There is an interesting segment on The Quilt Show that shows hanging the quilt on the wall to spray baste. I havn't tried it but looks easy. yes you need to protect the table with paper or sheet or something. I basted on plywood that I put on the dining table with paper around the edges. . Learned that the most important thing is doing sections at the time and really smooth it down. I taught a class in which groups of students worked on spray basting tops for the class. Discovered that all spray basters are not equal. Some of the tops were well smoothed and other were not. Next time I will have only the quilter to do his or her own quilt. Then no one but themselves to blame if it doesn't come out correct.