Stitchnripper

We have lots of information on using washable school glue if you use the search feature on the top right. You can type in glue basting or basting with Elmers and see what comes up. I'll never go back to pin or thread basting and when it is dry it does not gum up your needle. And washes completely out. Good luck. I hope you find a way that works for you.

momsobon

Elmer's School glue is my new best friend......try it you will like it.

DOTTYMO

Keep the backing taut ( not tight tight) and pin a fist width apart for pins(about 4") . It takes a lot of pins but gives a good finish.
glad to find another from UK here.

ruby2shoes

I used around 500 quilting pins for my last quilt which measured 65 inches x 88 inches and even then, would've whacked more in if I had 'em! If memory serves me, I think it worked out to about 5 pins per 8 inch block. Mind you, taking them out whilst quilting can be tedious!!!

Bree123

Agree with what others have said. Also, make sure to start basting in center of quilt & work your way out. Think of quilt as being in 4 quadrants. Pin from middle out in A quadrant. Then repeat in the diagonal quadrant. Continue until it's all pin basted. Then you usually want to add a quick thread basted stitch along the edge of your quilt (less than 1/4" from edge -- some people don't remove as its hidden in binding, but I always remove it). This basting line to make sure the edge doesn't fold under & get caught in the quilting (ask me how I know).

I used about 425 in current quilt that's 68x68" and ideally I could've used another 25-50. I like the curved pins. They make the process go faster for me. Good luck!

quilterpurpledog

I gave my pins away quite some time ago. Yeah! I use Elmer's school glue that I thin down with about 10-15% so it is easy to spread. I let it dry overnight and then quilt. I never messes up my machine and is easy to handle. If I am doing a quilt that will not be washed such as a wall hanging I thread baste with the Sharon Shambler method.