VAll about Quilting
Using 42in-wide fabric
s)FYOURQUILTFRONTISINORLESSONONE
side then you’ll only need one length of
backing fabric. So, for example, for a
36x50in quilt top, you’ll need 1½yds
(54in) of 42in wide fabric, leaving you
with a few extra inches around all edges.
s)FYOURQUILTISLARGERTHANIN FOR
example 59x80in, you’ll need 3½yds of
42in wide fabric 1. Cut the yardage in
half^2 and then re-join the two pieces
along the long sides to give a piece 63in
wide by 84in long (less a little for the
seam)^3 – this is enough for the length of
the quilt^4. Press the seam open to keep
the backing flat.
Using 90in-wide fabric
If you buy backing fabric that’s 90in wide
then you won’t need any joins to make a
59x80in quilt, as the width of the backing
fabric is enough for the length of the quilt
(80in). As a result, you’ll only need to buy
a 59in length, plus a few inches extra, for
example 1¾ yd (63in).
USING WADDING
Wadding is also known as ‘batting’ in
some countries – see page 14 for our
guide to the different types you can
choose from. To use wadding, first shake
it out and lay it flat for a day or longer to
remove any creases. Some waddings can
be pressed with a cool iron, but take care
to do a test first. Never iron polyester
wadding or it will melt. Cut the wadding
so it’s a little smaller than your backing
fabric but larger than your quilt top.
STARTING A QUILT SANDWICH
A quilt sandwich is made up of three
layers – the patchworked quilt top, the
wadding material and the backing fabric.
The wadding and backing should be
Beginner’s Guide to Quilting 57several inches larger than the quilt top
all around the sides. You first need to fix
the layers together, ready for stitching.
This is called ‘basting’ the quilt.
Everyone has their own favourite way of
doing this, but we’ve listed a few of the
main options below. You might find it
helps to spread out on the floor and use
masking tape to stick down each layer to
get their position right before you start to
pin and baste them together.Tacking: With this method you secure
the layers together by stitching them
with rows of large, loose stitches, which
you’ll cut away later once the quilt is
finished. The advantage of tacking your
layers together is that you can place the
lines of tacking close together to secure
the layers really well. However, tacking
can be time consuming.Safety pins: With this method, small
safety pins are used to fix the layers
together. Special quilter’s safety pins are
available, which are curved, enabling you
to insert them more easily. Some quilters
often prefer this method it as it’s quicker,
but you may have to move the pins out of
the way as you work the quilting. To pin
your quilt, lay out the three layers, then
insert the safety pins in a methodical
order – either in a grid pattern or
positioning them in the centre of each
block or unit works well.^5Spray glue: There are also spray
adhesives especially for quilt making.
They do offer a quick way fix your layers
together, but if you need to press your
quilt during the process, the heat of the
iron can cause the glue to pucker your
fabric. It’s important to read the©Love Patchwork & Quilting, issue 1,bit.ly//1gmNQGn.Sew the two pieces
together make one
new 84x63in piece.The backing
will now fit
the quilt, with
2in excess on
each side.The backing
will now fit
the quilt, with
2in excess on
Join each side.3
4
BLOCK PARTY QUILT
BY ALLISON HARRIS