My local library has 2 rooms for meetings. They have lots of 18 inch x4 foot tables .I move enough tables together to fit my quilt on it. clamp the edges of the quilt to the table and safety pin the layers together. I have to stretch to reach the middle sometimes. this is a lot easier than crawling around on the floor. the room is free for non profit use. I don't sell my quilts. other possibilities any place with meeting rooms. Churches Quilt stores , other meeting halls. diane c.

I have used Sharon's method on my last 3 quits (1 king and 2 queens) and I wouldn't do it any other way!! I never have any problems with the back as I quilt, since you only cut the basting thread in the area that you need to quilt at the moment.
It works :thumbup: Everyone should try it at least once!

Donna, I like your quilt.

If you mean me thank you, That is one I sold. I loved it when it was done.

How do match up the corners?

Thbis subject was discussed a few weeks ago. Search for the subject and you will have lots of answers. I wrote that I paste a king size on a card table. The one posting the question said she had no space to baste, so I thought this might be a solution. As I recall an answer came b ack that the quilter would never use a card table or some such answer. So........everybody does it different depending on their space circumstances.

I use my tall king size bed. After a few pins to secure it, I sit next to it and roll as I pin closely. I cannot do floors, either. I still get wrinkles, so am still working on the problem. Open to new ideas....

I used to sometimes go to a conference room at my work in the evening and use the big tables. I went with a quilt friend and we pinned a few quilts in an evening. Maybe a local church or community center would allow this for those that have no home space.

Ping Pong table. I use it for everything else too. I have four cutting mats set up, one at each corner of the table. It takes up the whole room, but it's a great place to work. If I want to make a quilt sandwich, I clear off the table, and voila! It sure saves my back. I had some clear plastic sheets cut to fit it to protect its surface from pins and sharp scissors. I slip patterns and instructions under those so they don't get lost and I can read them right through the plastic.

If you have the space you can set up a 6' folding table (or two of them next to each other) and put a gallon can under each leg (like a large juice or vegetable can) and this will lift the table up so that you don't have to bend over. You can also go to your favorite hardware store and buy the appropriate size plumbing pipes -the white plastic ones (one for each leg) and have it cut to the size you need to lift the table to a comfortable height. Hope this helps.

Also used a table from Joanns and now have a LAQ and that really saves my knees, back, neck, etc, etc LOL.

I use my large cutting table, not big enough for the whole quilt, but I have an "x" made of toothpicks taped in the middle of the table. I lay the sandwich out one layer at a time, centering each layer by feeling for the "X" with my fingers through the fabric. I use binder clips from the office supply store, or whatever I can find in a pinch (hairclips, etc) to hold the fabric taut at the edges of the table. When I've pinned an area, I move the entire sandwich and put the clips back on and pin a new area.

Yes, I have those knees too! I use 2 collapsible tables side by side. They're 72" x 30" x table height each and fold up to 36" x 30 x 4". They're good and sturdy and can be stored in a closet.

I have the luxuary of having my whole basement to myself at one time many years ago, JCPenney use to sell unfinished cabinets through their catalog. I bought 8 of these and put them together, i then purschased and unfinished an inside door and re-fininshed it and put edging around it.And put this re-finished door on top of those cabinets. On part of it i have my cutting mats and use the other part for my sewing machine or whatever, then when i need to lay a quilt out or wall hanging its big enough. Whats nice also is the cabinets are for fabrics. Plus i have about 6 free standing cabinets for lots more fabric or notions. I wash and iron my fabric after i buy it and put that in seperate cabinets so that its ready to use

I use the floor. Use to baste now use safety pins. Since I FMQ had problems with pleating underneath. A quilting friend told me to( pin suggly) the back to my carpet, then add batting +top then safety pin top with pins apart no wider than a hand span. Think I will have to get a quick clip as last king size had 100's of pins! Am over 60 and this part of quilting is the least favorite.

