I have found one of my favorite nifty notions to use is a roll of blue painters’ tape! It’s low tack, so it will temporarily stick where I need it, but doesn’t leave any permanent residue.
It’s perfect to help tape down the edges of a quilt back when basting…
Use painters tape for basting.
And it recently came in handy when I was wanting to quilt rows of straight lines without marking. I cut a bunch of pieces off, laid them on the quilt and quilted right along the edge. Then, I was able to use the width of my quilting foot to quilt the remaining lines.
Tape for Quilting Straight Lines
I love it when I can use up cheap supplies that are just lying around the house!
Christa Quilts 
I’m with you Christa! I absolutely will NOT baste a quilt without painter’s tape!
🙂 Kelly
Love the idea of using the tape as a guide for quilting straight lines. However my blue painters tape did not work for holding down layers while sandwiching. Actually was very frustrating to start smoothing the top layer on and have all the edges of the backing pop loose. I will stick to masking tape.
I’m glad you found something that works for you 🙂
Yes this works great.
I am currently using painters tape on a quilt I am quilting and love using it to get those straight lines.
It is not masking tape.. it is painters tape and available is diferent widths. The glue is different! I have been using this since my first quilt. Love it for lots of things. The best one is tacking threads to thier spools so they are not fraying all over.. Particularly mono thread or coated threads as they like to slip down the spool and then I end up destroying half the spool getting it on the machine again.
Great idea.
Oh, I love that one too. I use it for straight line quilting. It’s perfect!
In Ireland and Britain that stuff is called masking tape. I’ve been using it since I started quilting as it was given as a tip in the beginner’s patchwork book I read. It’s great! (Except that I have to tape to the floor, as I don’t have those giant picnic tables – want!).
I never thought of using it as a guide for quilting, thanks for the tip.
I have also used it for temporarily attaching applique pieces to the backing fabric – I find it easier than using pins.
I’ve been using painter’s tape, too. Harbor Freight sells it at a great price, and I have also found it at the Dollar Tree.
You can also use the guide on your walking foot so you only have to mark the first line 🙂
What a great idea. I’ll have to remember this one.
I wish I had known that before ! Would have saved my $35 for the junior tailor grid marker which
I ordered due to your post in Nov12. Now I know for next time. Thanks
Oh, I still use that one too when I want precise lines in a tight area 🙂 I will take any and all helpful aids and put them to good use!
I agree! I use left-over artist tape that I had to buy to hang a banner for a party. It is also very low-tack. I also use my son’s old tackle box that he used 22 years ago to store various sewing machine feet and other sewing machine supplies.
thanks for the good info! I look forward to your nightly posts:)