I was taught to tape toothpicks down on the table at exactly the centers of the length & width. Then finger press the exact centers of your backing, batting & top. The toothpicks make it easy to find the exact centers - you just find the center by feeling the toothpick & align your fabric up. It works great. I think it was a Harriet Hargrove tip.

I don't do this, but if the quilt isn't huge you could pillowcase it and then the back, batting. and top could be the same size. Just a thought.

Nancy, you don't align the edges of the top with the batting OR the backing. You just let the backing/batting be bigger. If you want to align them you need them the same size and then you do the pillowcase method Sadiemae mentioned. Since you already cut them I would do that. Layer the back w/ right side up, the top w/ right side down, and the batting on top of that. Sew all around leaving an opening to turn it. Then clip the corners, turn it right sides out, press, and sew the opening shut. Then quilt. .

If it is important that the center of the backing and the center of the top match, you can mark the center of the backing with a mark on the tape. (I always tape my backing down.) Then you can align the top along those marks.

Believe me, I have quilted many quilts off grain because things were not perfectly aligned - and you know what? Nobody said a word.

Love this. My real first name is DUH !
D