Quote Originally Posted by HandsomeRyan View Post
Another vote for basting spray! I didn't use it on my first quilts but once I discovered how wonderful it is I'll never go back. It is messy so mask off your floor or wherever you use it but it is so much better than using a million pins.

We usually trim the batting to be a few inches bigger than the front then spray baste it to the backing which is taped to the floor. Then we add the top and trim to be 2-3" oversized. You can do more than that or less but I have found on full sized quilts that 2-3" all around is a very comfortable amount of extra. If I'm doing a table runner or other small project I usually only leave an inch or so.

I do a lot of SITD'ing and while it is never perfect, no one but you is going to notice if you are a little off.

Good luck! Nothing feels better than completing your first quilt. For me the quilting was scary but the binding was scarier. Just take your time and it'll look great! Oh, and post pictures. We love pictures!
I do the same. I extend the batting about 1" from the top, and the backing about 2-3".
I'm a huge fan of spray baste, as well.
But IMHO, quilting along a seam, at a quarter of an inch is a lot more forgiving than SITD. If joined blocks are a 'tad' off, make up the difference gradually..
I'm still taking baby steps, but I'll get there.
My best to you, Vonnie!
This is a 'new to me' technique, but I'm a FAN!