When it comes to quilt making the final product is a reflection of the skill of the quilter.
Accomplished quilters know how all of the steps in the process are essential to the outcome of the quilt.
Even preparing your quilt top is important and is not the time to take shortcuts.
Here are some handy tips to make getting your quilt ready for quilting easier - without compromising on quality.
Choosing the backing How much backing you will need depends on the size of your quilt.
It is best if it is 4" larger all the way around than your quilt top.
This will require the backing to be 8" wider in width and 8" longer in length than the size of your quilt top.
If you are joining two pieces of fabric together for use as a backing, it is best that you make the join on the lengthwise grain.
Sewing the material in this manner will produce the absolute best "environment" for the back of your quilt, ensuring fewer problems when pinning and machine quilting.
Many quilters like to "piece" the backing for their quilt, using up left over fabric.
It is important that you are aware that this can create problems for you when you attempt to machine quilt the quilt.
The possibility of the fabric "swimming" and creating puckering is much higher when the backing has many joins, as they are not always on the straight grain.
For easier and more successful quilting try to stick to just one join down the lengthwise grain.
Once you have completed pinning your quilt, you do not want to have regrets about a decision made to save a few dollars - one that could end up taking the fun out of quilting.
Make wise choices to get the best results.
Making the sandwich Now that you have your quilt top and your backing, you need to decide on the type of wadding you will use.
Your wadding, like your backing should be 4" larger all the way around than your quilt top.
This allows the use of tape or bulldog clips for anchoring the backing and batting down.
On top of these layers, you will place your quilt top in preparation for pinning.
It is wise to press your quilt top and backing before you attempt to assemble the quilt sandwich.
Many times quilters take shortcuts, such as skipping pressing, which can have an undesirable affect on the outcome of the final product.
Pinning the quilt top What is one of the most important tips for pinning a quilt top? Use only good quality stainless steel safety pins.
Using cheap pins in your quilt can end up being a very expensive lesson.
What if something happened and you had to postpone the quilting? If you have used inferior pins, you run the risk of rust ruining your quilt.
The ideal size is approximately 1¼" long pin.
As the pin needs to go through three layers, any smaller will be too hard to close.
A larger gauge pin will leave too big of a hole.
Remember to use the good quality pins found at your quilt shop.
If you use cheap pins you risk having rust ruin your quilt.
A great tool that makes pin basting your quilt layers easier, safer and faster is the KwikKlip.
Using KwikKlip the safety pins close with ease, preventing broken nails, pricked fingers and sore fingertips.
The time it takes to pin baste is reduced dramatically.
Choosing marking tools There are some great choices when it comes to marking quilt designs - there is no need to get in a sweat about it! The decision depends on what type of design you desire on your quilt.
Some options are: freezer paper, quilt and tear paper, Clover blue washout marker, Clover Chaco liner, and Clover water soluble pencils.
A quilting class is the ideal place to gain skills, learn in detail about the different alternatives and discover which you prefer.
Templates are used by some quilters, but are not as popular a choice as the other options for marking.
They can be clumsy and restricting to use.
They are a more expensive choice and do not offer the flexibility that the other marking alternatives provide.