I'd insist on pre basting too, but it's too late now. Schools and librarys off rooms to baste too. or a church basement. that's what I used to do. good luck with it

Am I missing something? What is with the boards? You could much easier and faster have laid that backing out flat, then the batting, then the top, without winding and unwinding off and on those boards!

I use spare beds to baste whenever I can... but I spray baste as much as possible so I don't have to worry about pinning or stitching down through the bed. The last time I had a really big quilt, I had to layer it on my driveway! I swept it as clean as possible, first. Had to have hubby's help as we peeled back layers, sprayed the spray baste, and then pulled the layers back over and made sure they were smooth. But even that didn't take nearly as long as prepping a quilt for quilting as shown in this video.

I have used the "board" method for about 20 fairly large quilts. My boards are 84 in. long. Actually the prepping time is not nearly as long as it seems on the video. I agree video makes it seem very long and painstaking.

I actually added a step: I roll the backing on one board and the batting on the other one. I spray baste these two layers. Then I work with the basted backing/batting on one board and the quilt top on the other board. It's actually quite fast and it's very easy to keep the layers smooth. Having all the layers rolled onto the boards gives everything a certain tautness that eliminates any possible wrinkles.

Like anything else, the first time takes a little longer, but after 20 quilts, I am definitely a fan of this method.

Why on earth baste on your knees? Buy a couple of folding tables, lay out the batting, stream Elmer's School glue on it, smooth on the backing. Let dry, turn over and do the same with the quilt top. (I usually press to set the glue immediately so I don't have to wait.) Done. Fold up tables and put under bed. I use the fold in half 6ft tables from Lowes. They have handles and are easy to carry and store.

Well today I got the top ironed, and laid it out on a spare bed where hopefully it will stay unwrinkled. Almost got the back ironed but it was getting dark and the lighting in this place is terrible. I rent a furnished (off-season) ski condo in the summer, and everything I own fits in my minivan, so buying a couple of tables is not an option!

Hoping to get it finally basted tomorrow! Fingers crossed!

Those of you who are suggesting spray basting or Elmer's glue basting, the OP is planning to hand quilt. For sure Elmer's won't work for that. I know that some hand quilters ***lightly*** spray baste, but I would be worried about over-doing the spray and then having every hand stitch harder to do than it needs to be.

I would see if I could find a longarm quilter to machine baste it. If not, don't baste on your knees without good knee pads. You can damage the knee cartilage on a hard surface. Ask me how I know.

I try to only make 6ft wide quilts as I have a table just that width and I spray baste in sections done the length.

I just dont see how you get the layers of a king size quilt taunt by laying them on a soft bed or even a floor or falling over the edge of a small table working from the center out. Ya'll are better than me.

You are amazing to do all that on the floor! Do you have a public library or church nearby where you can use some large tables for basting? I use the special iron on adhesive tape (available at our local quilt shop) to put sections of batting together or I zigzag them with my sewing machine on the largest zig zag. I don't hand quilt, though, so the tape might not stay together with a lot of handling.