Basting a Quilt

The weather was rainy and gloomy yesterday afternoon. What better time to baste something bright!!!!
This was finished earlier this summer, and spent time on the back of the bar stools downstairs waiting to be basted.

I start basting on the foyer floor. I tape the backing and then lay on the batting and top. I sew one way about 10 inches apart to stabilize the quilt, then pick it up and move it to the island in the kitchen. I crawl around on the hard floor for a minimum of time!!!!!! Once on the island it is much more comfortable. I baste about 5-6 inches apart in all directions.
This quilt will get machine and hand quilting. The applique work is all hand done.
This is about as big a quilt as I can comfortably machine quilt. I plan to stabilize the quilt with machine quilting in the ditch on many of the straight seams. Then I can start the hand quilting.

It is very quiet in the house with John gone. Today is a day at home - basting, laundry, etc. I also plan to get in a good walk outside.
I work on Wednesday and will be in Ypsilanti for High Scope training on Thursday and Friday. That should help pass the time while John is on his golf outing.

Friday evening I look forward to a drive to Flint with friends for the grand opening of the "Ciao, Italy" quilts at the Greater Flint Arts Council Gallery.