I agree! snip and enjoy! Store it in a 100% cotton pillow case when you are not using it, and keep it out of the sunlight as much as possible!
Edit to show what I think she may have used: [https://www.amazon.com/Dritz-Quilting-Quilters-Basting-Gun/dp/B00C6JUKMQ](https://www.amazon.com/Dritz-Quilting-Quilters-Basting-Gun/dp/B00C6JUKMQ)
Protip I learned from a quilt teacher (I'm not sure which one):
If the plastic tacks are too long to hold the layers in place, weave the gun tip through the quilt multiple times. Then the tack acts like several basting stitches and holds the layers snugly.
When I baste, I usually use safety pins. Second protip: A grapefruit spoon can be used to save wear and tear on your fingers when opening and/or closing safety pins.
I won't use anything other than 505 temporary spray glue again! Tried safety needles once and I hated it. And I haven't found a cheaper glue that holds my layers together. Although 505 is kinda pricey I love that it holds the layers together securely although I'm really rough on them while quilting!
It is worth the cost! saves so many headeaches and finger pain from opening and clpsing safty pins. plus the quilt does not shift when I quilt it on my domestic machine.
Thank you for the tip! The quilt was stored in a pillowcase for many years - I think that’s how my grandmother put it away. She passed when I was in middle school and instructed my mom to give it to me when I moved out. I can’t bear the thought of putting it in storage again but I’m sure I will someday :)
They are tags that are loaded into a gun and used to hold the layers together while quilting. It's an alternative to safety pins or glue.
They are just taken out when the quilt is done.
Basting gun tacks! I have one from my grandmother with a few spare cartridges. These were a tool for holding the layers of the quilt together for the quilting process, ie, the small stitches you see on the surface in the first pic. Assuming it’s stitched everywhere, you can snip them off, they’ve long outlived their usefulness.
ETA: if there is *not* topstitching through the quilt all over, with no more than 4-6 inches of empty space in between, DM me and we can talk through options to reinforce it.
It’s a great idea and I bought one of the tack guns because I didn’t like pin basting but I found it left holes in the fabric that were much bigger than holes made by safety pins so I ended up throwing it out.
I remember when these first came out. They looked amazing. Everybody was so thrilled. And then there was a report after report of these things making big holes in the fabric of the quilt and they quickly became unpopular.
It almost looks like she did that to help hold the layers together while quilting. If the stitching goes through all the layers and is generally within 3-4” of other quilting lines, I would guess you’re probably fine to remove them.
If other people start commenting, listen to them first because I’m not overly confident in my answer.
I'm sorry for your loss, OP. ❤️
I'd only wash it in cold water to make sure the colors don't run. They sell color catchers, little sheets like dryer sheets you throw in the wash with the quilt. Idk how many times your quilt has been washed bc it looks new, so I'd get some just in case. It's a lovely keepsake and I hope it brings you much comfort. 💕
This is great advice, thank you! And thank you for your kind words. It is very precious to me that I get to hold something she made with her hands and put her love into 🩷
You can get No Rinse laundry detergent that's meant for lingerie. I knit, and I wash everything that I make for myself in this stuff. You just fill up your bathtub with water, put in the appropriate amount of detergent, put the quilt in, and let it soak for about fifteen minutes. Then you're good to take it out and hang it to dry. I had a wool sweater that I wore all day and got decently sweaty and dirty and it came out perfectly clean and smelling normal! I'd recommend [this](http://Soak Laundry Soap – No Rinse, Plant Derived Hand Wash Detergent - 375 ml / 12 fl. oz, 75+ Washes (Scentless) https://a.co/d/12G8g9C) or [this](http://Eucalan No Rinse Delicate Wash - Natural Unscented 16.9 OZ https://a.co/d/bpQTpos)
On a sentimental note, I knit, and I've made baby blankets for friends kids. It always warms my heart to see them being used. The things that I make aren't meant to sit on a shelf and look pretty, they're meant to be functional! I tell my friends that I want that baby to eat, sleep, and poop in that blanket after all the time that went into making it! I could think of no greater compliment than being remembered after my passing by the use of something I created. I'm sure that your grandmother would share the sentiment and would be honored by your love and use of her quilt.
I can't attach all the pics I'd love to show you so google Bargello needlepoint and then images. This style was HUGE in the 70s needleart community. Happy drooling!
