Best way to assemble the quilt before quilting?

[MOgirl56]

OK, here's another question

I don't have a large table to lay out the backing and batting to put the quilt together.

I have noticed that some people use binder clips to hold all the layers together. But I don't have quilting frames either.

Do you all have any suggestions that work for assembling the backing, batting and top, to keep it smooth. I did buy a can of spray adhesive,but I don't have safety pins to pin it, yet.

I have quilting books, but I am interested in your point of view on this.

Thanks,
Linda

[sadiedaisy1]

Well, I'm sure this isn't the "best" way, but here's how I do it:

I use the kitchen floor (because it's a tiled floor and it's large enough area to accommodate big quilts). First, I lay out the backing and use painter's tape to hold it down taut (but not stretched), then I put the batting on top, smooth it out and usually tape that down too so it won't move on me, and then I place the quilt top on top. I use curved safety pins and start in the middle of the quilt and work my way around. I know this isn't the easiest way, but I don't have a large enough table either and this works for me. I have tried the basting spray on small quilts, like table runners, but nothing bigger than that.

[gardenquilter]

easiest way is find a la quilter and have her baste it for you most that i know including myself will do it for very little

before the long arm i did the lay the back out on the floor right side down - smooth and tape with masking tape want it taught not puckering tight - then smooth batting down and tape then top down and tape top right side up then start in the center and start saftey pinning i do and teach to put your hand down spread your fingers out and make sure you can touch a saftey pin with all five fingers palm of hand in the center and bottom palm of hand when finished remove tape and roll from two sides so you have a blank space to start quilting in center block and two rolls on on either side

[sadiedaisy1]

I love that idea, gardenquilter. I've never used a LA quilter...about how much in your opinion is a reasonable price to baste a lap size quilt? Also, anything special that you have to do to prepare it for the LA to baste it?

[sewbug]

If it's nice weather outside, I pin baste the quilt while it's hanging from a clothesline. I wrap the bottom of the backing and batting on a long board for weight, I use the blue plastic bicycle clips to hold the board.

[Cathy32078]

Sadie call the LA'er and ask her how much larger the backing & batting need to be. Usually 4 inches larger on all sides, than your top is good. Here there is lady my Mom has used that charged $20. But that lady was terribly cheap on her quilting too.

Hugs & Love
Cathy

[mic-pa]

I lay my large quilts out like Sadiedaisy1 said but I go to my local senior center or to the church social rooms and put two or three tables together and put the quilt on it. I can no longer get down on the floor to pin baste my quilt. If I am hand quilting it I baste it together with needle and thread. Marge

[MOgirl56]

Thank you for your comments.

I think I shall just take it to the quilt shop 20 miles away and see if the lady there can let me use her tables to put it together. I certainly hope the actual quilting will not be such a challenge OR:

You may see a huge bon fire in the midwest. That will be me dancing around the fire while my first and last quilt project goes down in flames.

Pass the chocolate bar, please!!!