crafty pat

Welcome to the board. That is a very cute quilt for your DGS. I also like the Elmer's school glue it is so much easier than hand basting or having to remove pins as you quilt.

kookey426

Welcome to the board!!! I also use Elmers School glue to baste! LOVE IT!!! No more pins for me!!!

Tartan

When I used to pin my sandwich, I fastened my backing down to my table using bull dog clamps on the table edge or on the floor with masking tape. If you slip a marble under the backing, this will give you a little space to get the pin under the backing and back up through the layers. The marble can be rolled along as needed to the next pin spot.
Make sure your backing is about 2 inches bigger all around the size of the top. Lay your batting on top of the backing (cut the same size as backing) and smooth the top over the batting. You are now ready to put pins in about every 4 inches apart.
Start quilting from the middle of the sandwich outwards so that any wrinkles can be moved to the edges. Check the instructions on the batt package for how far apart the quilting lines can be. Good luck.

ArtsyOne

Welcome! For years I crawled around on my hardwood floor pinning the three layers together and then crawled around some more to hand baste the entire thing. It was the part of the process that I dreaded. Then I discovered spray-basting and my world changed. Lay the backing face down on your flat surface then lay the batting on top. I lift up the batting diagonally from the edges and spray underneath it to the center. Pat it down. Next lay your quilt top on the batting face up. Again, lift up the corners diagonally and spray underneath from the center to the edges. I still use my hardwood floor - if I overspray I let it dry, then take a cloth with orange spray cleaner and it wipes right up.

Then I bring the entire sandwich to the machine and start quilting. Haven't had a single pucker since I discovered the spray.

Mkotch

You may find the denim too heavy to quilt. Why not try some flannel? If you don't wash it first, it won't be as hard to use, and after it's washed it will shrink up nicely like an old fashioned quilt. This is adorable!

twinkie

That is a great way to use plaids and prints together.

coopah

Welcome to the Board. That quilt is going to be loved tremendously! Others have given good advice to your question, so I'll just say...enjoy!

mjhaess

Welcome to the board....Nice quilt...I like to use spray glue to hold my small projects together.

carolynjo

Welcome to this board. The quilters on here are wonderful and a marvelous source of information. I use my ironing board, raised to its highest position and with a sheet of plywood over it, about 4 x 6, to spread my backing, and clamping it, then add the batting, clamp it, and finally, the top and clamp it. You should have a smooth top and you can stand up to baste it if you choose to pin baste it. (My knees won't let me get on the floor anymore.) Have fun! Your first quilt looks great, by the way.

carolynjo

One more suggestion to you: Make a label for the quilt and quilt the label into the quilt. Also, start now keeping a log of your quilts--giving pertinent information and maybe even including snippets of fabric from said quilt. I wish I had done that years ago. Include a picture of the quilt as well. You will be glad you did.