This is the part of quilting I don't like either. I use the island in my kitchen. It is nice and high but of course not big enough to hold a whole quilt so it is pin basted in sections. I can't get on the floor - knee replacement makes it difficult to get back up - I can do it but it ain't pretty! Never thought about just pin basting the center, quilting, then pin basting the rest. Might have to try that. Seems like it might be a good way to keep the back smoother.