The backing is another 2” on each side, adding another 4” to the batting size (and 8” to the pieced top size) so it is 48” x 68”. Most longarmers ask for a backing that is 8-10" larger than the quilt top in each direction, which provides 4-5" of excess backing all the way around the quilt. Stitch. You can get away with minimal quilting while still having a quilt that won’t fall apart after the first wash. Batting for your crib-size quilt will measure 45 inches by 60 inches to accommodate a crib-size quilt. Twin-size batting comes in rolls of 72 inches by 96 inches to accommodate a twin-size quilt top. Your batting will be 2” longer and wider on each side, so adding 4” to each measure makes your batting size 44” x 64”. That type of binding is not as durable as double-fold binding but is an option for quilts that won't receive heavy use. After you have your size and materials mapped out, it’s time to start thinking about your design. Painter’s tape Flatter smoothing spray or some type of starch. The quilt sandwich consists of backing, batting, and the quilt top. Your backing should also be pressed especially if it is heavily wrinkled. Seams should be pressed open and lie flat. And this last image shows what it looks like if you have plenty of backing fabric at the bottom also. This is a personal decision based on the finished look you want to achieve. There are several different types of batting available on the market today and they offer a variety of finished looks so you should do your research before you decide. This is one of the single most important things you can do when constructing your quilt to ensure a finished product that you'll be happy with. Your backing was all ready to go for home quilting. That means your backing should be at least 6" to 8" wider and taller than your quilt top, more if you prefer (and even more backing) to fold it and bring it to the front of the quilt to create a self-binding. Prior to sewing on your first border measure your quilt top down the middle and also on each side of the middle, take the average of those three measurements and that is what you should cut your border fabric. Cut your batting and backing at least 2” bigger than your Quilt Top all the way around Make sure your fabric is flat when cutting your backing and batting. Do the same for the border fabric. For this project you will need 1 ¼ yards of fabric for the back. 80/20 cotton/poly is lightweight and will allow some shrinkage when washed. Example, your quilt top measures 60" x 80" therefore your backing and batting should each measure 66" x 86". Smooth out the pieced quilt on top of the other two layers. Next the batting goes down with no wrinkles. **We use Warm and Natural Batting. The more space you give around the edge of the quilt the easier it’s going to be for the longarm quilter to attach it to the longarm quilting machine. You can learn more about batting in this article I wrote here. Of course, if you are binding a smaller quilt, you should adjust the size of your rulers to fit the project. This is a fact that you may have never crossed your mind. The backing is attached to the muslin leaders on the horizontal bars as shown in this picture. Kind of confusing, right? 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. Try to avoid placing the pins where you'll be stitching. At this point you could baste the layers together, but I prefer pinning. No, I need to load each layer onto my machine separately so they should remain apart. Most quilting magazines have a pullout section of quilting basics and most books have a section dedicated to this subject also. Example of measuring batting from a previous Quilt Along: The batting should be several inches larger than the quilt top all the way around. It is best to start with a quilt block. Then, if youre planning to quilt the project yourself, youll baste the layers together, using thread if youll be hand quilting or safety pins if youll be machine quilting. Secure the backing fabric to the surface at regular intervals. Quilt Top The top layer of a quilt Sandwich. The reason I tried it was that I wanted the quilt to be much warmer than a single layer of warm and natural would have been. *LOL* Unfortunately no we are not. You would need to check with the quilter for their specific requirements. Here you see examples of what it looks like to have it too small and how the quilting machine doesn’t have room to work. And lets. On the sides we have to attach it to clamps to keep the backing straight so we don’t end up with puckers. It should be pressed and free of wrinkles. The sides should be trimmed evenly and square (no jagged edges or sections that are longer than other sections). That means a total of 6-8" longer and 6-8" wider. By visiting our site, you agree to our privacy policy regarding cookies, tracking statistics, etc. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. I try to give myself at least 2 inches or more. Prepare and press the quilt backing. ake sure your back fabric is facing out. Size: you want your batting to be slightly larger than your quilt top (front) and slightly smaller than your quilt back. In other words the backing should be the biggest. Trimming threads, pressing seams, measuring & cutting borders all go a long way in helping turn your quilt top into a lasting heirloom to be enjoyed by many generations. The backing needs to be at least 3” bigger than the quilt top on all four sides because of these leaders and clamps. They typically have three horizontal bars (some have 4) two of them are what the backing is attached to, bottom and top. I hope this helps you to understand how very important it is to make your backing and batting larger than the top. Make sure your batting is larger than the quilt top. To complete the sandwich, youll quilt Happy Quilting! What if you don’t have enough fabric to make the backing bigger than the quilt top? I have the backing a couple inches bigger than the top for a low loft and about five inches for a high loft batting. You should also press open any seam allowances in the backing. With a sit-down machine you can get along with only a couple of extra inches all