how to assemble quilt top, batting and backing

Place the quilt backing wrong side up on a large, flat surface. Lay the quilt top, right side up, on top of the batting. Typically, to make the most of your fabric you want to use horizontal seams for 40″-60″ quilts (pictured above) and vertical seams for quilts that are 61″ or larger (pictured below). For areas where there is a long cold season, quilts must always have batting … Make sure there are no wrinkles or folds in your backing. (#16)(#17). For example, the lap-size top is 45″ x 66″. If you've acquired a quilt top and want to finish and display it, the process of adding batting requires a bit of effort, but the end result will be worthwhile. It's easy to make quilt backing, and the backing layer can be created from either regular quilting cotton or wide panels of fabric made especially for the task. If you are planning on hand quilting your quilt, then this technique is ideal for you. You basting should typically be 3” or 4” apart. (photo # 1a), If you have a large enough table or cutting area you can lay your batting out onto it, but I have to use the cleaned floor in my sewing room. Smooth out and continue across the quilt. I sewed around the very edge of the dark border using a dark thread. This is also known as ‘basting’ our quilt. I used a lighter thread that would match my fabrics. Measure 3 inches out from the edge of the quilt top, on all sides, making a light marking with a pencil, chalk or sewing marker. Pin around the entire quilt to hold the layers together. Also then do I do the binding? Add 8 inches to both measurements to make sure you have an extra 4 inches all the way around to make allowance for the fabric that is taken up in the quilting process as well as having adequate fabric for the quilting … Place the batting on top of the backing fabric and center it. Most people start in the middle and work outwards, smoothing as they pin. Traditionally, when making a quilt backing, the width of the fabric is used to span the length of the quilt top. Lay it out flat on your work surface and center your pieced top on it. Piece the binding strips end to end and bind the quilt … … Janeen’s prolific range of hand-made quilts (she takes commissions for personalized, stylish portrait quilts), as well as her unique quilt patterns (think quilts featuring safari animals and trees, or kids toys) are inspired by her environs; she lives in sunny Pretoria in South Africa, with her husband and kids. I also went around the inside edge of the dark border. When shopping for quilt backing some people like to purchase inexpensive fabric, or plain muslin for the backing of their quilts. You can trim your back down to this size, but don’t cut it to the same size as the quilt top. For those who are more visual, here’s a picture created to illustrate the same thing. The layers will be joined together in preparation for quilting. Center the quilt top on top of the batting with its right side up and smooth away wrinkles. The only part of making a quilt that I do not enjoy is sewing the quilt back. Carefully pin all three layers together inside the quilt blocks. This method works very well when you have a flat surface big enough to hold the whole sandwich. The batting also needs to be larger than the top but not larger than the backing. I am making an assumption before you start that you pressed your quilt top and backing and they are ready to go. Therefore, one width of fabric will only cover a quilt top that is less than 42”, or 30” when factoring in selvages and overhang. If the quilt is wider than the normal 45” fabric (it is also a good idea to measure the exact width of the fabric you are purchasing as widths vary from 40-45”), then you will need two lengths, i.e Lay the quilt top on the floor, right side facing up. The owl and all Janeen’s other patterns are for sale here at Craftsy. Then I flip over half the batting, spray the backing and pull the batting over to place it down. One caveat here with this second method. But she also shared with me that you do not close the pins until you have the whole sandwich pinned, making it easier to remove and reset the pins should you need to while working through the project. Check the reverse side of the quilt top and remove loose threads. I have done both. It's easy to make quilt backing, and the backing layer can be created from either regular quilting cotton or wide panels of fabric made especially for the task. Also check the size of the batting and backing to guarantee you won’t be delaying the work while you run out to get a bigger backing or batting. That means you will add 4” to the width and 4” to the length of the pieced top to determine the size of the batting layer. …. Take your first strip and lay it WRONG side down on the left edge of the quilt backing/batting sandwich. It’s your choice. Here’s the quilt top and backing fabric I chose for a modern Christmas table topper. For an experienced quilter, putting together your quilt sandwich is just all part of the process, but I can tell you that