Lee in Richmond

I may overdo things, but I put a big 4x8' sheet of plywood over my dining room table, "mount" the backing with masking tape all around, "massage" the batting over it, play with the top to determine exact right placement, pin with the curved pins, and then baste with neutral thread. The only time I ever had a problem was when the backing I chose had some give to it -- every time I would smooth my hand over a section it would appear to need re-pinning. Oh yeah, I did have trouble one time long ago when I used a fairly thick poly batting -- never made that mistake again.

Onebyone

You do all that to layer and baste a quilt? May I ask why?

Lee in Richmond

I won't put my name on anything that has unintended faults, and all this work has never resulted in a pucker or crease. I also have homemade blocks I put under the table legs to save on back ache.

I wonder that an 'intended fault' is? Silly me, but this is how I do it.

Dina

I'd say if this has never resulted in a pucker or crease, I would stick with it. When you find something that works, well, it works!

Dina

Quilt30

Are you using a walking foot.

Sewnoma

I have discovered that pulling things taut caused me more problems than it solved.

I baste my quilts with Elmer's, and I just drape my quilt over a folding table. The weight of the hanging portions pull things flat, but not tight. I shift it around as I work and smooth and glue as I go...it sounds really sloppy but it works great. I haven't had any puckers since I started doing it this way! I let the glue dry overnight and sew the next morning. Easiest method I've tried and gives me the best results. Love it when it works out like that!

Fabric Galore

I have a 4 x 8 sheet of light weight plywood that I set up on saw horses to the height I want. I use large clips from a stationery store to clip my fabric to the plywood. I have small wooden dowels glued to the plywood that marks the center on all 4 edges and also in the center. This way I can make sure all 3 layers are lining up centered. I tried spray basting but I found the batting tended to pucker ; even when I paid my local LQS to spray baste for me. I use safety pins and it works great.

Lee in Richmond

No I'm not, but I believe I would go thru my ordeal of prep even if I ever remembered to use it. I had a Pfaff with built-in walking foot for 40 years and just never remember it since I had to retire the Pfaff.

I did try to layer a small table topper once without going thru all this, and didn't get it right. BTW, I learned first-hand about using neutral thread -- all those years before reading about it on this site I never had a problem. Next time, bingo.

Gran28

I use spray basting and am not moving the quilt until I pin baste it. I do use lots of pins and usually do straight line quilting. My machine is flush with the top of the cabinet. I use a walking foot and wear gloves when quilting too. Maybe I am trying to keep it too taught. Thanks for your input.

Gran28

Never thought of using Elmer's!