Mkotch

I use the bed in my guest room for most couch-sized or smaller quilts. It's not perfect and because it's low, I have to take breaks to stretch. I pin the top edge of the back to the bedcovering (usually an older quilt), smooth the back out, leaving the excess to dangle over the edges. Then I smooth on the batting and the top. I slide a couple of cutting mats under the center and pin. I move the mats and, when the center is basted, I slide the whole quilt over to do the edges that were dangling down. This is tricky because you need to make sure the back stays taut.

If the quilt is big, I take it to a public place (library, church, etc.) that has a couple of tables I can use. They don't charge me for the hour or so that I'm there basting. My LQS also has tables in its classroom they let people use.

Iceblossom

Our local library now requires 5 people to attend to use a room, but that's just the number of my small group.

Another idea is if you have a local senior center, they often have either open times or craft times. I'm only 59 but our town-sponsored senior center starts at 50. Large private senior residences also have meeting rooms and might actually appreciate someone coming in, especially if you are sociable. One of the guilds my small group members go to is held at a large residence, I went to one meeting and the space was huge (does help the group was about 20), and residents are more than welcome to come to the meetings (most don't, but I think they picked up a couple regulars).

Our state likes to have public access at fire stations too, I think they are phasing them out but most were built with a room that could be used. I've done more than one quilt event at a fire station, and I think the small guild many of my small group members belong to has it's monthly meeting at one.

Murphy224

Like Tartan, I use pool noodles to baste quilts. Here is one of the best videos that show the process. I generally roll the back and top on my large board ironing board as they are freshly pressed. You can make the noodles as long as you need if you have a table long enough to work on. Do a search of this forum for pool noodle basting. There have been several threads about it.
here is the video link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpmWfZdxGSI

klswift

use your bed. When my kids where small, we lived in a very small house. I got 2 pieces of thin old-fashioned wall paneling and had the hardware store cut them down to 5'. I stashed them under my bed and when needed, pulled them out and put my folding cardboard cutting mat on top. This worked great for sandwiching quilts and as a sort of design wall. Then the paneling and cutting board slid back under the bed for storage. I did throw an old sheet over the bed first to catch any bits of thread, pins or overspray if I choose to use basting spray.

Jordan

I agree with the members here-maybe a conference room somewhere or library. Even most cities have senior citizens centers with big tables and that might work for you.

carolynjo

I could physically never baste or pin a quilt on the floor as I would have to sit and wait for someone to help me get up. I do have a long, narrow piece of plywood which I put on my ironing board to spread out the quilt in order to baste it. I have also hung my quilts to be against the wall so that I can baste them; this is very challenging to do, as you can imagine, but I have had to do it in some places I have lived. I have also used a plastic quilting frame to hold the quilt taut while I worked. I would suggest you look around your house and envision how you might solve your problem. Please write back and let us know your solution, as that may provide a solution to a similar problem for someone else. Happy quilting!

carolynjo

Tartan, I like your idea. I have thought about putting a broomstick or small rod inside the noodle to extend the
length .

Claire123

Sometimes if a quilt if very small, I'll use my kitchen island. More commonly, I'll use the floor.
If any of your sewing groups or guilds meet in a church, they might have a big open space to use.

gmcsewer

I lay my cardboard sewing board on the table top fully opened out,.. Then I line up the backing on thereThen I and use straight pins to secure it at that line. Smooth out the backing as far as the table goes and pin there. lay on batting and smooth. Add quilt and line it up with backing and and pin it along the top with straight pins sticking into the cardboard mat. Then I pin this section fist width apart. Roll it up on something firm ( I use some old metal headers for wide with drapery rods. Then I unpin and move it up and resin as per first section and pin. Roll and keep going. I do this for fmq with a small Brother and don't seem to have trouble with tucks on the back. Hope this is clear enough for you to figure it out.

Murphy224

I use one foot or longer sections of 3/4 or 1 inch PVC pipe to join and extend mine and tape the join with duct tape. The size of PVC depends on the pool noodle I use, they sometimes have different size holes in the middle.
Works great and I use pins to attach the quilt sections to the noodles.