Layering the "Sandwich"

by **Admin** Fri Jun 05, 2009 7:19 am

Here are a few ideas to make sandwiching the quilt layers easier and better.

Use the squares of a linoleum floor to keep your backing straighter.
Tape a small button to the center of your work surface so that you can line the center points of all three layers up by "feel".
Lay and secure your backing so that it is taunt, but do not stretch it. When you release it from the clamps it will relax and create puckers in the other layers.
Make sure the straight lines such as borders are straight rather than using the outside edges of the quilt to determine the straightness.
If you are laying the quilt out on a hard surface like a floor, using the blue "painters" tape will secure the backing to the floor, but allow for easy removal.
Make sure to add at least 4" (more if sending it to a Long Arm) more backing fabric all the way around than the size of the front fabric. This will allow some creep as you quilt. It will also give you a space to "practice" on to warm up prior to quilting on the "real" thing.