QuiltE

BTW ... I didn't mention it, but I will be spray basting, and not the pinning or hand basting methods.

For those doing it in sections and then shifting it ... how do you keep it even and smooth?
My hesitations here are that it'd not be consistent and then would be uneven in the end.

LakeKids ... that's exactly what I fear ... that I'd be wishing I was an octopus. Or would get started at it and have one gooey mess! Did you do any smaller sandwiches first to practice on the wall? I'm thinking that might be the way to start .... table topper, then graduate upwards with experience?

DublB ... always glad to have more how to's to read and maybe there'll be some great aha moments! The backing I see as not so much a problem ... start taping it to the wall and keep at it til it's flat, square and even. Then how do you get going at the batting? Spray the backing then add the batting? Then what about when you add the top ... spray the top before taking it to the wall. Did you get the feeling you needed extra hands? Please tell me more!

hudgoddess

So far my knees and back are still good enough to do it on the floor. I like having everything laid out flat and smooth.

dublb

QE After ya tape the backin' ta the wall ya spray it. Then ya tape the battin' along the top & smooth it. If ya are doin' a small quilt ya don't even have ta tape it up there as the spray will hold it. Next spray the battin' & tape the front up at the top, smooth it out. I have never had ta tape the top up there as it just stays up w/the spray. Again I have never done a large quilt. Twin has my biggest so far.
Here is the instructions that I learned it from. http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/blog.php/blog_id/2566

Cagey

When I first started quilting I used my tabletop or the floor which is impossible for someone my age. Then my DH made me a very large board to hang on the basement wall. Didn't like it so I took the large board off the wall and put it on top of my table when I make the sandwich. Using the board on the wall made the fabric drape funny and I couldn't get the fabric tension right. Using the board on the table works great.

EasyPeezy

I'm right behind Minstrel. Have been thread basting in sections but I'm now moving
to the Elmer's school glue side.

QuiltE, when I baste in sections, I fold top, backing and batting in fourths. Put a
mark at each point (north, south, east, west). Use bull dog clips to secure the
backing to the table. Smooth everything down. Do the same for the batting and
top. Once you've basted the middle, you can move the sandwich easily keeping
your registered marks lined up.

Tartan

I spray basted a baby quilt on the back of my garage door in the summer. I used masking tape every 4 inches to tape the backing up (a pin through each masking tape on the the fabric edge.) I sprayed the back and smoothed on the batt. I then sprayed the batt again and smoothed out the front. I was afraid that the weight of the sandwich would pull down the quilt from the tape but it held. If I was to do a larger quilt, I would use some other method to attach the back up because I don't think tape would be strong enough. I did like doing it on the back of the garage door because I didn't have to worry about fumes or overspray.

BluegrassGurl

I use the table method with two 1"x4"x10' boards for my quilt top and backing. It works great for me. I saw this method on Sharon Schamber's youtube video and love it. The only thing different I do is I use a fine point basting gun.... she does hand basting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhwNylePFAA

I went ahead and posted steps of how I do it for a large <QUEEN size>quilt below:

Step 1: Lay backing on table (wrong side up)<WRONG up side>. Tape edge of backing on board and roll onto board slowly.... straightening as you go. Hint: I use painters tape. Put board aside.
Step 2: Lay quilt top on table (right side up)<RIGHT up side>. Tape edge of quilt top on the other board and roll onto board slowly .... straightening as you go.
Step 3: Place "board with backing" on table, allign as needed and unroll to edge of table.
Step 4: Place batting over backing, allign/smooth as needed... let the "extra" lay over edge of the table.
Step 5: Place "board with top" over batting, allign/smooth as needed and unroll to edge of 'backing' board.
Step 6: Baste unrolled area
Step 7: Pull basted edge off front of table to the point where the boards are on the edge.
Step 8: Pull batting over front edge of table, unroll backing ...... bring batting over unrolled backing.... letting extra hang over table...... unroll quilt top to edge of backing board.
**Repeat step 8 until quilt is basted.

The great thing about this method is that if the table you are using is not wide enough to accomodate the quilt, you can easily manipulate moving it with the boards.

Hope this helps!

MadQuilter

Check out Patsy Thompson's method on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwV8tUkhxUM

I wish I had a wall where I could put up those tiles.

Jim's Gem

I am fortunate to have my church close by and keys to the building and lots of tables to gather together, they are even height adjustable and I have a husband and several dear friends to help me. I do spray baste. I am working on an extra large queen, almost king size and the usual 3 tables are not going to be big enough to sandwich this baby. Not sure if I will set up 6 tables (cause we will not be able to even come close to reaching the middle) or if we will use 3 and have to shift it.

Blue's quilting mama

If it fits on my bed, that is where I do my sandwiching. I use the cutting mat between the bedding and the backing, to prevent the pins from getting into the blankets, quilt, etc. Since I usually only make big lap sized, most fit nicely, the height is good, and don't have to get down on the floor.