Читать книгу Hexagon Star Quilts - Cathy Perlmutter - Страница 13

How to Baste a Shape

In English paper piecing, there are many ways to baste, but they all boil down to the same thing: folding fabric edges tightly around a stiff shape, with corner folds that all point in the same direction.

Method #1: Glue Stick or Glue Pen

Gluing is much faster than hand basting, and I think it’s more accurate. At home, I usually use a regular school glue stick (purple or white). For tiny pieces, and on the road, I use a glue pen. If you both glue AND iron, it’s even easier and faster.

Method #2: Needle and Thread

This is the traditional method. Take long running stitches through the seam allowances around each shape. Pull the thread tight to bring in the edges. At each corner, take a tacking stitch. This method is very portable, but it’s slow and tricky with tiny shapes.

Running stitch on a hexagonRunning stitch on a square

Method #3: Starch Basting

Spray a little starch or sizing into a shallow dish (I usually use a plastic lid as a dish). With a small paintbrush, paint it onto the cut-out fabric piece just outside the cardstock shape. Wait a moment for the starch or sizing to spread, and then press seam allowances inward. The disadvantage is that the templates may slip out before you want them to. If your printer ink isn’t waterproof, the starch may smear the print on the templates, so test the printouts with a few drops of water first. If it smears, don’t use this technique. You don’t want the ink to leach onto your fabrics.

Apply starch with a small paintbrush.

Method #4: Décor Bond (and Glue Stick), for Machine EPPers

As explained earlier, Décor Bond 809® by Pellon has advantages, most notably that you never rip it out. However, because it’s not as stiff or thick as cardstock, it does make it a little harder to baste accurately. Use a gentle touch—you’ll get better at feeling edges and folding fabric over them. See page for instructions on using Décor Bond.