Preparing the Quilt Top
Press all seams flat and in the same direction while piecing the top together. If the seams are pressed in different directions, they will leave a lump in the quilt where the pieced blocks come together. The quilt top MUST be accurately squared with straight sides; otherwise the quilting pattern will end up skewed and out of alignment. Plus, You'll end up with a cock-eyed quilt!
The top should be clean and pressed with no fold lines or wrinkles. Quilting won't remove these.
Remove all lint, pet hair, and loose threads, especially where the pieced fabric is coming unraveled. These are time consuming to remove if they've been quilted over.
Stay-stitch any pieced outer edges whose seams may loosen or separate.
Mark the top edge of the quilt, if there is one.
The top should be clean and pressed with no fold lines or wrinkles. Quilting won't remove these.
Remove all lint, pet hair, and loose threads, especially where the pieced fabric is coming unraveled. These are time consuming to remove if they've been quilted over.
Stay-stitch any pieced outer edges whose seams may loosen or separate.
Mark the top edge of the quilt, if there is one.
Preparing the Backing
If the back needs to be pieced, it's better to have the seams run horizontally from side to side, rather than top to bottom. This prevents the quilt from building up thicker in the middle as the seam is repeatedly rolled over itself on the frame. This is not as important on shorter quilts as it is on bed-sized quilts.
Backing should be clean, lint and thread free.
Press all creases and wrinkles out of the backing. Quilting won't remove them, and could sew them into the fabric.
Mark the top of the backing if there is a side that you'd like to be the top edge.
Backing should be clean, lint and thread free.
Press all creases and wrinkles out of the backing. Quilting won't remove them, and could sew them into the fabric.
Mark the top of the backing if there is a side that you'd like to be the top edge.
Preparing the Batting
The batting should be trimmed to a minimum of 6 inches wider than the top, (3 inches each side), and at least 4 inches longer. Don't make it wider than the backing, it rolls unevenly on the frame and is hard to clamp down. The top edge should be even with straight sides. Mark the top edge. If the batting is pieced, use heat tape on both front and back along the seam. This will keep it from separating during quilting.
I can provide "Warm and Natural" batting, if desired. The price is the going rate at Jo-Ann in Fresno. This is usually cheaper than buying packaged batting and throwing the sometimes large amount of excess away. I will measure and cut the minimum amount needed at no extra charge.
I can provide "Warm and Natural" batting, if desired. The price is the going rate at Jo-Ann in Fresno. This is usually cheaper than buying packaged batting and throwing the sometimes large amount of excess away. I will measure and cut the minimum amount needed at no extra charge.