Recently I shared a tutorial on spray basting using a design wall. Today’s tutorial shows how to modify the spray basting process using a table instead. Note that my pictures are all taken outside but once the quilt layers have been sprayed outdoors, you can assemble the quilt inside using any size table.
- Click here to get the Improv Squares quilt pattern – instant PDF download.
- Click here to get a Layer Cake (10″ squares) to make this quilt.
Step 1 – Spray the back side of the backing and quilt top
Be sure to spray the layers outside, or in a well ventilated area. If you have sensitivity to chemicals, I recommend wearing a dust mask. I use 505 basting spray and a large sheet to protect the surface I’m spraying on.
I’m using a lightweight folding plastic table, so it’s easy to move. I just store it out of the way in the garage when I’m not using it.
The table you are using doesn’t have to be bigger than the quilt. When I’m spraying, I cover the center section of the quilt first, and then the sides. For this step, you don’t even need a table; you can lay out a sheet or dropcloth on the ground or wherever you have room.
I used a small park near my home so that I’d have plenty of room, and also nice scenery for photography!
Hold the can an arm’s length away and spray evenly and generously. Make sure to get good coverage on the quilt. To ensure the can is spraying consistently and doesn’t get clogged, spray a few squirts on your dropcloth before applying it to the quilt.
Although I pressed the top and backing separately before I began, you can see some fold lines on both layers. But not to worry – this gets pressed out at the end. If you spray the top and backing separately, it uses less spray than spraying the batting, and it’s easier to manage.
Once both layers have been sprayed, you can fold them up and bring them inside to finish the assembly process (or stay outside and set the layers aside like I’m showing here.) The layers will be sticky, but not stuck, and you don’t have to assemble them right away – the adhesive doesn’t dry out.
Remove the drop cloth or sheet from the table and then lay out the backing wrong side up.
Step 2 – Add the batting
I like to fold the batting in half long ways so that I can put the fold line roughly in the center of the backing. You can see in the picture below that it’s not exactly even and that’s ok. As long as the batting and backing are bigger than the quilt top, you’ll have some wiggle room so that you don’t have to line things up perfectly.
In fact, my batting is actually a little longer than the backing so it’s easy enough to trim away the excess. Working on a table is great because it won’t hurt your back like the floor can.
Open up the batting so you have coverage on all sides. Even if the sides hang down to the ground – that’s okay. The excess will get trimmed away.
Spend time smoothing out the backing. You can lift and reposition it if needed. Work out any wrinkles or bubbles, using your hands and a long acrylic ruler.
I’m using Hobbs cotton batting for this quilt. I like natural fiber battings because they cling to the fabric and they aren’t slippery. (Polyester has a tendency to slip while you are shoving the quilt through the machine which can cause puckers.)
Once you smooth out the center section, adjust the layers so that you can smooth out the sides, too. Take your time here to really get it nice and flat. Smoothing out the layers also smashes them together so that they stick together better and don’t shift.
You can also iron your batting before you baste to get it nice and flat. I use a spray bottle and a dry iron. With cotton batting, you can put the iron directly on the batting. With more delicate battings like wool, you can cover the area you press with a piece of fabric. Be sure to use a dry iron so that it doesn’t shrink up the batting.
Step 3 – Add the Quilt Top
Add the top in the same way that you added the batting – get it roughly in the center and make sure there’s coverage all the way around the edges. You can see it’s still a bit wrinkly from handling and moving it around. That’s okay – you’ll iron it again at the end.
Trim away the excess batting and backing so you’ll have less bulk to deal with. If you have a super large quilt that touches the ground, you can always place two tables side by side to give you more room to work.
I use specialty batting scissors – they cut through the layers like butter, and trimming goes super fast! I only leave about an inch or two on all sides when I trim. That way it’s less likely that I’ll flip the quilt under itself and accidentally quilt through the extra layers!!
Step 4 – Smooth Out the Layers
Smoothing out each layer as you add it is such a critical step. When your quilt sandwich is flat and smooth, it makes the machine quilting process so much easier! The reason I love using basting spray is that every inch of the quilt is stuck to every other inch. This prevents shifting of the quilt and greatly reduces the chances that you’ll get a tuck or pucker while quilting.
Use the long ruler again to smooth out the center of the quilt. You can also use it to help line up the pieced seams and nudge things back into place if needed. It’s almost like pre-blocking the quilt before you quilt it.
