I loathe sandwiching, too. I think it is because the large sized tops, batting and backing are so unwieldy. I usually have to enlist my husband's help to get everything centered and smooth. I use two fold up tables on risers that hubby built to save my back. Back when I was in a small weekly quilt group, we would have an occasional basting day where anyone who had a top ready could bring it and we would all help baste. That would be thread or pin basting, before the dawn of glue or spray!