Sounds like you ladies have come up with a winner. I can't use spray basting, I have a bird and they are sensitive to any smells. I clamp mine to a glass topped dining table and pin with safety pins every 3-4" - move it resmooth it and pin untill I get it all pinned, it is slow and takes several hours to do but, it works well for me. Too stiff of joints to do any other way.