Wall Mounted Quilt Basting Kit

Description

BACKGROUND

AU2010342761B2 (Vertical Quilt Basting Frame), US20210131000A1 (Quilting frame and clip assembly)

INVENTION SUMMARY

This device/method provides a wall mounted system to baste the three layers of a quilt: the backing fabric, the middle/insulating fabric and the pieced top layer.

INVENTION DESCRIPTION

Historically, when basting a quilt, one generally needs a large, unobstructed flat surface. Quilts can be in excess of 120″×120″ (10′×10′) and a quilter will most often use the floor for such a large item when basting the three layers together. This amount of unobstructed floor space does not always exist and if it does the challenges of kneeling on the floor for extended periods of time can take a toll on an individual's neck, knees, hips and/or back. The other issue that can arise is that it can be difficult to smooth three layers out completely to remove lumps and creases as well as place the three layers evenly together. The Wall Mounted Quilt Basting Kit would help a quilter utilize unused wall space to hang the quilt vertically and allow gravity to assist in smoothing lumps and creases as well as make placement and alignment of the three layers much more precise. The only other option is a quilting frame that rests on the floor and would limit the quilter to much smaller surface areas to work from. A small section of the quilt (with its three layers) must be locked into the frame and secured, then unlocked/unhooked to complete basting on a small section, then moved to another small section of the three layers and so on, over and over, until the entire quilt has been basted together. This is not only time consuming and inefficient but can generate the same problems with lumps, creases and erratic alignment/placement of the three layers. It can result in the quilter needing to take the three layers apart more than once and have to start the basting process over again. This invention will not only be more ergonomic, but will also make the basting process for the home quilter and entrepreneurs much more efficient.

The Wall Mounted Quilt Basting Kit (FIG. 1) includes all the parts to either permanently or temporarily install a vertical system on a blank wall so that quilters can baste the three layers of a quilt together. Scale: ½″=1″. The parts are as follows: 12′ length of wood planks divided into 3 equal pieces (1″ Depth×2″ Width×4′ Length) FIG. 2; 24 Ball Bearing Swivel Hooks (8 on each 4′ wood section) FIG. 4B; 48 Clips (16 on each 4′ wood section) FIG. 4A; 24 Eye Straps (8 on each 4′ wood section) FIG. 3; Cotton Canvas Cloth with (24) 1″ diameter grommets (8′ Length×10′ Width) FIG. 5; Cotton Canvas Cloth Accessory Container with (4) 1″ diameter grommets and 4 pockets—FIG. 6. FIG. 4C is a compilation of 1 Ball Bearing Swivel Hook—FIG. 4B and 2 Clips—FIG. 4A. This FIG. 4C compilation is applied 24 times in FIG. 1.

Each 4′ wood section (FIG. 2) will already have 8 Eye Straps (FIG. 3) pre-installed and will be pre-drilled for either install directly into wood or drywall with appropriate anchors by the consumer. They will be placed side by side with no gaps (as demonstrated in FIG. 1). The 24 Ball Bearing Swivel Hooks and Clips (FIG. 4C) will also be pre-assembled for placement on each of the 24 Eye Straps (FIG. 3). One of the dual clips (FIG. 4C) will attach to the Eye Strap (FIG. 3) and the other clip will attach to the Cotton Canvas Cloth Grommets (FIG. 5). The Cotton Canvas Cloth (FIG. 5) should be hung like a shower curtain (FIG. 1). The Swivel Hooks

(FIG. 4B) rotate 360 degrees allowing for optimum placement of the Cotton Canvas Cloth (FIG. 5). There is a 12′ expanse of wood surface area with Hooks and Eye Straps (FIG. 4C) that will enable a quilter to hang the Cotton Canvas Cloth Accessory Container (FIG. 6) directly over the Cotton Canvas Cloth (FIG. 5). This Cotton Canvas Cloth Accessory Container (FIG. 6) will enable a quilter to place items such as spray cans of adhesive, scissors, or any other sewing notion in the pockets to make them readily accessible while basting a quilt. This can be important for efficiency as well as safety, as a quilter may need to use a step stool to reach the top of the quilt. It will prevent the quilter from having to climb repeatedly up and down for sewing notions while assembling the quilt. Once the kit is installed, the quilter can begin attaching each layer to the Cotton Canvas Cloth (FIG. 5) with safety pins, allowing gravity to assist until finishing the basting process of the 3 layers (finished quilt top piece, batting middle section and quilt backing).