Once you’ve smoothed out the center, you can work on the edges. Roll up the excess so that it doesn’t drag on the ground as you shift the quilt around.
It usually takes me a good 20 minutes to smooth out each layer of the quilt, but it’s time well spent!
Step 5 – Press the Basted Quilt on Both Sides
The secret to good spray basting is to press the quilt once it’s layered. The heat of the iron sets the glue and it smooshes the quilt together so it’s nice and flat. I press the back side first, working out any excess bubbles or wrinkles. Then I flip it over and press the front.
I use a big board which fits on top of my ironing board, giving me more room to work.
I’ve developed this basting method over the last few years and I can honestly say it makes a huge difference in how my quilts turn out. Just remember, you are putting a lot of wear and tear on the quilt when you scrunch and smoosh it through the opening of your machine. But with this method, nothing shifts and it’s easy to just focus on one area of the quilt at a time.
Feel free to pin and share this tutorial with your friends. My goal is to get more people quilting their own quilts while enjoying the process from start to finish!
Christa Quilts 
Thank you so much for this tutorial! So much appreciate the simple instructions along with the photographs. Wish I would have come across it a couple weeks earlier as I just finished pin basting on the floor. Look forward to trying this method. Always seemed the pins were in my way when doing the quilting
Genius! I can’t wait to try this. It will make my quilting life so much easier when I get to this stage!
Yes Christa about how long of a table are you using in your tutorial of basting outside thank you looks like a great idea !
I really enjoyed your tutorial. Well done.
I am new to quilting and am going to spray baste based on your ideas.
Question: do you wash your quilts once they are finished and you are ready to give them away/sell them?
Thank you for your ideas and time
Lori
Thanks so much for this tutorial! I am a novice quilter and I have been pin basting. I have plagued with puckers and the pinning is hard on my back. I tried your spray basting method and it worked perfectly. What a great help – makes me want to do more quilting.
Thank you for linking up with the Tips and Tutorials Festival!
Wow! Fabulous tutorial – thanks!
I’m definitely going to give this a try. I’m not sure I’m brave enough not to add some pins (just in case!)
Love this idea. I will have to use it. Looks better than my floor.
Thanks for the table version of spray basting. Might try it on my next quilt which isn’t too big.
Thank you so much for the thorough instructions. I’m going to try spray basting my next quilt . I love that you do it outside. What a great idea.
I learned things! Thanks! One question, I was told to spray the batting and not the backing and top. Do you think this makes a difference?
It seems to work better to spray them separately and I use less spray. It’s easier to handle the top and backing separately rather than a sticky batting.
I love spray basting, but have not used it on a large quilt. Thanks for sharing your technique using the table with large quilt draping over the side!
The one time I used spray basting, my quilt came out wrinkly. I don’t think I ironed it though after it was finished being sprayed. Maybe I will try again on a smaller project. I was disappointed in the way it came out since I had put a lot of time in making the quilt, but after these pointers, I will try again.
It took me a couple tries to get the hang of it. Don’t worry – each one gets better and easier 🙂
Christa Watson Instagram @christaquilts website/blog: ChristaQuilts.com Click here to join my facebook group: Quilt with Christa
Hi Christa, I have often said that I have ESP (Extra Sensory Perception) and it must have been working again very recently. This digest about spray basting could not have come at a better time. As I have just completed piecing a quilt top, I was considering spray basting but, looking at your previous posts using a design wall made me wonder if it was for me. Now seeing how it can be done on a table has renewed my consideration of spray basting. I will have to let you know how I manage it when we meet at the Australian Machine Quilting Festival during the class I have booked with you.
Very interesting .
hi Christa, I also like spray basting and use a rolling pin just as you would use for pastry to flatten out my quilt and batting. Ive also been known to use a small bit of Gorilla tape as it does not leave residue on the fabric. I use a smaller table than you have and work in sections succesfully. thanks for the tutorial
Thanks Christa, great tips for spray basting!
Beautiful quilt and great tutorial, but if I tried to set mine up like that, the whole shebang would be in the next county before I could get the cap off the spray basting can!!! 🙂
The wind blows on our hill year round!! 😦
I totally understand you. I live where it’s so windy & we have pastures all around so lots of dust & manure dust on windy days. I have to wait & pick a day with good weather & no wind. In the meantime, I want to get quilting so end up using a different method. I need an enclosed garage or shed empty just for this but who keeps a clean empty garage?? Lol