Are these just regular 2x4's covered with flannel??? And what exactly is Free Motion Quilting? I have a simple Singer Machine and would love to learn how to quilt with it! Is that even possible??

Thanks for the great tutorial and pics to go with it. You have saved my knees and back!! I will never be on the floor again to baste my quilts. ;-)

I just got my boards a couple of weeks ago and am glad to see the way you can cover them with flannel. I hadn't gotten that far yet. This looks like a simple reliable way to put the quilt together.
Thanks for the pics.
Susan

Wow, I am impressed on two accounts, firstly your quilt is lovely and secondly you have taken the worst faise out of my love of quilting (basting on the floor)! I am converted thanks to your wonderful pictures thankyou so much I shall be getting the MDF and covering them in flannel, I am looking forward to basting my next quilt this way instead of putting it off!! You have made it look so easy and I am sure I shall be able to master this method without any trouble, I may do a smaller quilt unill I get the hang of it.

Gal

Has anyone tried this layout technique but using pins instead of hand basting? Seems like it would work.

AZWendyG- if you don't mind sharing, how much did your boards cost and did you have to cut them yourself from a sheet? I've never bought anything like this before...

(thanks)

I'm so happy that you are finding this info helpful. :thumbup:
I was almost impossible for me to baste a quilt on the floor too, but this process makes basting actually enjoyable for me!

I'm sure you could pin-baste this way as well. I have spray basted (with 505 spray) smaller quilts the same way with great results. It makes it easy to achieve a pucker free basting job without a second person to help.

My MDF boards came from Home Depot pre-cut at 8 feet long and primed, so all I did with this set was staple on the flannel. I have another set for baby quilts that I cut down to 5' lengths, but I know any lumber yard will cut them for you, usually for about 50 cents a cut. These boards were the most inexpensive option I found, but I'm sorry I don't remember the exact cost; I'll check for what they are called and for the price the next time I'm in Home Depot and let you know. If you already have 5/8" plywood or mdf on hand and want to cut your own, you certainly can. Whatever kind of board you use, it is very important that they are extremely straight and even. Otherwise your quilt will get wonky as you roll it up, and then you'd a have a bit of a mess.

By the way, I finished the FMQ on this one and will post pictures as soon as I can.

Gal,

I actually ENJOY basting this way; it's practically pain free (unless I prick my finger with the needle ;) ). It gives me a time to examine my quilt top as I'm basting and start planning how I'll actually quilt it.

If you can find them, be sure to get tables that adjust to counter height. That way you don't have to lean over them and you'll have no back problems with basting either. If you cannot find tables the right height, you can raise them by cutting pieces of pvc pipe to slip over the ends of the legs to raise the tables to a comfortable level.

Me neither! :thumbup:

Your tut is wonderful!! It IS as if we are right there with you!! This is the perfect solution, on so many levels!!!
Thank you!!