even experienced quilters can occasionally learn something new. (#2). The extra inches are your insurance policy that your back doesn’t suddenly become smaller than the front. Tape down the edges on the table as before, leaving the middle markings clearly visible. We use 4 pins inside each block, you do not want your fabric or batting to shift while you quilt your layers together. The second method is a bit unconventional but I’ve found it so easy that I prefer it over the first method. Lay the backing fabric on your work surface, right side down, then center the batting on top of the backing and smooth away any wrinkles. As I moved towards the center of the top, I rolled up the edge so that it would fit into the ‘throat’ of my sewing machine, and then turned it around and worked from the other side when it became a little too cramped. Most people will tell you to trim your quilt exactly on the edge of the quilt top, but if I can, I like to scoot my ruler out about 1/16″ to 1/8″ outside the edge of the quilt top. If you have a bigger quilt top, and you need to piece your backing, do that now. I can always trim the batting if it is too large but harder to make it bigger if too small, although I have pieced batting together as needed with satisfactory results it is always best to do that before sending it to the longarm quilter. Then turn over spray the backing and have your quilt rolled evenly on a pool noodle. Not only is fleece soft and cozy, but it comes in a variety of colors, prints and patterns, making it an exciting fabric to use for quilt backing. First, cut all three layers – backing, batting and top – the same dimension. Next lay the batting on top of the backing, lining up the middle markings on both the backing and the batting, and keeping the 2”overlap on the backing on each end. If you have understood this so far, you probably already know that the backing is 8” longer and wider than the pieced top. Peg Spradlin demonstrates how to apply batting properly to your quilts. You will need to buy Batting and a fabric for your mini-quilt at a quilt shop. Find out what he/she wants you to do to prepare your project for quilting, and what the quilter prefers to do himself/herself. Flannel sheets make the softest quilt backings. So, if you insist on going diagonal, you probably first want to prep all in place with some breakable white thread and big stitches, before you begin using your sewing machine. Now you are done and have made your own mini-quilt. She does it all with a passion. Read ahead: What Is Quilt Batting? There are many, many ways to make a quilt back. A quilt sandwich is made of three layers- a backing fabric, batting and then a quilt top. Once you’ve smoothed it and worked out the bumps, roll it up – like you would a jelly roll. Or crochet? That’s all for now. May 8, 2014 By Rose Fine Crafts 2 Comments. All really beautiful!! I have a thinner denser batting. If your backing fabric is too small to go across as one piece, you can always cut two pieces of fabric and join them down the middle. You can pin baste it using safety pins, or baste it with needle and thread. With this process, you start with the batting. Quilting: sewing through multiple layers of fabric to create one thick layer - typically involves three parts: cloth top, batting middle, cloth bottom. They should both be about the same size (which should be 2 – 3 inches larger all the way around your quilt top). Backing also needs to be longer than the quilt top and batting because sometimes if you’re table-top pin basting on a narrow table, the layers aren’t quite parallel to one another. Some call the batting layer as padding or wadding. Quilt artist Janeen van Niekerk is an avid quilter. Put the backing, right side down, on the biggest table you've got, or on a VERY clean floor. You don't want the back of your quilt to wear out long before the top. After that, you will need to fold the batting onto the sprayed backing fabric. Quilting A quilt sandwich is made of three layers- a backing fabric, batting and then a quilt top. At this point, you can check the overhang on each side of the table to ensure that the layers are all positioned correctly. Copyright © 2021 FineCraftGuild – owned & operated by Aryta Ltd. She gives tips on where to lay out this fabric so that it is flat and not hanging off the edge of a table, even if it is a large quilt. Or,… continue your journey with Quilting patterns, tutorials and ideas  featured here at FineCraftGuild.com (beyond Janeen’s quilting course). Sew with the fleece side down, against your sewing machine’s feed dogs. If the quilt backing is pieced, press all the seam allowances open. This was so that I could hold down the fabric and keep it smooth as I was sewing. Bindings can also be hand sewn, but I don’t have that kind of patience, I just sew neatly in a straight line onto the edge of my binding. Step 2: Tape Down the Edges. Top. Again, tape the backing down to hold it while you work, smooth the batting and pieced top and baste. The result is a super soft and heavy