around the quilt. I just got through spray basting a quilt. The other horizontal bar is a belly bar and it just helps keep a good tension on the backing. There are online tools (like the free Quilt Backing and Batting Calculator) that can help you calculate yardage. Example – 60” x … If you start out with a backing that is the same size or just a little bit bigger than the top you don’t leave room to attach it and still quilt the whole quilt. But it also means that same quilt could be stiff if you added lots of quilting to it thanks to the batting’s stable properties. I found minky at the thrift store for a couple dollars that is a perfect match. The batting also needs to be larger than the top but not larger than the backing. Especially if you are loading it lengthwise. I know if you are quilting by hand or on a domestic sewing machine you don’t have to have the backing and the batting larger because you’re pinning the layers together, you don’t have it attached to the machine itself like we do with the longarm. One of the big things that people always hear from the longarm quilter – I must have the backing 3 to 4 inches bigger than the quilt top on all 4 sides. I piece my backing larger than my batting so that I can see it while quilting. Doing this you always run the risk of some of that fabric being on the back when finished, but not doing it can also mean you can’t get it longarm quilted. That is because your quilter will use that fabric to attach the quilt to the bars and side clamps of their frame. You calculate square inches by multiplying the width by length. This is a close up of the Quilting Safety Pins that we use. Crib-Size Quilt Batting. They should be roughly the same size. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! ! Strips of muslin or scraps can be basted to the sides to enlarge backing if needed. Ensure all batting is same type, thickness and/or brand. This measurement would then be multipied by the price per square inch (ppsi) to calculate the cost of machine quilting before thread, batting and tax are added on. In this first of a series of blog posts I would like to address some questions that I’ve heard people ask about long arm quilting. Tools for trimming a quilt to prepare it for binding. Step 4: Lots of Pinning. Just follow the 6" bigger or 8" bigger rule. Now let’s talk backs. I do my best to enhance your quilt but the real magic begins at home with you the sewer. Pin your border to your quilt working outward from the center to the ends. Measure your quilt top vertically and horizontally. If you choose to send your quilt out to a long arm quilter, they may want a larger square, requiring as much as 4-6 inches of extra batting on each side. Therfore a quilt measuring 60" x 72" would cost $43.20 with meandering, $64.80 with a pantograph and $86.40 & up depending on the type of custom work you want to have done. I've had the back fold under and get quilted in with the top, if that makes sense to you. They are curved which make it easier to pin This is because the batting is held on the machine by rolling it onto a bar/roller. Consider the Seam Allowance No matter what, your backing MUST BE 4-6″ larger than your quilt top, on ALL sides. Ask your quilter -- she might want more. Please make your backing and batting 3 to 4 inches bigger on all four sides. How busy is your fabric and/or quilt top. To pin baste the quilt layers: 1. That depends on a couple of important questions. Your pieced quilt top, backing (pieced to fit, if needed), and batting (backing and batting is at least 4 inches larger than your quilt top on all 4 sides). 1. Find the center of your quilt side (where you are going to attach the border) and mark it with a pin. There are a few ways to fix this problem, you can add extra fabric to the sides and top and bottom. fold back the top and batting and smooth the back into place. For example, the lap-size top is 45″ x 66″. As you sew on multiple borders your quilt will need to be remeasured before starting a new set. Wool is warm and good in cooler climates. *BACK SIZE QUEEN or larger: Cut your backing and batting at least 4” wider and longer than your quilt top on EACH SIDE. Your quilt batting will be always a bit larger in dimension than your quilt top to allow for overhang during quilting. Your quilt back should be a MINIMUM of 3-4" bigger than your quilt top on each side. It should be 6" larger overall than your quilt top. First, youll cut the backing 4 to 6 longer and wider than the quilt top. (there are other horizontal bars in this picture but they aren’t attached to the quilt. Advertisement – I receive a small commission from purchases made thru this link. Make sure your backing and batting are larger than your quilt top. I quilted it with a medium to large meander so the quilting is not the reason for the stiffness. Completed quilt top Batting Backing Fabric Tape (painters or masking) Safety pins large, clean hard surface 100% cotton batting is cool in summer and warm in winter and will give your quilt an antique look once it is washed. How much do you want to see the quilting design? It just sticks out past the quilt top barely a half inch. 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 frame. A descriptive term for the thickness, height and resilience of quilt batting. If I get a quilt in and see the backing is not big enough I can add muslin to the edges so that I can load it into the machine, I will charge extra for that obviously and I will not guarantee that none of the muslin shows on the edges of the quilt after trimming. Here are some examples of what it should look like with the extra fabric on both sides so the clamps can attach and stay out of the way. I know if you are quilting by hand or on a domestic sewing machine you don’t have to have the backing and the batting larger because you’re pinning the layers together, you don’t have it attached to the machine itself like we do with the longarm. Another option would be to add a row of blocks or another fabric down the middle of the backing, this makes it larger and usually looks really nice, this also prevents having a very small narrow piece of fabric around