Abstract: A method and apparatus for basting layers of flexible materials together such as for quilt making includes a spacing member, such as a grid, having openings therein is disposed on a support surface. A backing member or first flexible member is operatively secured to the support surface and a second member disposed over the first flexible member. Other layers are then placed over the second flexible member and, in the case of quilt making, there would typically be just three layers. A basting gun having a hollow needle is then utilized by pushing the hollow needle through all of the layers of flexible material and into one of the openings in the spacing member. Then the basting tool is utilized to force the first end of the plastic fastener through the hollow needle so that this first end of the plastic fastener is on one end of the flexible members and the second end of the plastic fastener is on the other side of the flexible members whereby the flexible members are held together by the plastic fastener.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting cloth into shapes for use in quilts or the like. A sheet of transparent material has a first linear slot disposed through a sheet at a first location on the sheet so that a cutter can extend therethrough to cut several layers of cloth. A second linear slot is disposed through the sheet at a second position so that the cutter can be used to cut through cloth located below the second slot. The second slot is oriented at an angle of less than 90.degree. with respect to the first linear slot so that various shapes can be made using the combination of straight and angled cuts.