I’m planning a series of posts with some of my favorite quilt basting tips. So, I thought I’d start by answering a question that recently came up in one of my machine quilting classes: “What are pool noodles and why do you like them so much?”
Depending on the size of the quilt, the type of batting I’m using, the type of machine quilting I’m planning, and the supplies I have on hand, I may use fusible batting, pin-baste, or spray-baste the layers together.
But I seem to be reaching for my trusty pool noodles and 505 Temporary Adhesive for Fabric more and more lately.
You can see in the above photo that I’ve rolled my quilt top around a red pool noodle from the Dollar Store (Dollar Tree?) to make it easier to handle.
But up until now, I’ve had a definite love/hate relationship with the pool noodles. I love that they are cheap (I paid $1.25 US for mine) and that they are so convenient to use. But I hate that they curve so easily and are rarely nice and straight when pulled from storage.
Which brings me to my new discovery!
My local store carries handles (also $1.25 US) that can be used with an assortment of different heads to make a broom, mop, brush, etc. I had no interest in the heads, but I realized that the handle fits perfectly into the hollow pool noodle.
Not only does this solve the problem of bendy pool noodles, it also allows me to join two pool noodles to accommodate larger quilts.
Ta-Da! I’m so delighted with this discovery. It’s the little things in life, right?
Happy Quilting!