quilt. … (#8) Don’t cut your quilt top borders any smaller – just the batting. (#15), It makes a neat mitered corner that you can sew down as you go around the edge of the top. Fussy cutting ~ How to Make a Quilt: Free Quilting Beginners Class, How to finish a quilt: add backing, batting and how to bind a quilt, How to Make a Modern Lap Quilt, the next steps, How to finish a Quilt :: Modern Lap Quilt, How to Wear a Triangle Shawl – 5 Ways to Wrap Your Knitwear, How to Knit Smooth Edges – Selvage Edge Stitch Knitting Tutorial, Easy Afghan Blanket Crochet Patterns – gorgeous free lattice design, DIY Santa Advent Calendar Knitting Project, Halloween Garden Chicken Wire Ghost: Awesome Sculpture Tutorial, Easy Light Switch Upgrade DIY that’s Simple and Elegant, How to Make an Embellished Recycled Sweater Blanket, House Slippers Knitting Pattern with Pompoms. 🙂 If you wanted to add batting, I would use a medium-loft batting and layer the quilt top, backing and batting the same as shown in step 4 of this coaster tutorial (but obviously it would be on a bigger scale). Basting Quilt Layers together 1. You have to make a sandwich of the quilt. Tips and Tricks for Backing: Measure your quilt top vertically and horizontally. If you want to sew it diagonally instead, you’ll have to ensure that the tension is perfect / all layers is perfectly aligned, so that none of the layers will ‘pull’. I’m sure you can guess what the next step is…  Lay the pieced top on the batting, centering it too so that you have the 2” overlap of the batting showing all around. For example, the lap-size top is 45″ x 66″. I will add one more note here on basting. The batting and quilt back fabric needs to be at least 2" (5cm) bigger all round. There should be 1" of batting extending beyond the top of the quilt top and 7" extending at the bottom as the quilt is loaded on the machine quilting frame for longarm machine quilting. To ensure you have “wiggle” room, you want your batting to be 2” bigger all around. Open clamps and re-clip in place. BTW. Join our free online quilting workshops, which you can take at your leisure, any time you want. Now lay the backing down wrong side up on a long table with the middle markings at about the center of the length of the table. Barb Bergquist along with husband, Ron, own A Block Away Quilt Shop. From seasonal clothing to home decor ideas, you will find it all here at Fine Craft Guild. Baste with your favorite method. We just need it to be really flat, not stretched out. If there's any overhang, trim the batting so it's the same size as the backing. I had a friend explain to me that curved safety pins are much easier to work with when basting the quilt sandwich because they are curved. And with so many step-by-step photos, this is arguably the best tutorial on FineCraftGuild. Lay the top on the batting so all edges match evenly. This is a fun step where you will begin to see your quilt take shape. After your backing and batting have been cut correctly, you are ready to move on to assembling your quilt. Start by marking the middle of the fabric on both ends (whether it is lengthwise or widthwise doesn’t matter) of all three layers – backing, batting and the pieced top. A dedicated quilter with more than 25 years of experience, she is now actively sharing her love of quilting through the work in her shop. Smooth out the pieced quilt on top of the other two layers. Flannel sheets make the softest quilt backings. Finishing A Quilt Part 2- Adding Batting and Backing - YouTube How to Make a Quilt Step 5 – Layer & Baste or Attach to Quilting Frame If you are pin basting, you want to make sure that you are using non-rusting pins. These should be slightly larger than your quilt front, to allow for any scrunching the fabric may do during the sewing process. “Now that our quilt top is done, we need to make a "quilt sandwich" with batting and a backing fabric. Many, many ways to make a quilt sandwich is made of three layers- a backing fabric onto the surface! 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Machine embroidery your purpose is to enhance the surface of your quilt,. Work so easily if you follow the instructions exactly, it is up to you though which basting method want!, on top of the batting on top of the backing with this process, you even... ( they both just need to push and pull on the backing border using a dark thread should typically 3. Sewing machine ’ s time for the pieced quilt top and baste backing well, using smoothing spray or.... Corner and along one side the quilt backing/batting sandwich, clip, or baste it with needle and thread 2014! A 1/2-inch seam be quilted by hand Rose Fine Crafts 2 Comments lined!, so it 's the same size as the backing to shift while you work on of... Prefer to choose a backing fabric and horizontally this was so that the top and bottom of your rolled. And place the quilt batt to make sure that you can trim your doesn... Blocks and sashing strips into three rows as shown above 'd like to inexpensive.

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