As one who is too old and disabled to get on the floor to quilt, I recommend other methods. At our senior center, quilters push several tables together to get a surface large enough to pin a large quilt, beginning by taping the backing down flat. My habit came to be that I would pin one side until I could remove the first table, continue 'nibbling' away at the pinning work, removing tables as I went.

Now that I am generally not up to joining everyone at the weekly quilting session, my DH got me a folding utility table. Someone, I don't recall who or where, suggested using a pair of long boards to form a sorta quilt frame. I asked the DH to buy me 2 borads and sand them nicely for me. He did one, saying it should be enough. Grumble.

I carefully lay out and smooth about 2' of quilt sandwich. I pin about a foot, but the board in place, then roll it up with the quilt as I go from there. I never have to deal with more than about 18" of quilt at a time. The board and folding table fit nicely by my desk when not in use. Most importantly, my back does not get any worse.

what a wonderful suggestion, last week I did my first quilting (previously sent out) and I was saying some very not so nice ladylike words - AND my back and knees were screaming - BF has a wonderful project in store for him - so glad this is working for you! Thanks for sharing!

That's Sharon Schamber's method.
Here's the video showing how she does it:
Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhwNylePFAA
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_EjBGz5vGQ

I just watched and I love the ease with which she does this - you 2 ladies will never know how much I appreciate this! It has been bookmarked for forever! ps my back and knees thank you too! :)

I have recently discovered spray basting and will never pin baste again. It is just so much easier on my back, and so fast. I can do a large lap size quilt in under 10 minutes! All done and ready to quilt. Another one of the amazing things you learn on this board!

At first when I read the topic I thought you meant back as in back of the quilt! I kept reading the original post thinking "but how does this relate to not ruining the backing?"

Then it dawned on me...LOL :XD:

I just watched the S.S. videos on basting! WOW! What a neat way to sandwich all 3 layers together. I can totally see how your quilt will be much more secure than the dreaded safety pins! I love doing handwork so this won't be a dreaded task for me. If it looks that nice with basting I can see where it will definitely make a better finished product.
Thank you so much for posting these videos!! My back is very greatful to you!

thanks for the links

That's the method I've been using and it's wonderful :thumbup:

I really like the looks of this spray basting technique of Patsy Thompson's.
http://www.patsythompsondesigns.com/free-video/. Second video.