I am not particularly a seasoned quilter and I quilt by hand.

I pin the dickens out of it and then I baste like crazy. I baste it on the floor so the hardwood lets me know when I am through all 3 layers.
Two reasons for basting: I had a couple pins tear a quilt once (an old top I was finishing) and I find the pins invariably grab my thread and slow down my hand quilting.
And it is so much fun to pull the basting out as I go (you have to plan the basting to do this) ... my kids actually ask to have that task. It's like crossing out items on a to-do list!

Same here - tried this for the first time last week on a crib quilt & used pins instead of hand-basting. It is an amazingly simple technique that REALLY works ~ even for a newbie!

Safety pins work the best for me. I can't use the spray as I have asthma.

I have spray basted over 150 quilts, either my own or helped with my friends. We have a super easy technique. Cover my king bed with a big flannel sheet, put batting down and arrange backing on that, fold back half of backing, spray batting and smooth backing back down. Fold back other half, spray and smooth. Flip it over so batting is on top, arrange quilt top and continue the fold back, spraying, smooth technique. Walk away and leave it for 30 minutes or so and it's ready to go.

I was using June Taylor with great results, then they changed to a different formula and it was HORRIBLE. After emailing them they were great and have now changed their formula again. The new formula is in the new style can that tapers down on the top with a small cap but be sure that it says "Improved Formula" in dark pink or red on the front. The formula is pretty much the same as 505 and Dritz and I really like it. I don't like the Sullivan's in the pink can though.

I've only done a few quilts, mostly baby/crib size, and have done most of them with spray basting. It's the best! Nothing moves arounds or shifts & I can do any kind of quilting I want to without stopping to remove pins. I put the back down, then the batting & smooth them both really well. Then I fold back the batting about half way, spray onto the backing, about 1/4 of the area, and then smooth the backing onto that area, working from the center to the edges. Repeat with the second 1/4 of the batting for that end. Then do the other half the same way. Gives a nice smooth finish, everything stays in place while you sew & it looks great when done. Especially helpful with a minkee backing since it's so stretchy. :-)

I use the spray basting and have had no problems with it.

The only one I have hand quilted to date, I baisted before quilting

For my small quilts 'Spray Bast' for the larger ones 'Spray Bast and pin"

I make several charity quilts each month, none of them larger than twin size. I have a large flannel backed plastic tablecloth pinned to the wall. I pin the backing to that, spray with basting spray LIGHTLY, then smooth the batting on. Spray the batting LIGHTLY and smooth the quilt top over that. I used to put them together using a large table but tried the wall after reading about it somewhere on this board. Whoever posted that idea, thank you, thank you, thank you.

I use the spray adhesive for real small ones I have used "the birthing technique "