i gave mine away and use fusible batting mostly now or spray fusible.

texan

what fusible batting do you use?

i'm using pellon and its very thin. its fine for wall art but for a bed quilt i don't think i would use it.

Have you tried Basting spray? I use that and have not had any problems. I even have some that have stayed together after 2 years.

Here are a couple of sites about the basting gun.

If the needle is long enough, bring it through both layers like a straight pin, it will hold the layers together tighter, instead of just front to back. You also don't have to worry about using a grid. I bought one because it is so much faster and I cannot stand for as long as I use to because of my back and knees.

http://www.quiltersreview.com/article.asp?

article=/review/product/010129_a.asphttp://www.dreamweavers-quilts.com/q...a-tagging-gun/

There are quite a few articles on the web, just google how to use a quilting basting gun.

Good luck

This site has really good phots on how to use the gun as well.

http://www.dreamweavers-quilts.com/q...a-tagging-gun/

Save your money.

I had one long before the longarm, then got rid of it. It didn't hold as precisely as I wanted, it left holes, and I managed to cut a hole in the top trying to remove a bazillion of them in a quilt. Cut one hole in a finished quilt and you'll be done, too.

I think it is personal preference.

I love mine and have several friends that like their's as well. I know it takes a little practice. Most of the people I have talked to that did not like it, only really tried it once or twice. You do need to practice, just a little.

Check out some of the webs sites and forums online. It gets good review and many of the forums talk about some of the problems and how to avoid them. Good luck.

the only fusible batting i've used so far is Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 fusible.
i just soak my quilts when done and spin dry to get any residue out.

thank you for letting me know i'll have to give that product a try.

I use a microtach - it leaves tiny holes in SOME fabrics but they disappear. I hand quilt in a grace hoop and nothing so far has shifted. I've so far done small hangings and a lap quilt with no problems and am half way through a queensize - no shifting so far! As shaverg says it's personal preference, I don't like the idea of the chemicals in the sprays.

K x