No pregnancy here. :D I realized why you thought that now. :). In my question, I saw I finished a baby quilt (my first), but I guess I should have clarified that it was my first baby quilt, not my first child. :-)

I like to spray baste then reinforce it with a few pins. I use the Kwik Clip and the pin covers with no picks whatsoever. Always wash the quilt when done to remove the basting spray.

I use elmers washable glue to baste. Getting poked by pins ruins the fun!

Oops!!! Sometimes I read too fast...;.....

I use small anodise safety pins. I don't use spray glues- can't stand the smell. I pin on a 6" table for which I have lifters so it saves my back. I tape the backing & batting down and don't have any problem with the backing scrunching up.

I use 505 spray or Elmer's washable school glue. It's my new best friend.

I am the furthest from being an expert but I discovered the wonderful advantage of the curved safety pins. My first few quilts I use big standard pins which made me lift the layers, moving everything. They turned out ok but added to the stress of quessing what was going on with the backing. The curved pins make pinning the sandwich together so easy, closing the pins is a cinch.

I spray baste exclusively and will never used safety pins again. I FMQ my quilts on my machine and have yet to have a wrinkle/tuck on the back with basting. I am not bothered at all by the smell. It's the one quilting tool I NEVER run out of!

I have always used safety pins, but have begun to use spray basting for smaller quilts such as a baby quilt. I find that it is does have a monetary cost but it is effective, and I think in the end is a time saver. My only problem with spray basting was when I used the wrong kind, one designed for crafts and not quilting which gummed up my needle. That was my fault. I found spray baste on sale at JoAnn's a couple of weeks ago and got two for one. That helps lots! I can usually get one baby quilt and one or two smaller projects from a can of spray baste.

One of the gals from my quilt guild suggested light pinning on larger spray basted quilts. I have not had a larger project at hand since she gave that advise. Perhaps someone else will chime in on larger quilts. Take a chance and try a new technique. You may find that it works for you ..... or it doesn't. :)

I just saw a post that mentioned the fumes of spray baste. The one I use from JoAnn's does not have the heavy fumes of another that I had that was a hand-me-down. That was awful! The one I use says on the label that it is oderless and it really has almost so odor at at all.

I spray baste with June Tailor's basting spray from Joann's. I pick it up when I have a coupon. I love being able to baste a twin sized by my self by draping it over a banquet table. I almost never get a pucker. When I first started quilting, I purchased 200 bent safety pins, and tried pin basting. The pins were so dull, I feared I would snag the fabric. When I was done, the quilt was terribly heavy and difficult to maneuver for FMQ. Plus, I hated stopping every few seconds to remove a pin while quilting. I found it very difficult to plan my stitching around pins placed every 4 inches.

Oh definitely spray it!

My DDIL and I spray baste. We just spray basted a throw-size quilt. Her method is better than mine.
1. With batting down (we lay a king-size sheet over carpet) and backing on top, fold top back and spray halfway; press backing down and smooth completely; fold other half back and repeat.
2. Turn the batting and backing over with backing on top.
3. Lay quilt top down on top of backing; fold halfway back and spray; smooth top down; fold other half over and spray batting; lay top down and smooth flat.
4. We folded the back and batting over at the edges so that the edges were not sticky.

We have been using this method (have used Wal Mart brand Spray; Joanne spray; and I use 505.
No shifting or puckering. I have done an over-size twin on my domestic machine with no problems.

With spray, you may lift the fabric and reset if necessary and it will stick back down with no problem. Good luck.

I glue basted the last baby quilt I made with Elmer's school glue. Easiest I ever did. All I did was drizzle a ver thin row of glue every 3-4 inches from top to bottom and let it dry overnight then quilted it the next day. When done I washed it out. Worked wonderfully on the small project.

I pin 99% of my quilts with basting safety pins and the Kwik clip tool, and it really saves my fingers. I did find that the curved safety pins work better than the regular ones, but the Kwik clip tool is an absolutely necessity if you want to save your fingers. I have a friend who uses the basting spray, but I've only used it on a couple of small quilts or if I'm making bags and the fusible fleece doesn't want to stay fused.

I think you will have your top glued to the back doing it like this. In number 2, I think you meant: Turn the batting and backing over with the BATTING on top. Then in number 3 you will lay your quilt top onto your BATTING.

Hope this helps.

I've used spray basting on lap sized or smaller. I've used bent safety pins mostly. Tried Pinmoors, but found they fell off a larger quilt while maneuvering it thru my machine and ended up getting stabbed lots of times. I use the Kwik Klip for fastening and unfastening my safety pins. You'll get very sore fingers otherwise. I have not tried hand basting yet, tho it might prove to be a good method depending on how I'm quilting. Sharon Schambers has videos showing her method.

I use safety pins. I always make sure that the quilt sandwich is right before I start pinning. My first quilt was a Queen and when I got to the edges, the backing was too small. So I had to unpin about a million pins. Then I bought new backing and when I got to the edges, I found out the batting was incorrectly put on. So I unpinned again. I have read on the board about using Elmer's School Glue on even Queen size quilts and I think I will try it on some lap size first and then go on to the larger quilts. I have tried the iron on batting and that was a waste of time, I never could get it to stay. Try various ways and find out what you like.

Ditto. It washes out.

