I once backed an 85" square quilt with a center panel surrounded with a large mitered border in contrasting color. It was a clever and stylish way to use what was available in stash but sent me jumping around the living room in fits (no exaggeration) trying to miter that large outer border and then center and layer it, especially with the top edged with 324 teen tiny prairie points that faced outward. Eventually, thanks to the shifting nature of fabric, husbandly support, a chocolate or two, the entire mess was wrangled into submission, basted thoroughly, and hand-quilted. The back is not perfect, but looks very good considering the mental and physical effort required. My guess is that most complex backs are not perfect to their makers but look fine to everyone else.

I am about to start a baby quilt using the quilt as you go method you mention "millisat".
I didn't know I could free motion on it as well. I am excited to try that. Makes such perfect sense. Can't wait to get started.

The only way I can think of to get the back and front to always aline perfectly is to do "quilt as you go". I recently finished a completely/matching/reversible quilt in this fashion. It's basically a large, rectangular "log cabin" but with cute scallops on the top and bottom. I started with all three layers in the center and built outwards cutting and using all three layers working outward. As I stitched on each log, the quilt was effectively stitched in the ditch. This was a great way for me to practice my domestic sewing machine/free motion quilting and I chose to do something different in every round. Of course not every quilt lends itself to this, but I loved how quickly it went together and what I got to learn (scallops, quilt as you go, free-motion practice, scalloped binding, etc.) as I was working on it.

I have decided that since this is a very basic rail fence I am not going to try and kill myself and I am going to use a different back. It is for my son and he will just toss it around like an old blanket. I will use the original back as a top and call it quits.
I have learned a lot just by posting my dilemma. Thanks for all the advice guys!

PosyP wrote: Let me know where you find yours!

It was the Patsy Thompson lesson that made me think that spray basting would be the way to go, prior that I was planning on tacking, having updated (in my mind) from ordinary thread to the washable one.

Now all I need is a design wall and a round tuit

Rosemary

Check out Patsy Thompson's video in the TQS Classroom to see a great way to spray baste on your design wall!

[url]learn/classrooms/[/url]

I tired spray basting this quilt with 505 (lots of it) and ended up using pins as well as the spray. It took two people to achieve the sandwich. Poor DH, he had to endure lots of shouted orders as if he was in the military! But spray basting appears to work well for my smaller wall quilts.

I think I didn't us 505...that might have been the problem.

I've been using 505 basting spray and haven't had it change. . .one quilt that I spray basted was that way for two years before I finally got it quilted. My quilt practice sandwich is on its third year and the sandwich is still stuck together nicely.

I agree with Ferret. I have had spray basting disappear (evaporate?) in the middle of quilting. I'd do both and keep the pins or basting closer than usual.

I wouldn't use spray baste on it's own I don't think it would hold tight enough to keep this perfect. Maybe spraybaste then pin or tack?

Ferret

This is exactly what is holding up the quilting of my current quilt. I've made the front and back the same size as the blanket that I will be using as the wadding (batting) and now have to try and get the three layers all together and lined up. I've been playing with the idea that spray basting might be the solution, otherwise it is going to be a mega pinning and tacking job to get it under control. Still that should keep me out of mischief for some time to come

Libbi, I went to your profile and checked out your beautiful quilt. It's grand! I like your advice too. BJ