You’ve finished your quilt top, and now you’re ready to make that sandwich and quilt it! What’s the best way to baste a quilt? Well, that’s entirely subjective. I used to be a pinner, but those things really hurt, even with the little tools to help close pins so they don’t hurt your fingers, it still just seemed so time consuming. Also, I didn’t like stopping to take out pins as I quilted. It interrupted my momentum. 

So I’ve become a big fan of spray basting. Spray bastes have a come a long way over the years, and I no longer worry about that stuff gumming up my needles or affecting the fabric color over time. 

I start by laying my backing piece face down on the floor, driveway, deck, etc. I use masking or painter’s tape to secure each corner and middle section. I would place the tape more frequently if it were a very large quilt. Be sure to pull the backing fabric taught but not tight. If you pull it too tight as you tape it, it will distort the top after you pull the sandwiched quilt up.

Lightly spray this layer, ensuring to cover the entire piece. I am not picky about which spray baste I use. I’ve used all the brands, they all work fine! Use whatever is on sale or what is available to you.  

Next, I smooth out the batting over the backing. It is very important to get the batting completely smooth. This may take some lifting up and back down again in certain areas until you get it completely smooth. 

And, yes, this is hard on my knees! I may have to invest in knee pads in coming years, lol!

After the batting is completely smoothed over the backing, lightly spray baste again. You do not need a lot of spray, but you do need to completely cover the batting (and backing previously).