You Could be Swinging on a Back-Basting Star

print for applique back-baste star

Monkey and I included a layout for back-basting stars in the new 5-Pointed Star shape collection.

print for applique back-baste star

The prep is over. The sewing can begin!

applique back-baste star

Yup. This is why it is called back-basting!

applique back-baste star

Big needle, thick thread.

trim for applique back-baste star

Leave a narrow turn-under.

applique back-baste star

My thread will match the appliqué shape.

needle-turnfor applique back-baste star

The essence of back-basting stars

Remove a few stitches at a time, so you can use the line of holes to tuck the turn-under into position.

applique back-baste star

All done? Nope.

print for applique back-baste star

Not finished. It’s time to start another one! (My appliqué points need some practice.)

applique back-baste star

You might prefer back-basting stars or you might prefer the points we get when we piece the stars. (Monkey’s choice.)

applique back-baste star

Changing thread color.

applique or piece 5-pointed star

Which do you prefer?

I haven’t done much appliqué lately. I think I’ll re-read the chapter about appliqué in The Inklingo Handbook and practice my points on a few more—five at a time!

There is more detail in an article about back-basting on Quilting Hub using the Basket shape collections.

Ole Blue Eyes and Monkey sing about back-basting stars

Would you like to print out a star
Carry moonbeams home in a jar
And be better off than you are
Or would you rather mark by hand?

Applique or Piece your stars

Nobody has any business looking this closely but . . .

Monkey sings:

Would you like to hand piece a star
Carry moonbeams home in a jar
And be better off than you are
Or would you appliqué instead?

Isn’t it nice to have a choice? The new 5-Pointed Star shape collection is right for you and the intro price will end soon. . . . (Consider yourself warned.)

Would you like to back-baste a star
Carry moonbeams home in a jar
And be better off than you are
Or would you piece it instead?

Either way, the Sultan of Swoon says, “You could be swinging on a star.” Thank you for visiting.

6 thoughts on “You Could be Swinging on a Back-Basting Star”

  1. In the quilting world, we each have special strengths…and trust me, applique is not mine! I’ve tried every method out there including glue and starch. Ugh…messy! The only way I’ve found to do true needle-turn applique is back basting. And while I truly admire those who easily needle-turn without aides of any kind, just like “loving the lines”, I love the holes that allow me to applique like a pro…almost! S:-)

    Reply
    • Hi Suzanne, I agree with you. I find it hard to applique sometimes. I am confident that my PIECED points will be as sharp as sharp can be, so it is hard to compromise on very pointy applique points like the ones in the star.

      Reply
    • Hi Glenda, I enjoyed your blog when you were still teaching. I hope you are enjoying a wonderful retirement and can sew whatever you want, whenever you want!

      Reply
      • Thanks. I am keeping my feet in the game by teaching two little girls how to sew – just voluntary, but I get to enjoy sharing my love of sewing on my on schedule, and with young ones who want to learn.

        Reply
        • That is the best, Glenda! I am so grateful that my mother taught me how to sew when I was very little. It has stayed with me all my life. I hope it will be the same for the little girls, thanks to you.

          Reply

Leave a Reply to Linda Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.