Dordee

I am really new to quilting and like many others I read your forum daily. Don't have a lot of tools and I do watch a lot of videos. But my problem now seems to be how to sandwich my quilt without losing my mind(Which is short by the way). I have tried to use the spray adhesive. which was not pleasant could not do without a lot of wrinkles. Don't have a wall large enough to hang. so right now I am placing on the floor and crawling all over it (Wrinkled mess). I Use the tied method because I am scared to try to FMQ and not pleased with my stitch in the ditch. Any suggestions?

katier825

What kind of batting are you using? The spray doesn't work well with poly batting. If I have room, I generally tape down my backing. Lay the batting on top of it to center it. Then I fold it back 1/2 way and spray a section of batting, smooth it out, spray the next section. I spray in a grid fashion about 6" apart. When done with that, I lay the top out, fold it back as I do the back, spray the batting, smooth the fabric over it. I think crawling over it would not be good.

irishrose

I tape my backing down. I have used the floor, but the last two I've taken to church and used several tables pushed together or a ping pong table. I've never had a wrinkle on the back. I'm going to try taping the top down, too, on the next one. The one I'm finishing was very bias and had several places that could have had a wrinkle on the top. I'm not very satified with it. Tape, tape, tape and lots of pins.

sisLH

I have the same problem Dordee. I do not have an area where I can lay out any quilt without it being on the carpeted floor which doesn't make for a tight stretch. I don't have a frame. Trying to do anything with them on a floor is difficult.

Raggiemom

I've laid the backing on the floor, taped it in place, then put the batting and quilt top on. I pin all the way around. It is really helpful if you've pressed everything beforehand. Smaller quilts I've laid on the table and just moved things around until it was all lined the way I wanted, then pinned. I have used the spray basting and liked it. Hope this helps. Can you use the tables at your church or maybe a library?

scrappycats

Lacking room to keep my table up that I use for pinning my quilts, I keep it under the bed in the guest bedroom. When possible I get my daughter to come over and help pin. But she is not always available and I don't have anyone else to help.

I put the center the backing on the table and make sure it is straight by measuring the hanging part on all sides with a yardstick. Once it is straight, I clip it in place with giant binder clips. Next, I lay the batting over the backing and make sure the whole back is covered. Then I lay the top on top of everything and make sure it is all even with the backing by using the yardstick again.

Now, I start the pinning process. I pin everything that is on the top of the table. Once that is all pinned, I release the binding clips and slid the sandwich over to the right or left and straighten and smooth it out. Then I pin that side. Then I do the same for the other side. If needed then I start on the top and then on the bottom. Though since my table is pretty long, most of my quilts do hang over at the top and bottom.

The table I use is one of those like you see in churches or recreational buildings. I got it at Sams when I used to have booths at cat shows.

MellieKQuilter

I pin my backing down to the carpet. I take long straight pins and just shove them down into the carpet. :) Works like a charm!

Scissor Queen

Go watch Sharon Schamber's basting videos. Just search youtube for her name and it'll come right up. No floor, no huge space, and the quilt is very stable when you're done.

Deborahlees

I use my dinning room table with care. The last one I did I did a little different than in the past and like it much better came out as smooth as silk. Put batting on table, lay the top on. Find the center of the quilt top and pin down a row of safety pins going left to right, that was my stop/start line.I use only Warm and natural batting. I then fold back the top to the pin line spray(I like the Dritz from Joann) the batting about 10" down all the way across, then fold down the top and smooth out. Fold the top back to the end of the last spray line, spray another 10", fold and and smooth. When one half is down, turn on the table and fold back to pin line. When entire top is done,fold and remove from table. lay out the backing nice and smooth, then lay top and batting on top of backing. Redo the pins now so they connect all three pieces. (be careful of your table top)Then fold back and spray like before...I think my secret that works for me is doing just a reasonable size path and smooth, rather than trying to do the whole thing at one.

vagabondmom

I agree - I've used this method for the last three quilts I've quilted. I find a place where I can put 2 or 3 tables together and lay it out on that. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhwNylePFAA