I have a beautiful Warm Wishes ready to FMQ and I'm considering using spray basting to layer the back, batting & top. I've never used it! Any tips, suggestions, ideas, advise to make this experience a pleasant one?

There are a lot of threads on this topic. Try using the "search" option above to find them.

My tips are as follows:

Spend the money on 505 -- works better than other brands and does not stink up the area. Whatever you use, plan on having great ventilation. Some people do it outside!

Primarily cotton batting adheres best, but many people use poly battings successfully. (I use cotton almost exclusively.)

I heavily starch the backing fabric before layering. (This can be a problem if you are using poly batting, as it can reduce adhesion.) Heavy starch on backing and top reduces puckering because it stabilizes the fabric. (Actually, this tip applies to any type of basting for machine quilting. Would not do it if hand quilting.)

Lay out the largest flat sheet you have to catch any overspray.

Layer backing first, then batting. Once batting is centered on backing, fold back top half of batting, spray that half, then smooth back into place. Repeat with other half of batting. This is *much* easier than spraying the whole thing first and then trying to center the batting.

I do the same thing with the top.

Spray from edge towards center to minimize overspray.

Some people do the spray basting on their bed. So far I have preferred using very large tables (in a community center), clamping the backing fabric to the table to ensure smoothness (but not tight).

I use it the majority of the time.
I don't like using it with polyester batting.

I spray baste & add some pins for good measure.

Prism, I appreciate your tips. Thank you for sharing.

I have heard so many good things about it, I would like to try it!

I am hand quilting one that I spray basted and it is doing very well.:)

Ditto what prism99 said, but I have used 505 on poly batting with no problems.

Me too.

I just used the 505 for the first time and I loved it.
I'll use it all the time now, what a difference it made with my quilting.

I have used the June Tailor basting spray on both poly and cotton. It was great on both battings, buy I found working with poly was easier. Just be sure not to stretch your batting as you lay it over the back. I think that is what I did on my last baby quilt and when the batting went back to normal it was stuck to the backing and the backing was wrinkled. The good thing though, is that I could pull the backing loose, smooth it out and it would restick. I use pins around the edges.

soak and spin the water out of your quilt twice when done quilting it. to remove the basting spray glue.

Dh and I use 505. You can layer it and leave it for weeks before having to quilt it. Dh's 3 quilts are waiting for him to learn to quilt once we have a free weekend for me to show him how to set up his walking foot.

We have not used the bed or floor to put them together. One of the members from this board showed how she uses the wall. It worked great for us.

505 is probably the best. Don't have a heavy hand

I use exclusively 505 spray and cotton or bamboo batting. I have tried pinning and a basting gun, but this method is the easiest and fastest IMHO. I also made my own frame out of 1" x 2" x 8' pieces of wood clamped together at the corners and then I stretch my backing across and use large binder clips to hold it before layering the batting and top for spray basting. Works great!

Great tips. I try to spray outside on the picnic table. I figure the overspray will wash off in the next rain.

Be careful to not spray too heavily. Too much is gummy. I have used pins along the edges, to keep backing from turning under on me.

I buy whatever spray adhesive is on sale, lay out an old sheet, lay my layers, peel back half the top, spray the batting then lay it back down (like I'm wallpapering) then do the same for the other side of the top, flip the quilt over and repeat...maybe it's me but the odor has never bothered me on any spray I've used. I find the spray works great and no puckering. Good luck

Have only used 505, but highly recommend it.
I was advised to spray in a grid pattern - methodically east to west and then north to south - rather than sorta willy-nilly. If you spray with a 'plan' you'll know you got all areas covered. And not every inch needs to be coated with spray - a little goes a long way.

Great suggestions from "PRISM99" I use 505 and have had good luck with it. I bought a case of the large cans on ebay for about $11/can with free shipping. Sounds like a lot of $ but can price per case was cheapest from this seller. Originally I got several small cans from Connecting Threads to try and like it. I have not been able to find 505 in any store locally.

Use it all the time, Lay the back, batt and top in place, Fold back the top half way, just spray "lightly" onto back of the top and the batting (be sure to get to the edges and wait a minute or so) Fold in place and rub your hand over it to get it to stick. Fold the other half and repeat the process. Turn it all over and repeat on the batting side. Leave it dry for at least 15 - 20 minutes before moving. I have done queen size quilts and it holds together wonderfully. Just remember to spray lightly.

I use it all of the time as I prefer it to other methods. Do it in a well ventilated area. Use the spray sparingly and you should have few problems. If you are using a polyester batting you should spray the fabric as the spray will melt the polyester slightly and interfere with adhesion. If you are using wool or cotton it is OK to spray the batting. I do one half of the quilt at a time, turn it over and do the next two halves. It is easiest to do if you can pin it to a design wall.
I then generally leave it for a day just to make sure everything is dry and well stuck before quilting.All the best with it.

I have pinned and sprayed and love the spraying best! Much easier, I think.
I agree with everything Prism99 said.
Good luck!

I like the 505 and have used the wall method. Try it - you'll like it! :-)

I like the Sulky KK2000
It is non toxic and odorless. It will also disappear with ironing

I use 505 also and have had great results both with machine and hand quilting. I do slip in a few pins just for my own peace of mind but it's probably not necessary, just one of my little "things". I have tried other spray baste products but for me, the 505 is the best.

While convenient, the fumes are toxic. Look at the ingredients. If you must use it, be sure the area is well ventilated and there aren't any kids around.

I just love this board ... I sincerely appreciate ALL your advise and suggestions. You have no idea how helpful they are and I feel more confident now that I really can do this!! I'm so ready to give this a go!! Thanks to each one of you for your input!

I lay a big flannel sheet on my king bed, covering headboard, the flannel also holds project nice and snug. BTW, I have never starched before layering, just ironed. I smooth backing and batting on sheet, fold back half of batting, spray then smooth back down, fold back other half, spray and smooth. Then arrange quilt top and repeat the fold back, spray, and smoothing process. I used to use June Tailor Basting Spray (for about 200 quilts) but their new stuff is awful so switched to 505 and love it. When spraying close to the edges direct the spray toward the center to protect from over spray. Start with spraying lightly, can always test for tackiness and add more if necessary, some fabrics take to the spray better than others. I have successfully layered king quilts in an hour or less. Be patient, like everything else it takes practice.

I have sprayed smaller projects but prefer pins even though slower for lap and above. Putting down the pieces with spray can be tricky but it is faster and alot recommend this method.

I've used it and really like it, but haven't used it on a quilt larger than twin size. The smell can be a bit much for some folks, but doesn't bother me if I limit the exposure by spraying and then leaving the room for a bit before I tack the batting down. Have only used it on cotton batting.

I DON'T USE SPRAY ADHESIVE CAUSE I DON'T LIKE THE WAY IT OVER-SPRAYS ALL OVER STUFF. IT ALSO AFFECTS MY ALLERGIES. I PIN BASTE EXCLUSIVELY.

Spray!!!

Prism is right on. Works great. Our LQS owner said to lay the quilt out overnight to dry and it will be even better. We have done this with great results.

505 is the best. It works so well I not longer use pins!!

I too use the 505. Just don't over use it. If you use to much, it can then gunk up your needle when quilting. It's great stuff to use. I don't use poly batting either. Depending on what kind you use, it can raise havock with your thread. I really like a 80/20 cotton/poly blend.

I use 505 also and love it. Much easier than pinning.

I use the June Tailor spray and buy it at Walmart. It works great for me with either poly or cotton batting. The best tip I can give you is to not overspray....a little goes a long way and you won't get a gummed up needle either.

Would like to add that putting the batting down first with the backing on top and doing the fold back, spray, smooth down process, then flip everything over and proceed with the top seems to make the backing come out smoother. Have used this method with greater success than starting with the backing down and batting on top. Also helps (obviously) to have a pair of extra hands around.

This link has a demo on spray basting that is just brilliant!

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-149201-1.htm

only on the borders of a large quilt.