the outside near the binding after trimming, where the extra fabric with stitched to the backing. Add Tip Ask Question Comment Download. So 3 to 4 inches more on the top and 3 to 4 inches more on the bottom than the quilt top is absolutely necessary just to get it loaded on the machine. Unclamp everything and readjust the quilt so that unbasted areas are now on top of the table. You don't want to add fabric in a way that will look awkward. If you need to piece your back you should remove any selvages prior to sewing sections together. For example: your 3 measurements equal 70 down the middle and 70 1/2 on each side of that, cut your border strip 70 1/4. Yes, this is not a problem for me. Your backing and batting should be at least 3" larger on each side than your quilt top. (8” total. High loft batting is thicker and fluffier, usually polyester and used more often for tied quilts. Example, your quilt top measures 60" x 80" therefore your backing and batting should each measure 66" x 86". The batting needed is 51″ (45″ + 6″) x 72″ (66″ + 6″). The top is then placed onto the batting and basted along the top and sides. By understanding why it’s required for the longarm quilter will give a better quilting experience. The batting is cut and placed on top of the backing, smoothed out and the bottom end is tucked under the roller bar. If your quilt is larger than the table, be sure the top and one side are aligned with the edges, clamp around and baste what is on the surface. Should I press my quilt top and back prior to having it quilted? Bigger is OK but it should not be smaller. Definitely, it is actually best if you press as you sew on your quilt top and then give it a final pressing when finished. In other words the backing should be the biggest of the three layers. If the package states the quilting distance is 10 inches, then that batting is pretty stable. Low loft batting is thinner and shows off the quilting stitches. 2. To determine how much backing fabric you need, keep in mind that all sides of a quilt back should be at least 4″ longer than your quilt top. I receive a small monetary compensation for any purchases you might make thru links on my site. At the same time, if you're adding a lot of stitches to the quilt top, the quilt will shrink up a bit, too. Lay the backing fabric right side down on your work surface. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Selecting Your Quilt Batting: Okay, now you know what quilt batting is, why you need it, and the common types of batting. It is much heavier and a bit stiffer in terms of drape. 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. Now lay the top right side up matching the middles of the sides to the backing. Butt edges up to each (don't overlap) and baste together with a whipstitch by hand or use a large zigzag on your machine. Read more. 100% Polyester is lightweight and will keep that smooth polished look even after it's washed (particularly if you pre-wash your fabrics). As you quilt the presser foot actually pushes the quilt top out a bit further. I cannot stress this enough! Place the batting on top of the backing fabric and trim it to fit. For example if your quilt measures 60" wide by 72" long then it would be equal to 4320 square inches. Be sure to place it within the boundaries of the quilt top not the backing or it may end up half on and half off the quilt when finished. Let’s take a look at how a longarm quilting machine works. If the quilt top and the backing start out the same size it simply is not possible. (They both just need to be a few inches larger on all sides than the quilt top.) So if your quilt top measures 50″ x 50″, your backing must be at least 58″ x 58″. Use scissors to trim long stray threads. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Your backing and batting should be at least 3" larger on each side than your quilt top. As for your batting and backing, they should be both cut 6-8 inches larger than the quilt top. Trim all edges even when finished sewing pieces together. You'll need enough pins to put one every 4-5 inches all over the quilt. Did you know that the thickness of your batting determines how much larger than your quilt top, the length of your batting should be cut? Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window). High loft means ¾” - 1” thick and will be great for thicker comforters and blankets—anything you want to make warmer with the extra thickness of the batting. This does’t cost you anything extra, but it does help me greatly. This is a great option for quilts and comforters. Say that your pieced quilt top is 40” x 60”. It should be three to four inches larger than your quilt top on all sides—more if you plan intricate quilting stitches as the backing draws inward as quilting stitches are added. I would not choose to do it this way again because of the stiffness. If the quilt is 24″ by 30″ then you could use a 8.5″ square-up ruler, and your longer ruler could be 10-15″. We ask for 8" larger, which is outlined at Quilting Services Process. One of the big things that people always hear from the longarm quilter – I must have the backing 3 to 4 inches bigger than the quilt top on all 4 sides. Quilt batting comes in all different sizes, loft weights and fibers. I cut my backing and batting a hands with wider than the quilt top, or about 5 inches. You want your batting to be larger than your quilt top (front) by about 4″ bigger than the length and height and slightly smaller than your quilt back. If the clamps are too close to the edge of the quilt top they can interfere with the quilting machine when quilting and cause all kinds of bobbling of the machine. However, the backing and batting may need to be 7-9 inches larger than the quilt top … The batting should be larger than the top to account for any shrinking of the top due to quilting. The project subject also shown in this article i wrote here make thru links on my site ( the... 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Anything extra, but i prefer pinning not the reason for the longarm quilter will that. Be trimmed evenly and square ( no jagged edges or sections that are longer other.