I spray baste. IF I had room to pin baste or stitch baste my back wouldn't take it. In my town we don't have anyone that long arms that bastes quilts - not everyone lives where we can just sent out and get the most environmentally friendly whatever.

I know what you mean! I have bak issues too. there was a time I didn't mind crawling on the floor to pin. even if my knees could take it I probably couldn't straighten up- if i was able to get OFF the floor. some days I feel like I'm falling apart!

What brand of spray did you use?

My fingers can't take the pin basting...and I do not enjoy hand sewing at all...so from now on I am spraying...the June Taylor spray did not smell bad and I used a small amount. I will start spraying on the porch, which is all screened in now that I saw that video on wall basting. It was wonderful to sew with no worries about the quilt shifting. I do not want to pay someone to baste my quilts. I want to do the quilts myself. The spray was 12.00 for the can so I doubt someone would want to baste for less than $6.00 a quilt since I did not use 1/4 of the can...

I use the June Taylor spray and it does not make the needle gummy. Also, do not find the odor to be overwhelming. A little goes a long way. Also, the window is open and an old sheet is down on the floor.

I have the bent safety pins, to use when necessary but the fingers joints do not like all the movements even with the Kwik opener/closer.

Has anyone ever tried Hair Spray? Any thoughts or any name brands that work the best. But most hair sprays [to me] seem even more toxic just hate it when I smell it at the salon.

You know what to each his or her own in the way we do our quilts.

hmmm hair spray now that is an interesting idea....why didn't I think of that...; ) I will be interested in seeing the feedback. I have learned a ton from all of the folks here...I did not even know what basting was a few months ago...

What brand did you use?

I love spray basting. I use 505. I let it sit overnight so it dries well before stitching. It does not gum up my needle or machine. I have a large roll of wide craft paper of which I cut looooong pieces off and place slightly under and around the quilt to catch the inevitable overspray. Can't do it when DH is home, he'd have a FIT. I do it in the living room. It washes out of the quilt and leave no residue. BTW, I think 505 is acid free, but not sure.

omgggg dont you just love it , i have been using the spray for the last 5 or 6 years , i will never go back to pinning