I use a double bed, too. It works for me although I do have to take breaks now and then to ease my back. A friend uses a folding table but she puts the legs into risers that she had specially built so that the table is at a height that doesn't strain her back when pinning.

I use the kitchen table also. I tape a toothpick down as a reference point for top center, middle, side center etc. with reference points made on the quilt,backing and batting. A fold lengthwise and crosswise is usually good enough. I think the weight of the quilt, batting and backing hanging off the table helps keep everything squared away. I pin starting from the middle.

I am also a Sharon Schamber fan...

I have a small table that is sitting on a wooden box to make it the right height. I start in the middle and move as necessary.

I use my design wall which is two 4x8 sheets of insulation bought at Lowe's. and I use spray basting---no more pins for me! Both ideas were from members of this board.

It works great. Pin the backing up, spray; add the batting and spray again; then add the top. Smooth everything as you go along.

Roxanne

I havent tried it yet but I was going to suggest the tables put together too. I have the tables and will hopefully try it soon.
Judy

Our LQS had a good setup for putting your quilt back, batt and top together. She had 4 1x2's that she wrapped with a long piece of fabric (I think there was batting underneith). She clamped the corners together to form a square and put the corners on the backs of 4 chairs. It looked like a huge square hoop at waist level. Then you could pin the backing on one side, go to the other side and pin that side. Then you'd do the same on the remaining 2 sides. Once you had the backing stretched you added the batting.... then the top. Once it felt right you would tack the three layers together with safety pins or a gun that put in plastic tacks.

It worked great. I don't know if there are any videos out there like it but I would call to reserve the frame boards and go lay out my quilt when I needed to sandwich it together. Finally, I made a set for myself.... pretty cheap... 4 boards, 4 clamps! I already had the chairs and safely pins.

Now I have a quilting frame set up in my basement..... love it!

I do the same thing, but I use a large foldable table. I lay the quilt centered on the table, tape down and pin, then untape, move the quilt to one side or the other, retape, then pin that section. It works for me and saves my knees. Couldn't get down on the floor with my knees.

There use to be a basting frame sold in catalogs. I haven't seen one listed for years though.

I used to use the floor too, but at 67 and after having had 5 back surgeries, I can not do that without a lot of pain. I either use the church tables or I pin it to the top of my queen size bed . My bed is tall and the matress is in a waterbed frame so it is tall.