Straight Backing
 

I usually piece my backing, a lot of times with leftover blocks or fabric from the front. I find it very difficult to make sure the back is aligned correctly with the front since I can't really see it once I put the batting on and both the batting and the back are bigger than the front. Any hints?

You might try finding the center of each and sticking a pin or two and then matching them up

Like stitchnripper said -- put a pin through the center of the front and through to center of back, then also put a pin through each side and/or top and bottom, then safety pin together before basting the quilt. Since I pin and/or thread baste this works well. It would be trickier with glue or spray basting. I also design my backs with wiggle room in mind. I try to not be so picky with the edges of the back design that they have to even up exactly with the front in all respects. As long as the back's not crooked, it doesn't have to be perfectly centered to look good.

I find the center edges of both sides and run a long pieceof crochet thread through them. Lay and tape the back, lay and smooth batt, line up top and back threads and adjust until they are aligned. and fine adjust the corners

Great ideas, but, I glue baste and this works great for me too.

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. One of those suggestions that seem so obvious but I never occurred to me!

Do you find thread-basting easier than pinning?

As mentioned, either put a fold at the top and bottom or stick straight pins on either end to keep the center straight. That's what I've been doing. Plus I add a line with an ink pin on the inner side of each as they won't show once it's been trimmed.