Candace

My experience exactly!

AliKat

I have the QuiltTak gun [<cite> www.quiltak.com </cite>] that I use to put my end of the quilt top on my HQ leader. I can get closer with the machine than with needles or with red snappers. [Definitely do NOT get the Dritz brand!]

The QuiltTak doesn't leave a big hole and has different sizes of tacks available.

I wouldn't use it for basting a quilt as there might be more give than I want.

For smaller project I either machine baste ... or if they are really small hand baste my projects. I have used spray basting but with the HQ don't use it anymore.

ali

thepolyparrot

The first one I bought fell apart. The second one, an Avery brand with a fine needle and tags is a GEM! I've used it for many quilts and haven't even had to change the needle yet.

I don't punch straight down and fire, though. I go into the top at an almost-level oblique angle, pick up the backing fabric and come back up and then fire, so that both ends of the tag are on the top of the quilt. I use a Kwik Klip tool to brace the needle tip and push the fabric as far onto the needle as it will go.

It's my favorite method of basting. I will never use spray basting again. If there is any poly in your batting or fabric, the propellants can react with the poly and will remain sticky enough to gum up your needle. Gummed needles = skipped stitches. I had one vintage scrappy that I ended up throwing away because I could NOT stitch more than an inch before I needed to clean the needle. I have used 505, June Tailor, Sullivans and EmbTech sprays and since I didn't keep track of which ones have caused trouble, but ALL of them say not to use them on polyester, so they have probably all got the same problem. Lots of people use them and love them, but they've been frustrating enough for me that I'm willing to use ANY other method to baste than sprays.


When I run low on the fine tags for the Avery gun, I will buy the MicroStitch brand - people who have tried both apparently find the MicroStitch even nicer to work with.

thepolyparrot

I found the Micro-Stitch, replacement needle and packages of black and white tags at Overstock.com:
http://www.overstock.com/search?keyw...rchType=Header I went ahead and ordered them to try on my next quilt.

But, really, the Avery with fine needle works very well and you would be happy with it - just be sure to use to use the Kwik Klip or a similar tool to help you load the needle.

Saves your fingers and it goes unbelievably fast!

nycquilter

my mom bought me one ages ago for a gift. I tried it and really wanted to like it. But, I didn't. In fact, I hated it. You can't easily pull them out so if you don't plan perfectly where you will quilt, you have to stop, cut, and resume. Yuck, at least IMHO

thepolyparrot

I found the tag cutter that makes removing the tacks instant - the ONLY place I could find them was on eBay, though. Good seller, so I didn't mind at all: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Collins-Tack...-/310303294318

It looks like she has an online store, now: http://www.shorelinehandwerks.com/se...-B-Gone/Detail

GagaSmith

I got mine about 15 years ago and it was junk. Put holes in the fabric too. They may be better now.

Buckeye Rose

its basting spray for me....no tucks ever

SewSydney

Do you remove the tags as you quilt? I like the method but ended up with tags all through my machine when I last used the gun. I like the look of that little tag remover too, not sure if I can get it here in Australia but will look for it at the Sydney Craft Fair on Thursday. Thank you for the link and hints on how you get the best results.

deedum

I have one, sometimes I use one and pin some too. I don't like the mess of basting. I would prefer to pin.