Thank you, thank you for all of the guidance. It sounds like I may try basting spray with my next quilt. Meanwhile, I will try the large tic tac toe like stitching first, then the blocks. I had not thought about not stitching into the borders. I want to try a 'pattern of quilt stitching in the borders. Thanks for the heads up Batik. Why would I not want to leave the border until last?

There are several ways to baste a quilt sandwich, and I think I've tried them all. After pinning my first one, spread out on the floor, I knew I would never do that again - the knees were rather angry with me! So I found a big table (can put together two long ones) and tried pinning again. Just didn't like the way the fabric was "loose" when you took out the pins. Then I tried spray basting and thought I was in heaven....but oh so expensive and messy. Have just finished basting a quilt sandwich using washable glue (Elmer's school glue...washes out). I love the way the fabric is secure and won't pucker at all, as well as the glue is just downright cheap! I have started quilting and have found no issues. I will definitely be glue basting from now on. So you will have to try several different methods before you find the one that works the best for you. And this topic will give you just as many different opinions as the best type of thread to use! LOL. Your quilt is very pretty....be sure to give us another look when you have it done!

what size pins did you use

You have lots of good suggestions. I do a large all over stipple and remove pins as I go. I also always quilt next to quilting, less chance of getting puckers front or back. I do the borders last.
Your quilt is very pretty and so neat looking. I am sure you will be happy with the results.

i don't know what the general wisdom is, but i usually like to run a good line of stitching down the length of the qquilt as close to centre as i can get and one across the width. when hand quilting i will do a line all around the outside before i begin. to my mind once this is done, where is anything going to go?

the i start in the centre and work out. i feel better knowing i have secured the quilt across both major lines. the only pucker disaster i have ever had happened to a quilt i didn't do this to....

it's really lovely. i hope it turns out just the way you imagine it :)

aileen

Beautiful quilt!
I must be the only person in the country who does not use a walking foot. I like to use spray basting but the last two quilts were full bed size so I used the classroom tables at my LQS - could not use spray there. I use a larger size safety pins. I use the open toe embroidery foot on my Designer I and s l o w d o w n, smoothing things as a sew. So far it all works fine and no problems with puckers on the back. Also, I start in the middle and work my way out. I usually do an outline stitch design to highlight the main block design.