I pin my quilt on a table. I find the center of the quilt and the batting and backing and I put a pin right there. Then I lay the quilt out on a table. I have a cutting table that folds down on both sides, but you could use a dining table or even a card table. I smooth out the layers and yes, sometimes the sides of the quilt hang over the edge. I just start pinning from the center out. I have had no problems with bunching at all.