It happened, finally. I cannot physically do the deep bending required for puting a larger quilt on my basement floor, bending deeply and taping the backing down and then layering the batting and the quilt top.
No more sitting on the floor, as I have done for many year, stretching and reaching and twisting to slip my basting pin into the three layers and feeling that satisfaction as the pin is secured. My last round of sandwiching my quilt layers caused an injury that I am still recovering from, so it is time to try something different.
What to do? Pool noodles? Sure, why not give it a try! They are cheap and I have quilt tops to sandwich.
Some people use a dining table for this chore, but I am very fortunate to have a 9’ x 3′ kitchen island. It is also the perfect height to conduct this experiment with no stooping or bending.
I ordered a pack of 5 noodles, 55” long from Amazon for just under $20. This size will allow me to sandwich a twin size and I have one twin size top waiting and second under construction. I also love a problem that $20 can solve!
For my “practice run” with this method, I used a large lap sized quilt top that I recently completed. It is 47″ x 67″. I cut the backing and batting 3″ larger on each side than the quilt.
Next, I pinned the batting to the hot pink pool noodle and rolled. Be sure that you are rolling snugly and straight.
How was it? Quick and relatively easy! Now to quilt up this little quilt. When the methods we have used no longer work for us, it is time to move on to something new!
Happy quilting!
Lennea
Handmade by Lennea 
Hi, fantastic glad it worked I have used this method for ages.
No ore struggling on floor.
Great news and looks great
Xx happy quilting 9
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Good way to baste your quilts. Will you store it on the noodles until you’re ready to quilt it? Can’t wait to see what you create on this top.
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“Store it? No! I will pin baste and take it down to quilt. I have two to pin baste, so that will keep me busy for a while!
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Pool middles were my saving grace as I suffer from chronic back issues for decades. I have taped them together for larger quilts but they need a pole to keep them straight. I use broom handles from the dollar store. People think it’s funny that I have pool noodles in my spare room closet.
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Broom handles are a good idea!
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I started using them about two years ago Lennea for the same reason, but I use my double bed as work on, which I cover with swade first . I actually sit at the end of the bed and baste mine with thread. I can not use pins here they go rusty in 6 months. So glade you shared how to do this, looks much easier on them table top. Cheers Glenda
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