Leah Day's Explore Walking Foot Quilting: Desert Sand

Leah's new design is called Desert Sand.  She has words and video on her website @ https://leahday.com/pages/how-to-quilt-desert-sand-walking-foot-quilting-tutorial

Took a couple of looks at the video, and the book to plan out my initial quilting line.  Although mine looks different than Leah's, I'm really pleased with it.

It took me longer as I misplaced the fabric I had cut to make the backing so I had to get out other fabric and make up a few blocks.  In the process I straightened up my sewing room a bit so that was good I guess.

I used some new-to-me basting spray to put together these sandwiches, and didn't notice until I was about half done with the stitching that the places where I double sprayed have a different color.  You can see in the photo below...

Doesn't show on the back as far as I can see...

I had prepared two sandwiches at the same time, so I removed the fabric from the unquilted one and put it in the wash with some towels. (thinking the heat and/or soap might melt it away)

But the stain did not go away.  I used 409 to remove the over spray from the counter so I sprayed the fabric and was able to get most of the glue off the back fabric with a  toothbrush, and washed again but there is still some color.  With work I could remove all the glue.

409 won't help the desert sand sample I finished up unfortunately.  That glue will always be in the quilted sandwich. : (

HDX Multi-Purpose Spray Adhesive - Purchased at Home Depot

This is the spray I used for the basting.  A friend uses it and recommended it.  (It's less expensive than the stuff one buys at quilting or fabric store.)  But probably she sprayed the batting instead of the fabric too so there is no problem then.  Also she sprays outside on a piece of plywood that she doesn't care about over spraying, so guess she doesn't double up on the spray.  And she perhaps has only used with dark fabric.  So I still think there is a chance of using this for quilt basting.  

Added: I blogged about my friend's spray basting when she helped in 2016 - in rereading that see that she usually used an unknown to me 3M product.  She sprayed on the backing, applied the batting, then sprayed the batting and applied the top - and the top she was helping me with was all dark fabric.

But I will use Dritz or 505 Quilting Spray Adhesive again for real quilt tops.  I'm glad this was just a block that was wrecked. 

** I just searched for "Quilting Spray Adhesive" and see there are several other brands to try too...

Afternoon of Basting

As with many things in my life, I spent a ton more time thinking about basting than it actually took me to do the project...

I set up two tables in the back yard and put short candle holders on the table to help hold down the fabric.

I loosened the batting by putting in the dryer for a little spin, and first put that on the table.

Then I put the backing with the wrong side down on top of the batting (so I could see the right side of the backing).  I folded the backing back about half way, then sprayed about one foot of the back of the backing that was exposed.  Then I use my hands to press the backing to the batting.  I starting in the center then worked each side.  I pulled the backing back until I could feel the pull of the spray basting, and repeated.  Once I was done with the back I flipped it over so I could put the top of the quilt down so I could see the design, and I repeated the steps of folding back, spraying, pressing down.

I had a little trouble being sure I had backing that was a little larger than the front since my helper really enjoyed jumping on the fabric once I put it on the carpet!

Once I had things spray basted I put the quilts on the floor for a photo, and my helper, Buffy, came down the stairs so she could enjoy the bounciness of the quilt sandwiches....

Well, my plan is to get a photo of the quilts so I can draw on the proposed quilting!  We'll see how that goes tomorrow.

The teacher I mentioned previously who does not want us to take photos of any of her projects or projects we create in her class following her patterns, is a big proponent of binding /before/ quilting so I'm planning on trying that with these three not from her class so I can share photos charity quilts.  The smaller one will have wider binding so it will end up being around 42 inches square.  The middle one will be done first as it will have regular binding.  The larger one with the pieced backing will be around 45 x 60 inches, but I'm going to try my hand at binding so the edges have gentle scallops.

(I also have a few quilts that are already quilted as part of 2016 One Month Goals that are ready for binding too so hopefully I'll get pretty accomplished with this binding step by finishing them up! Photos will be coming! )

January 2016 OMG - Tumbler 
March 2016 OMG - Cultural Fusion Windmills
Sept 2016 Nine QAYG Blocks for Charity

I didn't really keep track of the time, but think it finally took me under three hours to get these three quilts where they are now.  I had to plan which fabrics to use for the backing, find the batting in my closet, and in one case sew the backing too before actually spraying them.  Also had to press everything.  Lovely that no pins were needed so far!  Even after Buffy jumping around them the pieces are secure!

 : )

We went over friends tonight to watch the surfers and sunset while chatting, sipping wine and nibbling on snacks.