My way is probably a little strange, but it works for me. I have neck, shoulder and lower back issues so it's hard for me to even think about getting down on the floor. Here is how I pin baste my layers for quilting: My bed is kind of high off the floor because we have and extra layer of memory foam on it. So that is where I do my quilts. I use my extra large cutting board on top of the bed. I use clothes hangers with the skirt clips and secure the top of my backing to one long side and one edge of the cutting board, keeping that corner square, and the cutting board close to the edge of the bed. I then clip another 2 hangers to the bottom of the backing where it hangs over the side of the bed so that little bit of weight keeps it pulled tight. As I add each layer, I clip it into the hangers at the top, but not at the bottom. When the section over the cutting board is layered and smoothe, I safety pin baste it well.
Now remove the 2 hangers clipped to the bottom, and tuck just a bit of the unpinned layers under the bottom edge of the cutting board and clip them in place with the 2 hangers. I now turn the cutting board one roll so the pinned section is under it, still clipped to it, and now the unpinned section is on top of the back of the cutting board. Because of my physical problems, I do have to get my DH to help with this part.
Remove the 2 hangers again, and the other hangers holding your quilt to the top of the cutting board. Clip the hangers to the edge of the pinned section where it is folded over the top edge of the cutting board to hold it straight, then pull the layers tight. Now clip them together to the bottom of the cutting board with the rest of the hanger clips. Safety pin baste, then remove the hangers and you are ready to sew.
This might sound complicated but it really isn't. It's just complicated to explain. LOL The cutting board makes it easy to put the safety pins in from one side. The clotheshanger clips hold the quilt layers tight and it all works great for me.
Huggs and smilessss.......