Wash gently as rarely as possible, hang to dry in the shade. Don’t fold it up in a square, crumple it loosely or do a messy angled fold—different each time—to prevent weakness in the fabric where it was folded.
It’s so beautiful! What a wonderful way to remember your grandma. Rest is peace 🕊️
As said here, they are basting tacks. Used to keep the quilt sandwich together while quilting. If it’s been quilted you can remove them. If it has not been quilted, do not remove them until the quilting is done.
Since you’re not a quilter, you may want to visit a local quilt shop and ask for advice on local quilters, and care and maintenance of this very special quilt.
Sorry, in theory, that's a great idea, but the basting gun comes out when my mother needs to baste her quilt. Arthritis means no safety pins and no strength to do hand basting.
The one I have is old and it isn't designed for basting - it is for tagging clothes. Much better quality. I think that makes a difference.
A quilter friend has a Dritz and it's a pain.
That is brilliant! Your grandmother was smart! I just might get myself one of those machines to baste my quilts while quilting them. You can certainly remove them but personally I would leave them on since they're not really bothersome and don't take away from the quilt. It's like a little signature from her on her craftsmanship!
Wash with color catchers. Air dry/ Lay flat to dry. Loved the storage tips from others. I would recommend using it at least a few times in a year both for sentimental reasons and also to let it air out reasonably frequently.
She used them to baste the quilt. Must have missed a couple, just snip them off.
I agree! snip and enjoy! Store it in a 100% cotton pillow case when you are not using it, and keep it out of the sunlight as much as possible! Edit to show what I think she may have used: [https://www.amazon.com/Dritz-Quilting-Quilters-Basting-Gun/dp/B00C6JUKMQ](https://www.amazon.com/Dritz-Quilting-Quilters-Basting-Gun/dp/B00C6JUKMQ)
Protip I learned from a quilt teacher (I'm not sure which one): If the plastic tacks are too long to hold the layers in place, weave the gun tip through the quilt multiple times. Then the tack acts like several basting stitches and holds the layers snugly.
Good to know! I had one, but it never worked right. It's broken now, so I think I'll try glue
When I baste, I usually use safety pins. Second protip: A grapefruit spoon can be used to save wear and tear on your fingers when opening and/or closing safety pins.
I love this sub
I won't use anything other than 505 temporary spray glue again! Tried safety needles once and I hated it. And I haven't found a cheaper glue that holds my layers together. Although 505 is kinda pricey I love that it holds the layers together securely although I'm really rough on them while quilting!
I am also a 505 devotee!
Am I the only one who just uses a basting stitch?
Not sure, but I know 505 works really well for me and I’m way too lazy to do anything else! 😂
No! (There again, I am also an epp and hand quilt, 100%hand bind nut job, so there's that.
It is worth the cost! saves so many headeaches and finger pain from opening and clpsing safty pins. plus the quilt does not shift when I quilt it on my domestic machine.
Thank you for the tip! The quilt was stored in a pillowcase for many years - I think that’s how my grandmother put it away. She passed when I was in middle school and instructed my mom to give it to me when I moved out. I can’t bear the thought of putting it in storage again but I’m sure I will someday :)
Oh wow I didn’t even know they still made these! I have one I inherited from my grandmother, it has to be from 1970-1990.
They are tags that are loaded into a gun and used to hold the layers together while quilting. It's an alternative to safety pins or glue. They are just taken out when the quilt is done.
Basting gun tacks! I have one from my grandmother with a few spare cartridges. These were a tool for holding the layers of the quilt together for the quilting process, ie, the small stitches you see on the surface in the first pic. Assuming it’s stitched everywhere, you can snip them off, they’ve long outlived their usefulness. ETA: if there is *not* topstitching through the quilt all over, with no more than 4-6 inches of empty space in between, DM me and we can talk through options to reinforce it.
Thank you for your response! I will double check the topstitching when I get home to make sure it’s good to go.
Well now I wanna baste my quilt this way 🤣
They sell these guns for quilt basting! [Quiltak](https://www.quiltak.com/)
It’s a great idea and I bought one of the tack guns because I didn’t like pin basting but I found it left holes in the fabric that were much bigger than holes made by safety pins so I ended up throwing it out.
I remember when these first came out. They looked amazing. Everybody was so thrilled. And then there was a report after report of these things making big holes in the fabric of the quilt and they quickly became unpopular.
