTW, I love the freshness of your blog and plan to look around for awhile. I don’t think I’ve ever been here before but I’ve enjoyed my visit.
Wishing you a Happy Pink Saturday!
Sherry @ A Happy Valentine
Thanks so much for stopping by, Sherry! Welcome.
Good Morning Claudia, Your quilt is looking gorgeous! Have a good day, Doris
You too, Doris!
I enjoy your blog and look forward to your posts everyday. You always have something interesting to write about – so thank you for that.
My first thought as I read what you wrote this morning was….is she still in Hartford? really? It seems like you have been there forever. Weeks and weeks have gone by and you’re still there. I don’t even know you and I can’t wait for you to get back home! Is the end in sight anytime soon?
Yes, I’m still here. I’ve been here nearly a month and I have another 4 weeks to go. We’re rehearsing 2 plays at the same time, hence the longer rehearsal process.
I think I will go take 2 Tylenol. My back and knees hurt just from reading about your pinning efforts yesterday. I know the results will be spectacular though and well worth it.
Yes, it’s worth it and I’m already feeling a bit more spry as the day progresses.
Your quilt is going to be gorgeous…and so worth the sore back! Husbands…they are something! Enjoy your weekend! ;)
You too, Donna!
Claudia, thank you for this post. Funny and pretty. The quilt is so gorgeous, hoping to see the adjusted backing soon.
I lost my husband to his cancer last week . I’ve been seeking normality in daily routines such as reading my favorite blogs. Your ambition inspires me to finish my own quilt tops and use up my stash of fabrics. Keep showing us the bits and pieces of your interesting life, please. Hedy
Dear Hedy, I am so very sorry for your loss. Words fail me. If this blog is a small source of comfort for you, I am happy. Bless you. xo Claudia
I love this quilt..the way the blocks alternate direction..it is going to be a beauty..Isn’t it wonderful..the way men take notice to the things we do around the home..NOT..lol..
Nope. If I bring his attention to something, then he’ll be properly appreciative. But if it’s the day to day stuff…no notice at all!
Good afternoon Claudia, As usual your words have put a smile on my face. Your quilt is coming along, hunched shoulders and all. I love the way you have decided to put it together. It kind of reminds me of a nine patch. Kind of , sort of.
Make sure not to wear yourself out at the theater, you need to save some of yourself for your quilting.
Hah! Do they expect me to actually do my job when I have some hand quilting to do?
If they do expect real work from you they are awfully nervy.
Yes they are!
Claudia
Your quilt is going to be so nice when it’s finished.
I like the cottage looking fabrics you have chosen.
There’s no way around it, pinning a quilt is back breaking.
I’ve done a few and never look forward to it!
No, it’s a necessary evil, isn’t it? Ah well. Now, it’s done! Until the next one.
Isn’t it the pitts that we suffer when we do something we so love to do? Oh well…….
Judy
Yes! Why do we have to suffer….
Your post title cracked me up. That is exactly how I put a quilt together, but I always machine quilt it. My back hurst after quilting all day, it must be a tense position. My favorite go to thread color is camel, it goes with everything and blends in nicely.
SInce the background on this one is white, I have to go with white thread this time.
Loved the story about pin basting your quilt. If you were “really” old school, you would baste with thread and needle. :-). Hope the pains go away and you get to do some quilting soon. Darling quilt.
I’ve done that form of basting, too. Many times!
…..Oh!!!! Men!!!!!….& they probably think we are nuts for spending 2 hours on the floor pinning a quilt that tomorrow will kill us!!!!!
Next time try to remember to stretch-out before and take little stretching breaks during…works for me!!!!
I stretched. But my lower back is finicky. It didn’t like all that floor work!
I pin baste too but I use my dining room table ….I felt sore just READING about you doing it on the floor :)
Gosh darn it, my table isn’t big enough, Debra!
Love, love ,love that quilt..Gonna be a giveaway??? LOL..I tried..
No way! That one is for me!xoxo
Just now getting a chance to read this! Thank you for the mini quilting tutorial. I was given a sewing machine earlier this year, and I’ve been hoarding ‘fat quarters’ (bizarre new language for me) of material since April. I’m going to try to make a quilt! I’ve discovered the most beautiful fabrics that are actual ART! I’m excited, and you have given some much-needed guidance! Thanks!
There are so many beautiful fabrics out there, Lori! Have fun!