I baste my quilt on the sewing machine using water soluble thread in the bobbin and on top. I sew a large X pattern through the whole quilt and I can smooth out any puffiness with just a spray of water and then baste each part of space in between the X as close as I want. I can then machine or hand quilt using regular thread. I don't pay any attention to the basting thread. It dissolves in water leaving the machine quilting. :D