The Wall Mounted Quilt Basting Kit (FIG. 1) will be partially assembled and easily installed with either wood screws or drywall anchors. Hanging the Cotton Canvas Cloth (FIG. 5) is much like hanging a grommeted shower curtain to the provided pre-assembled Clips and Swivel Hooks (FIG. 4C). A quilter can opt to hang the Cotton Canvas Cloth Accessory Container (FIG. 6) as an “extra pair of hands” for the notions that will be used in basting their quilt on the same clips (FIG. 4C) overlapping the Cotton Canvas Cloth (FIG. 1). Quilters can safely place their notions in the pockets at arms reach for whatever height they may be working on the quilt. It will reduce the need to climb up and down a step stool or ladder repeatedly.

To use the Wall Mounted Quilt Basting Kit (FIG. 1), using safety pins, attach the bottom layer (which would be the top finished section of the quilt) first with finished side down. Smooth it out and begin by lifting a top corner section. Apply temporary spray adhesive, release the quilt and smooth/press it onto the Cotton Canvas Cloth (FIG. 5). Continue across horizontally with adhesive, working left to right while smoothing and pressing each section until reaching the end of that row. Then start another section below the finished section repeating these steps until the entire bottom layer is secure. Once the 1st section is complete, repeat the same process with the 2nd layer (Batting) and 3rd layer (Quilt Backing wrong side down). Gravity will assist with removing lumps and creases. Once the 3 layers are basted together, remove the safety pins and take down the basted quilt to finish the quilting process either by hand or machine.

DESCRIPTION OF EACH DRAWING

FIG. 1, 1/3: Representation of the completely assembled apparatus as it would be assembled and installed vertically on a wall. Includes: 3 wood planks, each 1″ Depth×2″ Width×4′ Length, 24 eye straps (8 on each wood plank), 24 ball bearing swivel Hooks (8 on each wood plank), 48 clips (1 on each wood plank), 1 cotton canvas cloth and 1 cotton canvas cloth accessory.

FIG. 2, 2/3 Representation of three wood planks, each 4′Length×2″Width×1″ Depth.

FIG. 3, 2/3: Representation of an eye strap and the screw to mount it.

FIG. 4A, 2/3: Representation of a clip.

FIG. 4B, 2/3: Representation of a ball bearing swivel hook.

FIG. 4C, 2/3: Representation of 1 ball bearing swivel hook with 2 clips.

FIG. 5, 3/3: Representation of 1 Cotton Canvas Cloth

FIG. 6, 3/3: Representation of 1 Cotton Canvas Cloth Accessory with 4 pockets.

IMPROVEMENTS ON PRE-EXISTING INVENTIONS

There is no vertical basting system available for quilters at this time. The only formal systems available are horizontal frames. They are generally limiting in size, scope and can be quite expensive. They are usually attached to Long Arm Quilting Machines. These frames restrict the amount of area that can be worked on and because of expense are generally not attainable for the average residential or home based business quilters. This, then, requires the quilter to utilize a large space such as floor area first to baste the three layers together in preparation for final quilting. These horizontal quilting frames are primarily for the actual finished quilting process rather than the preparation of the quilt for basting. Having to utilize floor space is inefficient and time consuming to the quilter, especially if they are operating a home based business.

The overall advantages to this Wall Mounted Quilt Basting Kit are: efficient use of time (the basting process can occur after one attempt, and gravity will assist with removing the problems of horizontal quilting frames such as lumps, creases and incorrect placement). It is also ergonomic, as the basting process occurs in an upright position rather than placing strain on knees, necks, hips and backs. These horizontal quilting frames must be permanently set up and take up as much as 12′ of floor space along with the Long Arm Quilting Machine. The Wall Mounted Quilt Basting Kit can be temporarily or permanently installed, fully installed or partially installed, freeing up wall space as needed. Finally, the cost of this Wall Mounted Quilt Basting Kit is far more economical than the horizontal quilting frames that exist and therefore attainable to a wider range of quilters.

OTHER USES OR APPLICATIONS FOR THIS INVENTION

The Wall Mounted Quilt Basting Kit has potential multiple other applications. It can also be utilized for creating quilting patterns. Because of the large surface area of the Cotton Canvas Cloth (FIG. 5), a quilter can pin patterns, samples and stitched sections of quilts in preparation for creating the top finished quilt sections. It can be utilized as a vertical idea board to create new quilt designs and rearrange sections or patterns multiple times before committing to basting an entire quilt. It could also be utilized for pattern makers of articles of clothing and home decor such as pillows.