Posted on Monday, October 6, 2008 | By Linda Smoker | 0 Comments

Lesson Number 8: Backing, Basting and Quilting

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Backing, Basting and Quilting

For quilting by hand or with a personal machine, cut the batting and piece the backing, if needed, to be at least 4” larger than the quilt top.  Place the backing right side down on a flat surface.  Smooth and center the batting on top.  Last, layer the quilt top centered, right side up.

Baste the layers together using a large running stitch or by pinning the layers together, beginning at the center and working vertically across and then horizontally. Continue to add pins or lines of basting every 5” until the entire top is secured.  Quilt as desired.

If you decide to hand quilt, you may want to consult a book on quilting techniques and the various quilt patterns that are available. 

If you decide to contact a longarm machine quilter, check to find out what is required in extra inches on batting and backing.  Before quilting, press the quilt top and backing well, opening the backing seams. There is no need to pin or baste the layers together.  The machine quilter will need them separate to individually load them to her machine.

Tags: General Directions, Quilt Lesson