Layering and Basting a Quilt
I've finished quilt tops for my sisters (3) Christmas gifts for 2010. I'm trying to machine quilt them...is there a secret to keeping your sandwich taunt when doing this process??? I did pin and stitch in the ditch on I made for myself. I had several spots where the fabric was not taunt, and there was puckering. Any suggestions?? Do I need to purchase a machine quilting hoop to keep it taunt?? Could you recommended some?? ANSWER:First off, congratulations on getting three tops done for Christmas. That is an achievement!Layering and basting the quilt sandwich is a job that should be done carefully, because it effects that quality of the finished quilt. When I first started quilting, I really didn't think it was a big deal, but learned after quilting tucks into the backing, that it very important. My kitchen floor has 12" ceramic tile, which is helpful for keeping the quilt straight, so that is where I baste. To start, create your quilt backing. Add 6"-8" to both the length and width measurements. (i.e. for a 60"x80" quilt top, I'd cut or create a backing of 68" - 88"). If the quilt will hang on the wall, do make sure the lengthwise grain runs top to bottom. This will lend stability to the quilt and it will hang better without sagging. To piece a back, use a 1/2" seam to piece your back, pressing it open to distribute bulk. Press. If you've had trouble moving the quilt sandwich as you quilt, you can starch quilt fabric for your backing. It will slide easier. A quilting hoop, like the Quilt Halo, is meant as an aid to help you move the quilt, not to keep that layers pulled taut. Lay your backing, seam allowance side up, on a large, flat, clean surface. Now with masking tape, tape the centers of one pair of opposite sides. Now tape the other pair of opposite sides. VERY IMPORTANT: Pull your fabric taut, but not stretched, as you tape. The whole purpose of taping the backing down is to control it after it's covered by the batting and quilt top. Continue taping, first one set of opposite corners, then the other set of opposite corners. You're probably detecting the pattern now. If you tape in one place, you'll need to next tape it's opposite side. Continue to pull taut. Stretching causes distortion and puckers in your quilt top. Now fill in all the sides, alternating between opposites, until the backing is securely taped. Now test your tape job. Run you palm over the backing fabric, pressing down about as hard as you would to wipe the tears from a child's face. If a "bubble" appears in front of your hand, you'll need to pull the fabric and retape in that direction. Again, pull it taut, don't stretch it. For smaller, wall quilts, you will probably make fewer adjustments to the tape. For larger quilts, I always have to adjust my tape. It's just how it is. Once you are satisfied your backing is stable, layer your batting (again cut 6"-8" inches bigger than your quilt top) on top of the backing and smooth. Next center and layer your quilt top. Smooth. I pin baste with short, curved safety pins. (The curves ones are easier for me to close.) Remember, avoid pinning in the seam lines you'll be ditch quilting or stabilizing first. Don't make more work for yourself. Begin pinning from the center out. I pin in the center and then bring a line of pins out to the left, to the right, to the top and to the bottom to section the quilt top in quadrants. Continue pinning. When you're finished, layer your palm on the quilt top. You should feel at least two pins. You certainly can add more. Too few pins allows your quilt top to shift as you quilt. That can cause tucks in the front. A good layering and quilt basting job can make all the difference in avoiding tucks in your quilting. I hope I've answered your question completely. Thank you for asking! Piecefully, Julie Baird Editor TO OUR READERS: I neither thread baste (I quilt with too much gusto and stitch right over the threads making it a mess to take out) nor spray baste (I don't have a large well ventilated area to do it in). If you can help with either of these techniques, do join in and add your comments! Or if you pin baste differently, we'd love to hear that, too.
|
