I have not been able to sandwich my quilts together nicely. The top usually looks really nice, but the bottom usually has puckers. I want to make a nice taunt quilt. I have tried pinning and the spray adhesive. Looking for advice everyone. Thanks.

I tape my backing to the floor. I pull it tight. Not enough to stretch it out of shape but enough to pull out all the wrinkles. Then I add the batting and smooth it out and then the quilt top. It works great for me. I do baste around the edge of the quilt after I get it off the floor. I use my machine. That way the sides don't slip.

In my experience the spray works well only on very small projects. The last one I tried somehow ended up with the backing seriously off grain. It's messy and the spray gets all over your table and the floor.

You can't beat good old masking tape to secure the edges of the backing on the table. Then spread the batting and leave it overnight to relax so creases can be smoothed out. Then spread the quilt out on top of the batting and stroke it until it is straight and smooth. Secure the edges with tape. Then baste with needle and thread from the middle outward. Run a line of basting around the outside edge, remove the tape and quilt away!

I tape my backing quite taut (but not stretched). Then I smooth out the batting. I also take my time smoothing out the top. I usually pin about hand-width apart.

The last few quilts I did in SID method had no puckers.

I don't have any tips to add but must thank the posters for your tips---Great!

One thing not mentioned yet is starch. I'm a big believer in starch. My puckering on the back was solved when I followed a board suggestion to starch the back nice and stiff.

Yep, lots and lots of starch to make the backing stiff, then sandwich and baste your quilt. :D:D:D

yay! It's comforting to know I am doing all the things! :-D

I also use sizing on the backing to make it a bit stiffer. I use my dining room table to sandwich. I lay the backing down and clamp it to the table with your basic woodworking clamps, layer the batting and top and smooth out. Then I pin every 5 inches or so.

Great tips everyone. I didn't know about the startch, but going to try it. I was hoping I wouldn't have to pin, I hate pinning and it hurts my fingers.

the starch helped alot... but to me, the biggest tip was to tape the backing down first.... that keeps it from moving while pinning....

when i lay my quilts out, i do it on the living room floor.
if it's a large quilt, i fold it in half, then lay the muslin, usely in half on top of it to see how much to cut off the bolt. mark it with some extra, fold the quilt top out of the way, then use my rotary blade and mat to cut it. i measure my batting the same way, on top of the quilt top, measure, fold the quilt out of the way, and cut it off the bolt with my mat and rotary cutter.
then wash the muslin backing. material could be figured the same way. usually when ironing my top and backing there is a crease down the middle. i use that for a guide in laying out my quilt sandwich on the floor.
lay backing down, batting then quilt top on top. worry about getting the center down the middle straight along the crease from ironing, and make sure there is extra all aroundthe edges. 3-4 inches is enough. it does not have to be completely smooth and wringle free on the floor.
PIN WITH SAFTY PINS IN 3 PLACES ACROSS THE MIDDLE IRONING CREASE WHILE IT IS LAYING ON THE FLOOR. transfer the sandwich to a large table.
with you hand in the middle where the pins are, reach up and tug gently on the backing to straighten, and the batting, smoothing all 3 layers across the top of the table. i have used large fishing wts to help pull the 3 different layers smooth, but you don't have too. letting the quilt hang off the table overnight will help settle all the layers down. next day add loads more safetly pins to baste,

First you need to get good backing. I have tried to use cheaper fabric from joann's and it does not work as nice as better fabric- something like Kona solid. Or as suggested you could starch fabric. also I use a table that is not tlo thick so the clips will fit on it. A 4x6 banquet table is nice or I also use a large piece of smooth plywood placed on as smaller table (the wood can always be removed for storage) I also use large binding clips from an office supply store. These will really keep you backing in place. I smooth the backing taunt but not too stretched, clip securley down around all edges. Place batting on backing and smooth out. Place quilt top on batting and smooth out from the center. Then pin from center There is s pinning tool called"Kwik Klip" that is about $5 on sale at joann's and it really helps when pinning. If you have to move the sandwich then be sure to clip the entire top down as needed and also the backing. Not so hard but GOOD LUCk

What is the brand of starch everyone uses use?

I am comforted that I did everything right when I sandwiched my first quilt. I think the quality fabric and starch are really key.

Whether you use a wall ,table or floor, just make sure the back is positioned in a taut way with masking tape or some such, before you attach the other two layers. Then it should work for you.

I am basting my mom's quilt right now. Well, taking a break for a second. I use the bent basting pins with those plastic things on them. It really helps with the ouchies. Of course, I don't have the plastic doo hickies for all of them, so my fingers are sore. So is my back and neck. But I have to get it done so I can get it off the floor and away from the new kitten!

I haven't made a quilt yet, but I am so thankful for all these ideas.Because I did make a turkey wall hanging for us for Thanksgiving and it is a fairly good size and it had a few puckers where the fabric got cught in the stitching and I didn't notice until it was completely finsihed.But I wasn't about torip all those stitches out as I had echoed stitched aroune=d all the feathers etc.

So when I get ready to quilt the throw cover I will be sure to tape down the back tuat!

I never realized I should until all you great ladies posted.Thanks!