Machine Basting for Hand Quilting

Good Morning!  My name is Jessica Dayon and I’m so happy to be here today I’d like to share a fun project with you.

Q 24 on a Frame

Since I got my BERNINA Q 24 on a frame with Q-matic last year, I have been quilting all of my quilts with Q-matic. It is such fun! I love choosing pantographs and seeing them stitch out on my quilt.  But, I do still love to hand quilt.

The other night I decided to make small, whole cloth baby quilt. I gathered my fabric, batting, and safety pins and started spreading everything out on the floor to baste it.  And, then I remembered that my Q 24 has a basting stitch! I could use that instead of basting on the floor with safety pins!

Using a Basting Stitch on the Q 24

Since I planned on doing a whole cloth quilt with some colorful hand quilting, I loaded solid white backing onto the frame.  Then I added the batting and top, which was also solid white.

The Q 24 has 3 basting stitches. SPI 1 quilts one stitch per inch. SPI 2 quilts 2 stitches per inch. And. SPI 4 quilts 4 stitches per inch.

I used SPI 2 basting stitch to stitch along the top edge and down the sides of the quilt. Then, I used SPI 1 basting stitch to baste a line across the middle. I repeated the line across the middle about every 5″ down the whole length of the quilt.

This was so easy and fun! It took mere minutes and my quilt was basted.

Let the Hand Quilting Begin!

Once the quilt is basted, you can use your favorite method. I use different methods at different times depending on what I’m making.  Here I decided to use a quilt stencil and a water-soluble marker to draw the quilting lines onto my quilt top.

Next, I start the hand quilting process! I’m using Perle Cotton No. 8 and doing medium to large stitches to really show off the color.

Q 24 for the win!

Even though I am hand quilting this quilt, my BERNINA Q 24 still helped me get toward the finish line! It is the best long arm sewing machine and I love using it!

Thank you for following along with me today!