How do I assemble large quilts?

me... I send it off to the long arm quilter!

Many will actually do the basting for you for a nominal fee!

Kate in MI

Good advice Jack, but should we assume everybody knows to use safety pins? (If you can't find or don't like the curved pins, 1" brass ones are good. Anything that doesn't rust!)

Also, make sure the backing is smooth but *not stretched*.

I baste my sandwich on a dining table. First the middle third, then each side. Tape the backing down at each end. Aging knees, can't be crawling around on the floor any more! If your table is too precious to risk pin scratches, you can slide your cutting mat around as you work along. Or find some amenable public place with a big table. Roberta in D

"Jack Campin - bogus address" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news: snipped-for-privacy@news.news.demon.net...

I use a carpeted floor and t-pins. I stake out the bottom piece - wrong side up then add the batting being careful not to stretch it - then the top placed right side up is staked out/ Then I sit in the middle and pin baste the three layers together with safety pins about a hands width apart. When basted remove all the t-pins and take to your machine and quilt or lap quilt as you desire.

I use my dining room table, too. I have a huge table when all the leaves are in. You can do it on a small table, but it means moving the sandwich more often. Baste the center section first; then move to one side, smooth out the layers, baste; repeat until done. It's much easier on the back and knees. I use big binder clips from an office supply store to hold the backing down.

Julia in MN

My local quilting store has big tables they let people come in and use (thus avoiding the need to mop).