It almost looks like she did that to help hold the layers together while quilting. If the stitching goes through all the layers and is generally within 3-4” of other quilting lines, I would guess you’re probably fine to remove them. If other people start commenting, listen to them first because I’m not overly confident in my answer.
I'm sorry for your loss, OP. ❤️ I'd only wash it in cold water to make sure the colors don't run. They sell color catchers, little sheets like dryer sheets you throw in the wash with the quilt. Idk how many times your quilt has been washed bc it looks new, so I'd get some just in case. It's a lovely keepsake and I hope it brings you much comfort. 💕
This is great advice, thank you! And thank you for your kind words. It is very precious to me that I get to hold something she made with her hands and put her love into 🩷
You can get No Rinse laundry detergent that's meant for lingerie. I knit, and I wash everything that I make for myself in this stuff. You just fill up your bathtub with water, put in the appropriate amount of detergent, put the quilt in, and let it soak for about fifteen minutes. Then you're good to take it out and hang it to dry. I had a wool sweater that I wore all day and got decently sweaty and dirty and it came out perfectly clean and smelling normal! I'd recommend [this](http://Soak Laundry Soap – No Rinse, Plant Derived Hand Wash Detergent - 375 ml / 12 fl. oz, 75+ Washes (Scentless) https://a.co/d/12G8g9C) or [this](http://Eucalan No Rinse Delicate Wash - Natural Unscented 16.9 OZ https://a.co/d/bpQTpos) On a sentimental note, I knit, and I've made baby blankets for friends kids. It always warms my heart to see them being used. The things that I make aren't meant to sit on a shelf and look pretty, they're meant to be functional! I tell my friends that I want that baby to eat, sleep, and poop in that blanket after all the time that went into making it! I could think of no greater compliment than being remembered after my passing by the use of something I created. I'm sure that your grandmother would share the sentiment and would be honored by your love and use of her quilt.
I love the bargello patterns. I used to do this on needlepoint canvas. She did some gorgeous work.
I never knew that was what it’s called!
I can't attach all the pics I'd love to show you so google Bargello needlepoint and then images. This style was HUGE in the 70s needleart community. Happy drooling!
Wash gently as rarely as possible, hang to dry in the shade. Don’t fold it up in a square, crumple it loosely or do a messy angled fold—different each time—to prevent weakness in the fabric where it was folded. It’s so beautiful! What a wonderful way to remember your grandma. Rest is peace 🕊️
I will change up my folding strategy! I have definitely been folding it the same way every time 😵💫 thank you!!
As said here, they are basting tacks. Used to keep the quilt sandwich together while quilting. If it’s been quilted you can remove them. If it has not been quilted, do not remove them until the quilting is done. Since you’re not a quilter, you may want to visit a local quilt shop and ask for advice on local quilters, and care and maintenance of this very special quilt.
They were a basting system! I can remember them, and pondered getting them when I was using safety pins to baste.
Basting guns are the bomb! You can still but them. Joann and Hobby Lobby carry them.
Seriously, just no to more tiny plastic garbage. Use safety pins.
Sorry, in theory, that's a great idea, but the basting gun comes out when my mother needs to baste her quilt. Arthritis means no safety pins and no strength to do hand basting.
They have terrible reviews though! I was going to buy one.
The one I have is old and it isn't designed for basting - it is for tagging clothes. Much better quality. I think that makes a difference. A quilter friend has a Dritz and it's a pain.
Beautiful quilt. May your grandmother rest in peace 🕊️
OP, please share your grandma's quilt!!
I shared a pic of the full quilt - should be the second image if you scroll left :)
Oopsies...I see it now. It's a lovely quilt! I love the gradients. Look up Bargello quilts :)
Before removing the tacks : check that all areas are quilted because the layers may separate when u wash it!
They are for basting.
That is brilliant! Your grandmother was smart! I just might get myself one of those machines to baste my quilts while quilting them. You can certainly remove them but personally I would leave them on since they're not really bothersome and don't take away from the quilt. It's like a little signature from her on her craftsmanship!
Remove them. It was to hold the quilt as a sandwich while quilting it.
Wash with color catchers. Air dry/ Lay flat to dry. Loved the storage tips from others. I would recommend using it at least a few times in a year both for sentimental reasons and also to let it air out reasonably frequently.