FAQ's - Friday's Frequently Asked Questions - Seams in Backing Fabric, Piecing a Back, and What's Trimming?

Last week you said, "I trim your quilt, so it is ready to bind." --- What does that mean?   I trim (rotary cut)  the backing fabric, the batting, and the quilt top, so it is even all the way around.  About 99% of my customers want it trimmed.  If you don't, let me know.  Trimming makes it nice and straight and all ready to add the binding.  I also rotary cut the long strips of your leftover backing fabric and fold it up for you.  

If I piece my backing fabric with a center seam, how should I sew it?  stitch length?  straight stitch? zig zag ? or serge it? 
I prefer a small tight stitch (stitch length 12 or 1.8) straight stitch.  If you serge the back seam, you should change the stitch length to a smaller stitch.  Or serge it and then straight stitch it again with your regular machine.  Please don't  zig zag the seam, as it doesn't hold tight and the stitches will show.  Your stitches need to be tight, because I pin your backing fabric to the rollers and pull it tight.  You want your seam to hold and not have the stitches of your seam showing after it's quilted.  If your seam looks too loose like the photo, I will restitch it for you and bill you for doing it.  I want your quilt to look it's very best when it is quilted, as I know you do too!

 















See how the clamps hold the extra backing fabric tight in this photo.










Can I piece the whole back of the quilt and have a reversible quilt? Yes, as long as you stitch the seams with a smaller tighter stitch.  You still need to make it 12 inches longer and 12 inches wider.  Keep in mind that the 6 inches all the way around won't be on the back of the quilt.  I just need the extra fabric to pin and clamp, so I can quilt it.  Your pieced backing fabric needs to be straight and even - a perfect square or a perfect rectangle.  The backing fabric is pinned and pulled, so it may not end up being perfectly straight or centered.  I would suggest an overall quilting, so it looks great on both sides of the quilt.  Let's make your quilt look it's very best on both sides!


How much would it cost to have the whimsical fish and bubbles quilted just like the photos from Wordless Wednesday May 18th ?  2 3/4 cents a square inch.

 

 














Please keep emailing questions to Marcia@craftysewing.com  or  just leave a comment on this post.  I love comments!

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Last week Friday's FAQs How much does it cost to get a quilt quilted?

Still time to enter the drawing for the Double Double Quilting Giveaway 
2 prizes - 2 Winners  Ends at 6pm CST June 15, 2011

Enjoy your weekend!


Marcia