Ann Clare,
Do you have pin holes? Or is this just an unnecessary concern of mine? I spray basted two quilts but want to try another way. I hate the floor!

I just found this fascinating method:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhwNy...eature=related

It looks like a winner to me. I'm going to use this method on my next quilt. I have never heard of this before and it looks like it takes all the pain out of hand basting!

I tape the backing to the floor, then smooth out the batting and then the top. Then I plop my butt in the middle with my can of safety pins and working from the center out, I pin the quilt. Oh, yes, my legs get sore from sitting straddle-legged so long, and then the problem really comes when I try to get up. Also, I don't walk so well for a while. Hate to think what I look like walking down the hall. LOL

If you bend over your bed, doesn't your back hurt?

What a great video! Thanks for sharing.

What an AWESOME idea. Definitely plan on using this for my next quilt. Thanks for sharing.

I have a friend who recently took a beginning quilting class amd she shared with me how they sandwiched and basted. I tried this on my kitchen table and followed her directions. I was skeptical at first because I hate when there are pleats in the back but I was sick of crawling on my knees- taping down the back and then crawling some more to get the pins in, etc. Lay down the backing fabric, (right side down), smooth it out and then layer your batting on top of that, smooth it out by hand, then lay down your quilt top. Again, smooth it by hand. Your quilt sandwich will be hanging over sides of the table but don't worry about that now. Then you need a partner- my DH has helped me out. You and your quilting helper stand on opposite sides of the table holding on to the backing fabric only and pull. Repeat from other direction. I safety pin whatever is on the top of the table. Move sides of quilt to top of table and repeat with pulling. Pin as you complete each side. I have FMQ several quilts pinned this way- the fabric lays beautifully and no puckers and pleats on the back side. Best of all- no more sore knees!!!!

Hi: I am just new to this but I had my husband put up two 4x8 sheets of foam on my basement wall and I just use straight pins and in my blocks and sashings and borders. I can see what it is going to look like better that way. Don't have to get down on the floor or bend over for long times. I do the same for sandwiching. but I machine quilt to I don't have to worry about that.

I generally use clotheslines. Allow for generous extensions of the backing fabric all around the pieced section. Spread an old sheet under the lines used for pinning. Along the length baste and pin the lining and the batting onto the pieced top, for 12 or more inches toward the center of the quilt. Clothespin the quilt along that length (on the second or inside line) overlapping this edge on the line whatever it takes to keep quilt off the ground or controlled on the sheet. You will need to be able to get behind it, so pin this tail end out of the way on another line temporarily. Pin 3-6 weighted (metal washers from a tool box) tapes across then readjust the holding clothespins until these tapes align with the designs or blocks within the quilt. (The uneven amount of quilt "tail" and the sag of the wire line will not now matter). Pin starting at the center marker, down about one-third, or as far as you can comfortably continue pinning, then go to the left and to the right to continue rather closely, every 3 inches or so. Check the back lining very frequently, to assure evenness and possible repinning. Take off all holding clothespins from the line, reposition the entire quilt, again putting any "tail" out of the way, and continue pinning to the left and right of the center column of pins toward the other length edge. (I do not close the pins until I am assured that each column is done, then hope for help in closing each pin) You may need to do this repositioning two or three times. Gradually, you will have all the close pinning in columns toward the outside edges. Remove entire quilt when you think you can complete these outer edges (both in the length and in the width) over a table in your house. I have even made tailoring basting stitches along side the pins, but do not remove pins before bringing the quilt inside. This takes at least two hours for a bed sized quilt, but I find I cannot comfortably do the layering and pinning on the floor any more. The first time I saw any instructions, years ago, for this was from Quilters' Newletter, article by the late Bonnie Lehman. I have no doubt adjusted and modified those instructions. Frankly, I have not found pins to take the place of, or eliminate the need for, basting before putting a bed sized quilt into the frame for hand quilting.

