also don't use too small of a stitch length. your walking foot should help you keep layers together though. good luck.

I find that pinning or thread basting doesn't assure smooth layers. As well as smoothing the top as you quilt it is necessary to use your hand to assure smooth backing. We should not assume the back stays smooth.

I keep my backing clamped to the table until my many many pins are in place. I make sure it is smooth and straight on the table, snug but not overly so because when it is too tight and you release the clamps your fabric relaxes and can create pleats when you cross sewing lines. I only clamp the backing. The batting and top are smoothed continuously as I pin. Nothing is so maddening as having to takes out tons of stitches. Sorry for you.

I hand baste the sandwich together. I start quilting in the center and work my way out. After stitching about 10 in. square, I flip the quilt over and take a look at the back. Since I use big stitches to baste, I just clip the threads and smooth any gathered fabric out and baste that area. Does it end up a perfectly made quilt? Not really, but I'm quilting for pleasure, not perfection.