Carol W

Thank you for all the great hints.

MollieSue

Thank you Prism! I've never used cotton batting, must be time to try it! :) I've never even looked at it, just assumed polyester would be cheaper.
Diana :)

sewnsewer2

I do this too except I tape about every 3 inches apart and then I spray and lay my batting down and smooth it starting in the center working outward. I spray again and lay my top on that way too. Then I pin about a hands width apart and I never have a problem quilting it.

Jannie

Since I have carpet, I use T-pins to tack the backing to the carpet. Then I lay the batting down & the top. I then T-pin the top to the floor & use the safety pins to baste everything together.

MollieSue

Thanks Jannie! I would never have thought of using t pins!
Diana :D

ScubaK

When I had an area to "tape" a quilt I did what Skeat and the others did...
I taped my backing then the middle and then the top....then pinned and pinned...
But, I have found that I can tape a backing creatively to my dining table and legs (queen size or smaller on a small table), spray and then layer and spray then layer then pin...
It works...
But the BIGGEST Thing!!!! for me was...the spring back...after quilting the middle
I found when starting in the middle to quilt, if I took the time to adjust the pins (after doing that first round or straight seam) then I didn't get any wrinkles...I didn't have to baste as much after getting the first middle (round) done then worked out from there.
Hope this helps...
Kirsten

tuesy

I'm still pretty new to quilting, but here's what I do. I put that big huge cardboard cutting mat on top of my rolling cutting board. It measures out to be about 60". Then I lay my backing down, spray with 505, lay my W&N on top of that, then spray 505 again, then put my top on. After each piece is layed down, I smooth from the center out. I then start pinning. When the top is all pinned and I need to pin more, I can move the cardboard cutting mat over a bit and finish smoothing/pinning. It keeps me off the floor as I have arthuritis in my knees. Getting down on the floor is not a problem, it's the getting up that I have the problem with. :lol:

Marcia

So, Diana--have you pinned a quilt yet with all your new suggestions? If so, what did you do and how did it work out for you?

BellaBoo

Sharon Schamber has a nice easy way to baste a quilt using baseboards. You can sit in a chair and do it. She had a free how to video on her website. It may still be there. I baste her way for a large quilt. She had a free video of the basting stitch used by tailors. She wins every show she enters so when she demos I watch. :D

MollieSue

Thank you all for your tips!
No, I haven't tried the quilting ideas yet Marcia. I got sidetracked by trying to make the Warm Wishes quilt. lol!!! Right now I'd probably start with taping, or using the t pins, the layers down as I can't really spend the money on the spray right now.
This is a quilt top I bought on Ebay a couple of years ago. It was suppose to be 30's & 40's fabrics, but I liked it anyways so it was ok. It's hand sewn. I first tried machine quilting it, then had all the issues. Then I thought I'd hand quilt it. Ha. Patience is not one of my virtues. lol!!
Thank you all again!!!! :D