Make a quilt sandwich - Pin Basting or Spray Basting

These methods for making a quilt sandwich are for the 18 or 32 square quilt kits. If you're making a Strip Quilt, please go to Assemble and finish the strip quilt.

Click here to jump to spray basting.

Continue reading below for pin basting.

Pin Basting

Place your backing fabric right side down (fuzzy side) on a clean floor. Tape around the edges to keep from shifting.

Gently press the batting to remove wrinkles. Lay the batting down on the backing fabric and smooth out the wrinkles.

Center the quilt top face-up. You should have a few inches of batting and backing fabric extending beyond the quilt top.

Pin approximately every 2" as in the diagram.

We like to use extra fine glass head pins. The quilt is now ready to be machine quilted. Be very careful handling the quilt; it's a bit like wrestling with a porcupine.

Spray Basting

You should always read the manufacturer's direction first when using any kind of aerosol spray. Always use in a well ventilated area and protect your floor. Make sure you choose a spray that is colorless, acid-free and can be washed out.

Spread out an old sheet or blanket that will cover a large part of the floor and tape it down at the corners. (I'm using a maroon sheet.) Lay your backing fabric face down on the sheet.

Using blue painters tape, tape down the backing fabric at the top. Iron the batting lightly to remove the wrinkles. Lay the batting on top of your backing fabric, making sure you have a slight overhang. Fold the batting fabric at the top 12" down.

Spray the top 12" of your backing fabric with the basting spray.

Place the folded section back on to the sprayed area. Smooth away any wrinkles.

Starting at the bottom, roll the batting up and away from the un-sprayed section of the backing fabric.

Working in sections, spray 12" across the fabric at a time.

Gently roll the batting down onto the sprayed section, smoothing as you go. Continue to the end.

Anchor the batting at the top with a few pieces of tape.

Center the quilt top face-up on the batting. Now you're going to baste the quilt top the same way you did the batting.

Fold the quilt top down 12" at the top. Spray the exposed batting with the basting spray.

Place the folded section back on to the sprayed area. Smooth away any wrinkles or creases.

Roll the quilt top up and away from the un-sprayed section of the batting.

Continue to spray and smooth until the top is adhered. Make sure to pin the perimeter of the quilt before quilting or tying. With your quilt sandwich done you're ready to begin machine quilting or hand tying.