Making and basting a quilt sandwich

A quilt sandwich is backing (right side down), wadding, then the top (right side up), smoothed flat and held with pins, spray or tacking so it doesn't shift while you quilt.

Pinny's tip
Cut the backing and wadding about 10cm bigger than the top all round.

What you'll need

• Backing fabric and wadding: larger than the top.
• Curved safety pins or basting spray: to hold the layers.
• Masking tape: to anchor the backing.

Step by step

1. Press the backing and top.
2. Tape the backing right side down on a clean floor or table, taut but not stretched.
3. Smooth the wadding on top.
4. Centre the quilt top on the wadding, right side up, and smooth from the middle out.
5. Pin through all layers every 10 to 15cm, starting in the middle, or use spray following the can.
6. Remove the tape and start quilting from the centre.

Common mistakes

• Backing not taut. Puckers on the back.
• Pins too far apart. Layers shift.
• Starting at the edge. Work from the middle.

Watch it done

• 🧵 Quilt Sandwich Tricks Every Beginner Should Know- How to Baste Your Quilt. by Just Get it Done Quilts on YouTube. Opens on YouTube; the video belongs to its creator.
• Easy Way to Baste (Sandwich) a Large Quilt | Quilting Tutorial with Amy Gibson by Craftsy on YouTube. Opens on YouTube; the video belongs to its creator.
• How to Table Baste Your Quilt Sandwich by Pin Cut Sew on YouTube. Opens on YouTube; the video belongs to its creator.

Sources

All checked 1 November 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.

1. The Sewing Directory: How to baste a quilt
2. The Sewing Directory: Straight Line Machine Quilting Tutorial
3. YouTube: 🧵 Quilt Sandwich Tricks Every Beginner Should Know- How to Baste Your Quilt. (Just Get it Done Quilts)
4. YouTube: Easy Way to Baste (Sandwich) a Large Quilt | Quilting Tutorial with Amy Gibson (Craftsy)
5. YouTube: How to Table Baste Your Quilt Sandwich (Pin Cut Sew)