I used to dislike sandwiching until I found plastic clamps at Lowe's Hardware. Now I clamp the backing down to one side of my cutting table....smooth it out and clamp the other side. Add the batting.......smooth and reclamp, add the top....smooth and reclamp and then pin away. I can do it so quickly now that I don't mind it but boy do I miss those tools when I am at my Dad's......LOL!