I spent Thursday trying to sandwich my bow tie quilt. Trying being the operative word here. I fought with it forever. I finally declared it good to go and quilted 4 lines. Then I spent Saturday night ripping it all out. Today I've reironed and restarched but have not tried to put it together again.

Everything was just too loose. I've got to get it all tighter somehow. I may break down and try spray basting even though I'm certain to baste myself to a wall or some such thing.

UGH!

Let me know how your sparay basting goes. I tried it once and NOTHING stuck! I ended up having to pin anyway. Luckily it was only a baby quilt. Good luck I know the frustration. :(

I stretch out my backing on the floor and tape it. Then I use 505 basting spray and lay down my batting (I use warm and natural). Sticks great!

Basting spray does not stick to poly batting for me.

Did you tape the backing down taut first? (I usually go use my friends kitchen floor, because it's big, and I tape it to the floor) I do that before I put down the batting and then the top. Then I pin.

The thought of attempting to lay out a quilt to quilt makes me shudder... that's why I hand it all to a long arm quilter.

I wish you luck.

I do like the others have suggested. I tape the backing to the floor. I have at times, taped the top to the floor, only because there were some little puckers in areas that wouldn't come out. I would tape the top down, pull it tight and those puckers seemed to disappear.
I'd spray the top, lay the batting (warm and natural), then spray that and lay the backing....or vice versa.
Make sure you shake the can. If your arm gets tired, give it to someone else to shake for a while. I don't use 505, can't remember the name I used, but it said to shake can for 10 min. Then spray at least 8 inches from fabric. Worked great for me.

Yes, that's what I do. I tried another kind of adhesive spray and it didn't work worth a hoot so I'll stick with the 505. I spray between layers.

Use to pin to carpet but back & knees hurt too bad. Bought some of those big clips from Home Depot last year & measure where center is & draw lines both ways on backing. Then do same for batting & top. Have an 8ft table that I lay backing out on & clip to table. Then add rest. Get center down & in right place & start smoothing out. Then I use safety pins & I baste to. It so far has worked ok. A king is a little trickey but the rest work out good.

Would you share what big clips your're referring to from Home Depot? My back and knees can't take the floor, either. Thank you.
Mary Ellen
FL

I use 505 spray and no pins and never have a problem. LOVE the 505 spray!

Emmy, They are called Spring Clamp. Mine have a 2 in bite. The number on them is 573-682. Bar code is 8 20909 80002 6. They have colored plastic caps on clamp end & grip end. They are kinda tight but work so well. They have some with smaller bite but you don't want that because it will be too hard to clamp to table. I think they have a 3 in bite one too. Somebody posted about this last year or two so I went & found some. Lowe's didn't have any. Label says distributed by Home Depot. Hope it works for you. I would post a picture but not sure if I can do so on this topic page. Anybody know?

P.S. I have used spray & I like it very much but I still pin on really big stuff. Also spray will give you a high or headache if it's not well ventilated

I love spray basting and have not had any problems. I have done like everyone ele here does tape the top or back down good.

I love 505 basting spray -- Don't know how I managed without it!! (On my smaller quilts that I'm going to hand quilt -- I use a hot iron with no steam and press the quilt sandwich. It REALLY sticks then.... :D )

I have to work today (Monday), but tomorrow I'm free until 5:00. The plan is to dump the kids at school, zoom home, mop the heck out of the kitchen floor and get taping. If I can't manage it between 8 and 5, it is not meant to be! Wal-Mart didn't have any spray basting so I guess I'll have to stick to pins for now. I can't drive 60 miles to a fabric store just to get that, but I've added it to my "when I go to a real town" list.

Thanks for all the advice. I'll let you know what happens tomorrow. :)

I love spray basting. I have lots of problems when I don't use it. I have used lots of different brands. To me they work great. I still pin, but do not have to use as many pins and end up with a nice look when done.

Vicki,
Every time your avatar pops up, I just want to come sit on that porch. That looks like one of the best porches ever. Lisa

Thank you Debra for the info. DH goes to HD almost every week.
Mary Ellen

well, blow me over - no wonder i feel so good when i spray baste a quilt!

Better be careful, could fry your brain. It gives me a headache but I'm allergic to lots of stuff.

well at my age i sure don't worry about frying my brain - but i do use the 505 spray, it smells less horrible than the others.