If I'm hand-quilting on the big frame, I hand baste. If I'm quilting in hoops on my lap, I pin baste. Don't remember the source (but we talked about it in a thread on this Board), but concern has been raised about 1) the magical disappearing pens and 2) spray baste and the long-term effects of either or the combination of both on a quilt top. If it's an everyday type of quilt that will be laundered and "used," I use both. If it's a quilt that I have put a whole lot of $$, time and heart into, I thread baste every time.