I like to machine quilt my small projects on my home machine. For me, I consider “small” anything about 48 x 48″ and smaller. You may decide what you consider small to differ from my idea. For anything larger than my size parameter, I hire a long-arm quilter to do the job. It’s easier for them to work on the larger projects because they have those large machines, of course! Anyway, I thought I’d share my tips on preparing a quilt top for machine quilting.
Tip #1
To make my quilt sandwich, I like to cut my backing and batting about 1-2″ larger on all sides than my quilt top. This guarantees that my whole quilt top will have coverage. If you cut the backing and batting exactly to the size of your quilt top, you could accidentally shift things while basting and/or quilting and end up with an area along the edge of your quilt that does not have batting and backing. Believe me, you don’t want to pick out machine quilting stitches!
If you need to seam together fabric for your backing, be sure to iron the seam open and flat to relieve bulk.
Tip #2
There are a few steps to prepare your quilt top before “sandwiching” it. Make sure all your seams are all pressed flat, whether you press them to to the side or open. Flat seams make for a flat, less bulky quilt top for quilting. Also, remove any stray threads from the quilt top. Especially the ones that are in the seams. When you’re piecing a quilt top, threads often get caught in the seams (see below).
Tip #3
When starting the quilt sandwich, make sure creases and wrinkles are ironed out of the backing. Find a large table and tape the backing, right side down, to the table top to keep it smooth and tight without stretching it out of shape. Start on one side and make your way to the other side while smoothing out the backing as you go.
Once the backing is secured, lay the batting on top, smoothing it out. Be careful not to wrinkle the backing below.
Finally, center the quilt top on top of the batting. Smooth carefully so wrinkles are not created in the batting and you do not stretch the quilt top out of shape.
Tip #4
Now it’s time to baste the quilt top.
Method #1 – Thread Basting: You can use white thread and a long running basting stitch in a grid pattern. Space the stitching 4 to 6″ apart. Start in the center of the quilt sandwich and work your way out.
Since the stitches are long and widely spaced, you can clip and remove the basting from each section you are quilting as you go.
Method #2 – Pin Basting: This is the method I use. I pin 3 to 4″ apart, starting in the center of the quilt top and working out. I also like to stagger the pinned rows. I like to use curved safety pins made specifically for quilt basting.
Once the quilt top is basted, it’s ready for quilting! Like I said earlier, this is the way I prepare to machine quilt my small projects. There are many, many great resources for machine quilting. Try my tips… try other’s tips … try mine and other’s together. This will help you to find the right way for you!
I will cover the actual machine quilting in next week’s post. Comment below on some of your favorite machine quilting tips, and/or what you think of mine, to be entered into the ongoing pattern drawing for my pattern Warm & Wooly Welcome.
The drawing will be on Monday, March 2nd. Until next week…
Happy Quilting!
Deanne
***We have a winner! Congrats, Debbie Gross!***
All great tips to follow. I quilt
In a sit down unit and follow all your tips. I do need to remember to square the corners more. 😉
Thank you ❣️
Great tips. I also leave at least 2″ of batting and backing on all sides, not only does it prevent that shortage you mentioned, but it also gives my hands something to hang onto when quilting the outer edges. One of the things I also do is add some safety pins, pinning the batting and backing together on the outer edge of those extra inches. That has helped me from having the extra backing accidentally fold itself under then I am quilting the outer sides which also requires un-quilting.
Good idea pinning the outer edges. I have in the past folded over an edge while quilting. Like I said in the post, picking out machine quilting stitches is not fun!
Instead of taping the backing fabric to a table top, sometimes you can use large binder clips to clamp down the backing. Picnic table clips can work also. It just depends on the edge width of your table.
I like the idea of the picnic table clips and binder clips. Any way you can secure that backing!
Great tips. I have to remember to square up my corners on my quilt I am learning I am new at this it’s always helpful to read your blog. Thank you.
I tried quilting a small table runner and it was ok.
I should have used your tip to secure the backing down. This is something I really want to learn to do. As this year I’m going to make a wall of small quilts. So your tips couldn’t have come at a better time.
I always appreciate and love your tips. Thank you!
Just starting to quilt on my little sewing machine, thanks for the tips!!
Do you have a thread preference??
I like to use Aurifil 50 wt 100% cotton thread. It’s the same thread I use to piece also. Comes in a lot of colors so you can find one that blends in the best with your quilt top.
Great tips. I’ve tried both thread basting and using safety pins. I now use quilt basting spray. It works so much better for me.
I’ll have to try the spray. I have not done that yet.
I love the idea of taping the backing down. I use basting spray. Have you ever tried that?
I have not tried it. I will have to try it in the future.
I enjoy reading your tips as I don’t do a lot of machine quilting- any little tip helps
Love the tips you provide. I’m relatively new to quilting. I currently pin baste my quilts.