Many quilters don't realize that this is a very important step in
the quiltmaking process. Just like a beloved houseplant, it's past treatment will determine the success of the current and future treatment of your project. You've put in lots on hours on your quilt, and you want the best possible outcome from this last stage, the longarm quilting.
Longarm quilting cannot undo uneven seams, wonky borders, shredded edging, missing stitches or too-short backings. A good longarmer can, however, make the best of what you have by minimizing mistakes and maximizing the beauty of your work.
HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO TO ENSURE WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER IN THIS PROCESS:
Press your quilt top and backing flat.
If your backing is pieced, be sure to press the seams open and flat.
Be sure your backing is a MINIMUM of 12" longer and wider than your top. This is to facilitate proper loading on the frame. PLEASE DOUBLE-CHECK THIS ONE, as it can make all the difference in the proper squaring of your quilt!
Your batting needs to be slightly larger than the top. This is because the quilting shrinks up the batting by the very act of repeated stitching through it.
(Remember, I have batting in my studio if you prefer to let me size this for you.)
Trim away any excess threads on front and back. We don't want them inadvertently becoming part of your quilting design! Even so, you can snip every visible thread and by the time you bring it to me more of the little buggers will have appeared.
Don't worry, I'll keep my eye out for them while I'm doing your quilting.
the quiltmaking process. Just like a beloved houseplant, it's past treatment will determine the success of the current and future treatment of your project. You've put in lots on hours on your quilt, and you want the best possible outcome from this last stage, the longarm quilting.
Longarm quilting cannot undo uneven seams, wonky borders, shredded edging, missing stitches or too-short backings. A good longarmer can, however, make the best of what you have by minimizing mistakes and maximizing the beauty of your work.
HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO TO ENSURE WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER IN THIS PROCESS:
Press your quilt top and backing flat.
If your backing is pieced, be sure to press the seams open and flat.
Be sure your backing is a MINIMUM of 12" longer and wider than your top. This is to facilitate proper loading on the frame. PLEASE DOUBLE-CHECK THIS ONE, as it can make all the difference in the proper squaring of your quilt!
Your batting needs to be slightly larger than the top. This is because the quilting shrinks up the batting by the very act of repeated stitching through it.
(Remember, I have batting in my studio if you prefer to let me size this for you.)
Trim away any excess threads on front and back. We don't want them inadvertently becoming part of your quilting design! Even so, you can snip every visible thread and by the time you bring it to me more of the little buggers will have appeared.
Don't worry, I'll keep my eye out for them while I'm doing your quilting.
SQUARING UP YOUR QUILT BACKING
Please be sure to square up your quilt back. This is an easy, yet critical step in ensuring your quilt goes on the frame smoothly and very straight, producing a much more satisfying finish.
Here are the steps:
Please be sure to square up your quilt back. This is an easy, yet critical step in ensuring your quilt goes on the frame smoothly and very straight, producing a much more satisfying finish.
Here are the steps:
- Fold your backing in half, with the selvages lined up together. Hold them up.
- Notice the bottom fold. Is it nice and straight? If yes, go to #4
- If it is NOT straight: while holding the top selvage edges together, gently slide the individual pieces back and forth while keeping an eye on the bottom fold.
- When that’s nice and straight, lay the whole piece down on your cutting table with the straight selvedge edge toward you and the straight fold away from you.
- Feel with your hands to see if there’s any lumps, bumps or wrinkles anywhere.
- Pick up the folded edge and bring it toward you, lining it up with the selvage edge. If your quilt backing is large, you might have to fold it toward you more than once.
- Look at the left and right sides. These need to be straightened too. You’ll have a minimum of four layers of fabric at this point. Look on the sides to see where your SHORTEST side layer is. (Just for explanation, as I advance the quilt on the frame, I line up the edges in order to keep it straight. If it goes off at an angle the quilt quite possibly won't lie flat when done.)
- Take your ruler and line it up perfectly straight on the horizontal folded side and even with the shortest side layer and trim through all the layers. You will now have a perfect right angle for your backing. Repeat on the other side. Voila! Done!
For more tips visit our "Nice to Know" page.