I am by no stretch of the imagination an expert, but I'll gladly share my experiences. The first quilt I use the bent safety pins and quickly realized that I didn't like that at all. Then I tried the Pin Moor dealy bobs that go on the straight pins, better but still a pain. Then I used Sullivan's Spray basting and it all came together. Now I spray baste everything, with my husband's help to make sure I don't get a fold or wrinkle. I tried to spray baste a baby quilt by myself and that was not a pleasant experience. It takes two people to get a nice smooth quilt sandwich. I'm a spray basting fan all the way.

Since you already have straight pins in place, get the foam ear plugs and put them on all the remaining pins - end of problem. They are widely available at pharmacies, sold in a plastic jar. This is the brand I use: http://www.amazon.com/Flents-Quiet-T...time+ear+plugs They have gone up in price since I got mine, but keep in mind that unlike the basting spray, you reuse these. I haven't had any wear out yet. There are similar things sold specifically for basting quilts, but I don't remember what they're called.

I have used several methods. I like spray baste, but it's costly and I have to do it outdoors because I'm sensitive to the product in the air. Our climate and the lack of a large table outdoors makes that method less satisfying for large quilts. Also, it doesn't seem environmentally friendly. I hate working with the safety pins - bother my wrist. I've found the use of long straight pins stuck into ear plugs to be a comfortable alternative.

I also spray baste. Right now using June Taylor spray from Hobby Lobby for 40% off. For baby size quilts, I also use my "design wall" which is the back of a flannel lined plastic tablecloth. I usually pin the backing to the top, smooth it out and spray lightly. Put batting on, smooth it out, spray lightly, then the top, smoothing it all out. It actually takes less time than laying it out on the table. Haven't tried that way with larger quilts, but I would never use anything except spray basting.

I love spray basting too, and then I baste a long stitch at about 1/4 inch from the outside edges just to be sure that the backing or batting doesn't get folded under and quilted in. If you pin, use safety pins, you will hurt yourself with straight pins. Try a couple of different methods on smaller pieces to see which you like best

Hi Dottymo, I am now worried because I make lots of baby quilts for donation. should I not spray baste ? Letty

Well if you are getting beat up by pins you must be using regular sewing pins. I have needle basted with long running stitches (works well for hand quilting) Pin basted using safety pins not the brass ones but the ones one size up from the smallest nickel ones (that's the size I like best) Spray basting is my newest favorite since I can use my bed to lay it out on and then fold in halves thirds or quarters to spray. (Yes it works best with two people doing it but I get DD or DGD to help me.) Really big quilts I take to church and use the tables there by pushing 3 or 4 tables together to do it. So depending what you are layering there is a technique to use.

My favorite is Elmer's school glue, I will never pin again. I have spray basted but I have trouble controlling the overspray.

505 Spray Baste all the way, although I do teach my students to pin sing curved pins, jackets, and the Quick Klip tool. Some people have allergies, and the 505 also gets expensive.

I spray baste all my quilts even my king quilts I buy spray that is on sale no name brands

The basting spray really is the best, I have never had a wrinkle on the back, although I do pin around bent safety pins around the edges along with the spray. The spray washes out pretty well, I cannot smell any trace of it after it is washed.

I baste. Want to try glue....not crazy about pins

I also use the safety pins. I have tried several ways and this works best for me.

I thought it was funny....considering I have two grandkids! It's all good, not to worry! :D

Wow, you guys are awesome! Lots of ideas! Thanks so much!

Rose P, that's a great idea!!!!! That will help me get through the rest of the quilting on this blanket and then I can decide what I want to try next! Thanks!!!!

Spray baste, and then pin strategically about a foot apart. I have a Hq16 on a frame and I float the quilt (all 3 layers) so the strategic use of pins is required, especially to mount the quilt straight. I've never quilted or even attempted to quilt on my dsm, so can't give an opinion on whether spray basting alone works well.

This is my first post on the forum although I have read many of the posts. But I have a question on this topic of glue basting the layers before quilting. If I have missed the answer, I apologize. My question....can the quilts be hand quilted after using the glue method of spray baste method? or strictly by DSM or long arm?

That is a good question! Most hand quilters have reported they are able to hand quilt after spray basting *if* they have used a light hand with the spray. If you use too much spray, you can get drag on the quilting needle. I would also use only 505 brand for this purpose, as occasionally I have read of other brands not working as well for hand quilting.

I do not think the Elmer's glue basting is recommended if you plan to hand quilt. The glue is too hard to get a needle through.

I mainly do baby and charity quilts - and I gave up using pins a long time ago for washable school glue. Pins take so long to put in; then you have to take them out; and they stick you or make your hands hurt. Phooey! School glue holds well; doesn't interfere with machine quilting; washes out completely. Oh, I've never tried spray basting, but I don't see any advantage over school glue.

Many people here want to dilute the glue and either paint it on or spray it on. Most use the glue straight out of the bottle. I squeeze the bottle about 12 to 18 inches above the batting, moving quickly, making rows (like plowing a field) about 2 or 3 inches apart. Baste both sides and let it dry overnight.

Read over threads about school glue basting and then try it, you'll be glad you did.

Tate

When I discovered 505 - well, let's just say it was a joyful day! I have been doing baby quilts lately and I use the spray, with just a few safety pins for insurance. Then I hand baste all around the edges about 1/4" in (where my binding will end up). This works especially well when using Minke - either for the backing or in the blocks, as Minke has a mind of its own and does not like to stay put.

I'm with all the other spray basters...once I used it, I refused to give blood any longer by using pins. Now, what I DO use after spray basting, especially with a larger quilt is the pinmoors. Can't live without those buggers!