Has anyone used the walking foot when sewing the blocks to the long strips of sashing? If I don't then they never match up right and I end up having to redo and use the walking foot on the next try like I should have to begin with.

No, but that's a good idea. I just pin & ease, pin & ease... & pray...

Do you put the sashing on top or the blocks?

This is when I have the short pieces of sashing already attached to the blocks, and am attaching the sashing to the long rows of blocks and sashing. If I don't use the walking foot, the the short pieces of sashing don't fall in line with the other side and it looks terrible. So I use the walking foot. Getting my 1/4 in seam is a challenge cause its hard to judge using the walking foot. But it beats having my sashing falling in the wrong spot.

JoAnns does carry the basting spray, I have also seen it at Walmart, but not sure about that now at mine, since the craft department is down to a bare minimum

I had a lot of trouble just like you until I bought a large fold down table at Joanns. I have trouble getting up off the floor once Im down so could not do it that way.
I use those big black paper clips that you fold shut to hold the backing tight to the edge of the table. It works every time.
The table goes on sale for $50 so watch for it or use a 50% off coupon.
It is well worth the investment.
I have used the spray and the iron on batting but this works much better.
I also use cotton batting now. I use the bent safety pins that are easy to use and the quick pin device that you can buy at Quilt In A Day web site.

where do you but the 505 spray at? i use the june tailors. it works great for me. but am willing to try something different.

I have never used the Sulky but tried Sullivans and whatever WM sells. I like Sullivans best to the ones that I tried.

other than basting spray and pinning is there something else that you can
bast with? someone told me awhile back that there was something. i don't remember what it is. or if there really is something. but since you ladies and guys are more experienced than i am i thought i would ask you. i use the sprays, but was just wondering.

jeanette

I use sray all the time for everything and it works great. I use June Tailor brand, available at our Walmart for 6.00 or at Hobby Lobby for 9.00--exactly the same can, so it pays to look around price-wise.
I, too, think the walking foot is a MUST. It takes so much of the frustration out of machine quilting.