Originally Posted by quilterpurpledog (Post 8207195)

I use a 30 X 72 table and clamps. I use the clamps to hold the first section of the backing; smooth on the batting and lay on the top. I pin or glue (Elmer's) that first section. If I use the glue method I let it dry completely. Then, I move that section off the table and used the clamps to fasten a new section to the table with the clamps and repeat the process. I have good success using this method and I can walk when I'm finished. I could not do the hands and knees thing! You might also look up Sharon Schambler's video on using boards that are 1 X 4's. I like that method also.

Originally Posted by Barb2018 (Post 8207231)

I have two 6 foot long folding banquet tables so my basting area is 72 x 60. I tape the legs together so the tables don't move apart and I bought scads of large binder clips at Walmart to clamp the quilt down. I also use PVC pipe sections to get the tables higher...they're just high enough so if I bend over I can reach halfway across. When I'm finished I can fold the tables and store them.

Originally Posted by Faintly Artistic (Post 8207326)

I use Sharon Schamber's board basting method. It can be seen on YouTube. So much easier to sit and baste...

Originally Posted by Iceblossom (Post 8207191)

I have a small house and not much space either of wall or floor or furniture for that matter. I do a lot of layout on top of our queen bed, it may be hard on the back but it's easier than the floor! Currently I have one of those extra large cutting mats, or I've used heavy brown paper rolls (gotten at school supply store). Obviously this works well for small projects, not so good for larger.

It's an issue for many of us. I've been using a friend's long arm set up for my larger quilts for the last couple of years, but it doesn't look like it will be available for my use this year, so sandwiching is again an effort. I've been thinking of putting up an ad on Craig's List hoping to find a home machine I could use and for which I would pay, if for nothing else but to sandwich and baste the tops together. I feel fairly confident though that in my area there is someone relatively nearby who isn't using their machine as much as they thought and would like to get some return on their investment.

Many fire houses, libraries, or other public buildings have rooms (and those nice large tables) for public use. Sometimes a small fee, sometimes all you have to do is ask. I know some people who have access to their church halls, or who are school volunteers and use lunch rooms. You might also see if a large local nursing home or senior center has a community room, my friends belong to a guild that meets in such a place.

Originally Posted by Quilting_Witch (Post 8207178)

Hey Everybody,

I'm working on a jelly roll race quilt with a border, and it was too big to pin at my dining room table. When I'm pinning larger quilts, I lay it out on the living room floor an pin it there, on hands and knees. This one took me nearly two hours on hands and knees to pin. Physically it was a misery.

How do you all pin larger quilts that are too big to lay out on a table? There's GOT to be an easier way than what I do! Please enlighten me with your collective wisdom.

Thank you!