I have read that before quilting, you can hold your layers together in 2 ways. You can either baste the layers or use the special curved safety pins. I haven't gotten to that point yet, but what do you prefer? I'd like some input to give me an idea as to what is easier and yet more professional looking. Would you rather baste or pin? Why do you prefer that method? Which technique produces a nicer quilt? Thanks.
Cheryl R.

I pin...about every 4 inches. I think it's just all a matter of preference! :)
I'd most likely use a spray baste, but the one I have gunks up my needle....I need to get some 501...

I like to spray baste, and then pin around the edges.
I have not had any problems with shifting or puckering.

I like to baste using this method ...... http://www.sharonschambernetwork.com...our-Quilt.aspx

A new quilter here with not much experience, but I believe whether you pin or baste, you need to make sure your three layer lay flat with no puckers or wrinkles, and quilt from the center out. That's what I've been taught and had worked well with the few quilts I made. Making sure that the layers lay flat and don't shift (in addition to your quilting) is what gives your quilt a nice look.

I personally pin my layers because I don't want the chemicals in the basting spray introduced into my home (Asthma problems run in my family).

I am only learning and so far have hand based every 4 or so inches, I seem to remember reading some where that machine quilters prefer to pin rather than baste because it is easier to not sew over the baste threads. Have not tried machine quilting yet but am about to! I want to do a combination of hand and machine quilting, can't wait to see how it will turn out!

Gal

either way works but with pins you do have to be careful where you put them and to not run over them when sewing, basting this is not an issue. also, some people do not like taking the pins back out. i have done both, and find the pins kind of hard but if i used them more often it would probably become easier. i hate having to take them back out, basting stitches are easier..i like using basting spray then i can machine baste around the edges and get right to quilting. but you should try both and see what works best for you. find a friend willing to 'loan' you their bent pins to use so you can try them out with out the investment...about once a year i use mine again.

I spray baste and pin around the edges, also. I tried pinning and the back puckered numerous places. I tried spray basting and I will never go back to pinning.

I pin first, then baste so I can remove all the pins. Yes, kind of silly, but I always quilt with a bunch of pets around, and I am affraid of losing a pin, and someone swallowing it!

I just took a class on machine quilting. We taped the backing down & then pinned every 4 inches or so. I don't have a really big table that I am willing to scratch with the pins, so it is a challenge. I am not about to do it on the floor!
I must say the results from the class were excellent. I also use basting spray for little pieces. Let's see what the voices of experience have to say!

I use the curved pins exclusively. I have big clamps and clamp the quilt, top and bottom, to my table and sit in the chairs around the table and pin away. In sewing, when I get to a pin area, I simply remove it. Works for me. Jackie

Clamps are such a good idea!!

I prefer basting.

Since I hand quilt on a hoop, I use pins. As the fabric smooths out in the hoop I can readjust if needed. When I start machine FMQ I plan on spray basting.I will need to find a better way to sandwich then crawling around the floor on my hands & knees though!

Over the years I have tried every method of basting. For my handquilting projects I use the curved safety pins. For my machine quilted Linus quilts I use the safety pins but don't close them. It makes it much easier to grab them before the machine needle runs over them. Each project might call for a differnt method of basting. I only use the spray stuff on small projects and only when I can open the windows or take it outside. Fuseable batting works for small projects. I haven't handbasted in a long time.

I started out pinning, lots of pain in hands and arms and neck. But I'm old. Went to basting, same thing. Finally, went to spray basting. I pin my backing to my design wall wrong side out of course and spray, spray back side of batting and smooth flat. Add quilt top spray wrong side and smooth over batting. I attach each layer to the top and when finished spray basting and smoothing I put a few safety pins all the way around just to hold it while I wrestle it under my Juki for FMQ. No pain, quick and easy.

I have found this thred of thought interesting I have read down and I didn't know about spray basting! thank you for asking I am gaining a welth of knowledge just reading what others have asked.I have always thred basted it is a pain but worth it.I pin basted once and had to use the blanket before finishing it it was so cold all blankets were needed. well nedles to say someone got poked! she was a fabric diaper baby and had to say she hadent been poked like that sence her diaper days! I laugh thinking about it...

I don't do floors so I go to my church class rooms and use 2 or 3 long tables and stretch my quilts, backing and batting out then pin. Works for me.

I love spray basting and then I baste around the edges. It works great for me.

This is how I do it because I'd rather not deal with the pins.