Greetings,

I'm putting together the top, back and batting. All I have is the floor to do this. No table big enough, no room on walls or anything else to put it together; just the floor. I was wondering if any of you have done it that way and how have you achieved a nice smooth and taut fit before sewing it together?

FYI: I'm using heavy weight flannel for top and back and unworked natural wool for the batting.

TIA

I am always using my floor.
I will use books (heavy) to put on the corners to hold down the bottom/tops.
I've also used Painters Tape and have had good luck with that also.
When I would spread out on the rug, I would safety pin to the carpet.
Only thing I didnt like about using the floor was getting back up afterwards and my aching back

The floor is my only place to layer the quilt sandwich too. I always have the hardest time getting the back smooth. Some one (don't remember where I got the idea) suggested using painter's tape to tape the backing down to the floor and then put on the batting and top. I tried it this time with the quilt I'm currently working on. I did and it seems much smoother than usual.

I would tape the back down to the floor, use a little spray adhesive if you have any, layer the batting, spray adesive, top, making sure that everything is smooth along the way. Then pin it,( I never fully trusted the spray adhesive), making sure pins were not where I planned on quilting. Peel off of the tape and you are ready to go.

I have always taped my backing to a floor...taught...
then the batting then the top.
REMEMBER....OPEN DOORS and windows for ventilation with the basting spray!!!
Kirsten

ok, i'm a bit nutty when it comes to this stuff, i'll give it to you in order of steps

i like to mark my quilt top with my quilting pattern before i pin the sandwich this way i can keep the quilting areas free of pins

1) lay backing fabric down on floor and smooth it out
2) tape down the top 2 corners and the center of the top with painters tape
3) smooth your way down and tape the sides
3) smooth your way down and tape off the bottom
4) you should have 3 pieces of tape on each side
5) repeat all of the above steps with the batting which i tape to the backing fabric
6) repeat all of the above steps with the top which i tape to the backing fabric also
7) i roll a marble underneath all the layers of the quilt sandwich.
8) the marble brings up a small section of the quilt just a slight bit from the floor and you're able to use quilt pins with ease. the pins just go in like a hot knife thru butter.
9) i choose a side and work from the bottom to the top and pin. when that section is done i move to the next one and work from the top to the bottom.
10) i use a lot of pins because the marble makes fast work of the pinning process but i try to avoid the pre-marked quilt lines.

I lay mine on the floor too. I use the painters tape and pull the backing taught and tape well. The I use spray adhesive and pin.

When you are putting your sandwich together, are you on a hard floor or carpet?

Kris

I always use the floor. I tape the backing to the floor and them tape each layer as I go. I use basting spray now and it goes much faster.

Oh what a great idea with that marble! I'm always worried about scratching the floor with those pins!