auntpiggylpn

I don't have a basting gun due to the bad reviews here on the QB. One suggestion I can make to you is that even though you hate pinning, it really is essential in keeping your backing wrinkle free. (along with the taping). The best advice I ever got about pin basting was to place a pin one hand width apart. This has kept me wrinkle free (and happy!) especially because I don't tape my backing down.

vickimc

Are you basting close enought together. each pin or basting gun tap should be 3 to 4 inches apart. good luck I did the basting gun thing ones. got blisters on my thumb from pulling the trigger. then when taking out the little tabs, kept finding them in the capret for years..... But what ever works best for you. good luck

thepolyparrot

Yes, I do remove the tags from about a square foot at a time. The tack remover makes it easy - one half stays in the remover tool and the other half, you pick up with the tool and drop it into your thread bag.

Glad the hints were helpful. I think the key is in using the tacks as "stitches," with both ends being on the top side. The way it was initially used, punching straight down and firing, lets the fabric "play" too much on the tack and I think it can enlarge the holes. With the "stitch" method and very short tacks, the layers are held firmly together.

QuiltingCrazie

To avoid tucks here's how I was taught and I've never had a problem with tucks. Don't know if the same apply with spray basting.
Lay your back on the table get it smoothed out and tape it down then your batting smooth it out. This is the part that is different but I swear it works lay your quilt top on top now leave it for 5 mins, let the quilt top rest and settle down on top of the batting. Now smooth it out. This is also different then how others do it, I always make sure I have one other person around when I'm sandwiching, my kids have become pros. You stand on one end and someone on the other pull the tape up from the table but not off the quilt back and turn the whole sandwich over and smooth out. Turn it back reattach tape to the table, smooth and baste with pins or thread.
I do not love to sandwich but I do this every time and all my backs are tuck and pucker free. I also make sure my backing and batting are 3-4inchs extra all around. It's alot and I'll be doing it this week but it gets it done. Hope that helps have fun!!

gailinva

Me too!!! Threw the gun away, left holes in my tops.

Karen's Kreations

I had a basting gun - used it once and gave it away. I didn't like the holes it made in my quilt - even the fine needle. So, I'm a convert to basting spray. Love it!

gollytwo

Like others on the Board, I threw mine out.

Rose L

I have the cheap gun and I use it whenever I plan to hand quilt. There is a rack that goes with it that you slip in under the backing when you are using the gun that lifts the quilt high enough from the the table or floor to allow space for the gun's needle to penetrate without the needle hitting the surface. It does jam occasionally but not enough to drive me crazy or anything. I will warn you, if you use one, that you will ruin your good sewing scissors if you snip the tags with them. Be sure to use a cheap $2 pair for the snipping. I never use the spray baste because it tends to drift in the air and I don't want to get sticky stuff all over in my room or on my table etc. Good luck!

sash

hated mine. basting spray is the way to go unless you have a l/arm.

Extreme Quilter

I used to have one and used it frequently until the holes left in the fabric by the tags bothered me too much. Also, the tags got in the way of my free motion quilting. I gave it away to Goodwill and never looked back.