I use my king size bed, also. However, I spray baste. I only had to spray baste one time and was a hard and fast believer. No more puckers, wrinkles, or pleats. Just nice smooth layers! Last quilt was 108x120 and was COMPLETELY basted in 45 minutes, and that was doing it all by myself. Am almost through quilting it so should have picture to share within a week.

This is the method that I use when it is bigger than a baby quilt.

I use the floor and those gardening knee cushions you strap around your knees - Find they are a big help

I bought a sixft long by three feet wide table just for that job. I have a smaller folding table that I place next to it and acn use my ironing board for a bit more room. I also have a folding seamstress cutting board that helps and most baby quilts I do on my bed.

Some nice thick knee pads make floor layout easier.

I, also, use our bed, queen size; slide a smooth piece of wood or plastic depending what my husband is not using and baste it. Works better for me...I am 61 with arthritis so my knees cannot handle the floor anymore.

Your idea sounds good, and I will try from the center the next time. I have one suggestion - remember the folding heavy cardboard cutting mats we use to use before the plastic mats came out? They still make those things and I bought one to do my sandwich making on. Can use it when spraying the basting spray and not worry about having to clean it off. And it is a heck of alot lighter than working with a wood board..also can be folded up and not take up so much space when storing it. Make sure any overspray is dry before folding it up.

I also bought the table from JoAnn's @ 50% off! What a buy. At 50+ my knees no longer will let me get on hands & knees, which I use to do when I was younger. Ive started using the basting spray, and it works like a dream. I tape my bottom section down with blue painters tape, and spray in 1/4 sections.
It's so easy and so fast now after using pins to baste.
Stephanie

I t-pin the backing to the floor, lay the batting on top, smooth it all out and put the top on top and then pin every 3 inches, sometimes closer if I need to straighten out something.

I wish that I had a way to put it on the wall and use spray basting, I have no free walls.

I gotta call the library tomorrow! Thanks!

I have a folding cardboard cutting board that I put on top of my dining room table. Then pull out a couple chairs and put books and canisters on them until they are table height. Push the cardboard over as far as I can to rest on the 'extenders'. This can make my table 3 ft wider. Then do the best I can.

I sandwich on the floor in my basement, on a big scrap of carpet laid on the cement. Not too hard on the knees.
I also use those strap-on knee pads carpenters and painters use- your local hardware store has several styles, as does Lowe's.

HOW ABOUT USING A BASTING FRAME.. WORKS FOR ME... If I have a basement or garage I hang it by four corners from the ceiling, so I can walk around it ... (secure the corners by drilling a hole and use wing nuts), by ropes. when I Am finished I wind the rope around the corners, to the ceiling If not ,I put it on tops of four chairs, and use c clamps for the corners. I staple a piece of muslin on all four boards and pin back and batting to it TAUNT on the edges, then i repin the top on ,starting in the middle. Oh Yes I staple a 120 in tape measure on the boards (2x2) to be sure the quilet is centered...Hope this helps.
/ AN OLD QUILTER

I have two banquet size collapsable tables that store under my cutting counter. They work great, then go away

I also have a pool table, but I had the board cut in half so it is easier to move if we want to play pool. Also the tables from Jo Ann or Target work great. I can't get on the floor like I used to either. If I have a large quilt I'm like one lady, start from the middle and work outward as I move the quilt. Good luck!!

In our home we spend of our time in our large den[I usually am in my craft or sewing room anyways] so even with a bunch of large German furniture[ie. shrunk etc.] I am able to fit 6 , 4ft folding tables. { I do have to tip up my large coffee table onto the sofa}and if I have to move my Love seat I can even get 2 more tables up. I can put my 6 really big mats over the edges in the middle. Works great. Plus the tables are adjustable which really helps my bad back. Just cant do the floors anymore cause if I get down on my knees, I cant get up because of Osteoarthritis. So I am pretty well set for layout space.