I either tape my backing down to a flat service or pin it to a makeshift design wall, then I spray baste it with June Tailors spray; I can get it at Walmarts and it's so much cheaper than 505 which I've compared the two and get the same if not better results from JT. Then put the batting; spray and then the top. It holds for along time which is really good since I rarely ever get to stay on task long enough to get one thing done before I start another one. I've tried the pins but they get in the way and sometimes it's hard to prejudge where you are going to sew to pin them out of your line of sewing.