tessagin

I fold the materials and hand press so I know where the center is. Then I open them up and spray baste between each layer VERY LIGHTLY. I start either pin basting or tie stitch basting from the center out about mid way every 3 inches. When I'm done it looks like a sunburst pattern. Then I'm able to get to the quilting and no ripples. I've done a couple small ones this way. Am working on a bigger one and will do the same. May be a little more time consuming but worth it always in the long run. I usually have to take it outside and use a couple saw horses and a large piece of plywood. Can't stand the smell of the spray baste in the house.

Buckeye Rose

Washable school glue has been an amazing discovery for me! Following a tutorial from here on the board (and then finding my own best method) was so easy and fast. By applying the glue to the batting and then laying the fabric on top, you are able to see if there are any puckers/folds and deal with them right then. Once the quilt sandwich is dry (I let mine air dry) the layers will not shift or move no matter how many times it gets bunched up for machine quilting. The needle does not get gummy as with spray adhesives, nor is there any problems sewing through the dried glue. It doesn't require any special tips, brushes or cleanup. I will never use any other method of basting a quilt....Washable School Glue is my best quilting friend!

ccthomas

Those that are gluing, do you do dot glue or line gluing? How many inches apart?

MadQuilter

The 505 or Sullivans won't affect the stitching. Check out Patti Thompson's youtube video on spray basting. She addresses that topic.

misseva

Yes - Seriously I just hold the bottle in my hand and sometimes I make big Ss from side to side then make Ss in a crosshatch pattern. Some ladies use a foam brush, some use dots - just depends on you. Either way you go it's sure to be easier than pinning on basting with needle & thread. Usually try for 2-3" apart.

leighway

This is the only way I prep for quilting and I NEVER have wrinkles or tucks. Get a large table on which to place your backing . Get a husband to hold the backing so it won't slide off the table. Spray lightly and place your batt. Move the backing, spray next section, place the batt. Have husband hold sandwich back where you started. Spray batt and place top, continue this way. Once everything is sprayed, I use something called pinmoors, along with flat head pins and just place them around my top. Voila. Done and ready.

ArtsyOne

I had tiny tucks and wrinkles for YEARS no matter how closely I pinned or hand-basted. The first time I tried spray basting I had none. Not a single one.

sept97

Spray baste is my best friend. Get 505 it's the best

sewbizgirl

What kind of batting do you use? I use Warm and Natural 100% cotton batting and it's wonderful. The top and bottom both "stick" to it really well. I don't use any taping, gluing or anything when sandwiching... just lay out the top face down on a big bed. Then I place the batting on the wrong side of the top. Last comes the backing, right side up. I like to pin from the top, so I have to then flip the whole sandwich over, unpinned(!), and re-smooth it once it's right side up. I just smooth by hand, and don't need to fuss too much. Then I pin with big safety pins from the top, but not too close. Maybe one pin every 10" or so. The cotton batting really holds onto the other layers. I never get shifting or wrinkles when machine quilting. I really think it's the batting!

caspharm

I like the Mettler Web Bond TA. I learned about it in a class. It works great. I use it on my LA to float the bottom of the quilt to finish.