I needed a post to send people to in regards to making a quilt sandwich and basting. I know there are several ways of doing this, and I highly recommend trying several tutorials to find the best technique that suits you. Below, you will find my method. This is what I do, and it makes me happy. Quilting should make you happy. If something makes you grumpy, don't do it. :)
Supplies
Needed:
Quilt back
Batting of choice that is at least 4" larger on all sides than your quilt top. I love Dream Cotton.
Blue painters tape (Buy the old school kind with no words on it like the one here that is linked, if you can. It has a stronger tack.)
505 Basting Spray, optional but follow the directions on the can
Basting pins size 2 or 3
Kwik Klips for aiding in the closing of pins, optional
*It
is recommended that quilt backs are at least 4" wider, or your hand's
width, on all four sides than the quilt tops. This is necessary for
anyone who wants to free motion quilt, as the extra width allows for
the hands to have something to hold onto when the needle reaches the
edges of the quilt. I find this number to be a little excessive for
straight line quilting on my home machine, but that is my personal preference. And as always, follow the instructions of the long arm quilter you plan to use, if you are not quilting it yourself. If using basting spray, read the can
before starting.
Once
your quilt top and backing are done, you will need to create a quilt
sandwich before basting. I like to work on a large hard surface,
which typically ends up being my clean living room or kitchen floor.
Using
a freshly pressed backing, lay it on the floor right side down.
Using painter's tape, tape one side down. Move to the opposite side, and gently pull the quilt as you tape it to the floor. Repeat for the other two sides.
You will want the backing to be taut but not so much it distorts any
of your piecing.
Place
your batting down on top. Starting from the center, gently smooth the batting out working your way out to the sides. Try to get as little wrinkles as possible. I like to keep my batting within the quilt back, so trim any excess batting with
scissors.
Place
your freshly pressed quilt top face up. (If spray basting, this is where I will spray baste. I think most cans say to spray both sides of the batting, but I do not do that. Just one side of the batting works for me.) Very carefully, smooth out
any wrinkles working from the center out like you did with the batting.
Starting
in the center of the quilt, pin baste about every four to five inches
or a fist width apart. The Kwik Klips is handy with closing safety
pins, but I have used a skewer as well in the past. And of course, you could just use your fingers. But I reach for my Kwik Klips a lot.
Tip: If your quilt is large, try not to walk on or move around too much while on your quilt. This could pull the quilt out from under the tape and/or create unwanted wrinkles.
Tip: If your quilt is large, try not to walk on or move around too much while on your quilt. This could pull the quilt out from under the tape and/or create unwanted wrinkles.
Basted! Now remove the tape, and head over to the machine to quilt.
xx nancy
One year ago: Fabric baskets
Two years ago: High Point Market
Three years ago: NY Beauty Circle of Geese
Four years ago: Turn a lampshade into a pendant
My quilting book released Sept. 24, 2015 and is on Amazon. Check it out!
This post contains affiliate links. I have linked to products I personally use. I receive a small, a very small, commission if you choose to purchase anything. Thank you for supporting owen's olivia.
xx nancy
One year ago: Fabric baskets
Two years ago: High Point Market
Three years ago: NY Beauty Circle of Geese
Four years ago: Turn a lampshade into a pendant
My quilting book released Sept. 24, 2015 and is on Amazon. Check it out!
This post contains affiliate links. I have linked to products I personally use. I receive a small, a very small, commission if you choose to purchase anything. Thank you for supporting owen's olivia.
Great tutorial! for those of us with rugs I secure my edges with safety pins right into the rug.
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