I hand baste the sandwich together. I start quilting in the center and work my way out. After stitching about 10 in. square, I flip the quilt over and take a look at the back. Since I use big stitches to baste, I just clip the threads and smooth any gathered fabric out and baste that area. Does it end up a perfectly made quilt? Not really, but I'm quilting for pleasure, not perfection.