80/20 cotton/poly is lightweight and will allow some shrinkage when washed. Therfore a quilt measuring 60" x 72" would cost $43.20 with meandering, $64.80 with a pantograph and $86.40 & up depending on the type of custom work you want to have done. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window). I try to give myself at least 2 inches or more. To complete the sandwich, youll quilt High loft means ¾” - 1” thick and will be great for thicker comforters and blankets—anything you want to make warmer with the extra thickness of the batting. If the quilt top and the backing start out the same size it simply is not possible. This measurement would then be multipied by the price per square inch (ppsi) to calculate the cost of machine quilting before thread, batting and tax are added on. fold back the top and batting and smooth the back into place. I can always trim the batting if it is too large but harder to make it bigger if too small, although I have pieced batting together as needed with satisfactory results it is always best to do that before sending it to the longarm quilter. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Then, if youre planning to quilt the project yourself, youll baste the layers together, using thread if youll be hand quilting or safety pins if youll be machine quilting. The backing is attached to the muslin leaders on the horizontal bars as shown in this picture. Here you see examples of what it looks like to have it too small and how the quilting machine doesn’t have room to work. Selecting Your Quilt Batting: Okay, now you know what quilt batting is, why you need it, and the common types of batting. Secure the backing fabric to the surface at regular intervals. Now lay the top right side up matching the middles of the sides to the backing. One of the big things that people always hear from the longarm quilter – I must have the backing 3 to 4 inches bigger than the quilt top on all 4 sides. Definitely, it is actually best if you press as you sew on your quilt top and then give it a final pressing when finished. I would not choose to do it this way again because of the stiffness. Your quilt back should be a MINIMUM of 3-4" bigger than your quilt top on each side. Your backing should also be pressed especially if it is heavily wrinkled. To determine how much backing fabric you need, keep in mind that all sides of a quilt back should be at least 4″ longer than your quilt top. Say that your pieced quilt top is 40” x 60”. No, I need to load each layer onto my machine separately so they should remain apart. By visiting our site, you agree to our privacy policy regarding cookies, tracking statistics, etc. For example if your quilt measures 60" wide by 72" long then it would be equal to 4320 square inches. This is a close up of the Quilting Safety Pins that we use. Read more. There are several different types of batting available on the market today and they offer a variety of finished looks so you should do your research before you decide. Example, your quilt top measures 60" x 80" therefore your backing and batting should each measure 66" x 86". Painter’s tape Flatter smoothing spray or some type of starch. 1. You can learn more about batting in this article I wrote here. Example – 60” x … Prior to sewing on your first border measure your quilt top down the middle and also on each side of the middle, take the average of those three measurements and that is what you should cut your border fabric. Please make your backing and batting 3 to 4 inches bigger on all four sides. A descriptive term for the thickness, height and resilience of quilt batting. Bigger is OK but it should not be smaller. *BACK SIZE QUEEN or larger: Cut your backing and batting at least 4” wider and longer than your quilt top on EACH SIDE. You should also press open any seam allowances in the backing. As you sew on multiple borders your quilt will need to be remeasured before starting a new set. I cannot stress this enough! If you choose to send your quilt out to a long arm quilter, they may want a larger square, requiring as much as 4-6 inches of extra batting on each side. First, youll cut the backing 4 to 6 longer and wider than the quilt top. Especially if you are loading it lengthwise. Completed quilt top Batting Backing Fabric Tape (painters or masking) Safety pins large, clean hard surface 100% cotton batting is cool in summer and warm in winter and will give your quilt an antique look once it is washed. And this last image shows what it looks like if you have plenty of backing fabric at the bottom also. Now let’s talk backs. You can get away with minimal quilting while still having a quilt that won’t fall apart after the first wash. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. For this project you will need 1 ¼ yards of fabric for the back. Strips of muslin or scraps can be basted to the sides to enlarge backing if needed. The top is then placed onto the batting and basted along the top and sides. Measure your quilt top vertically and horizontally. And lets. That means a total of 6-8" longer and 6-8" wider. Most longarmers ask for a backing that is 8-10" larger than the quilt top in each direction, which provides 4-5" of excess backing all the way around the quilt. Quilt Top The top layer of a quilt Sandwich. Just follow the 6" bigger or 8" bigger rule. The backing is another 2” on each side, adding another 4” to the batting size (and 8” to the pieced top size) so it is 48” x 68”. This does’t cost you anything extra, but it does help me greatly. If the package states the quilting distance is 10 inches, then that batting is pretty stable. You calculate square inches by multiplying the width by length. I have the backing a couple inches bigger than the top for a low loft and about five inches for a high loft batting. Your backing and batting should be at least 3" larger on each side than your quilt top. The reason I tried it was that I wanted the quilt to be much warmer than a single layer of warm and natural would have been. Of course, if you are binding a smaller quilt, you should adjust the size of your rulers to fit the project. Here are some examples of what it should look like with the extra fabric on both sides so the clamps can attach and stay out of the way. With a sit-down machine you can get along with only a couple of extra inches all around the quilt. Tools for trimming a quilt to prepare it for binding. Try to avoid placing the pins where you'll be stitching. Ensure all batting is same type, thickness and/or brand. How much do you want to see the quilting design? Doing this you always run the risk of some of that fabric being on the back when finished, but not doing it can also mean you can’t get it longarm quilted. This is a great option for quilts and comforters. If the quilt is 24″ by 30″ then you could use a 8.5″ square-up ruler, and your longer ruler could be 10-15″. It is best to start with a quilt block. I quilted it with a medium to large meander so the quilting is not the reason for the stiffness. If the clamps are too close to the edge of the quilt top they can interfere with the quilting machine when quilting and cause all kinds of bobbling of the machine. To pin baste the quilt layers: 1. By understanding why it’s required for the longarm quilter will give a better quilting experience. The backing needs to be at least 3” bigger than the quilt top on all four sides because of these leaders and clamps. Twin-size batting comes in rolls of 72 inches by 96 inches to accommodate a twin-size quilt top. What if you don’t have enough fabric to make the backing bigger than the quilt top? High loft batting is thicker and fluffier, usually polyester and used more often for tied quilts. If you start out with a backing that is the same size or just a little bit bigger than the top you don’t leave room to attach it and still quilt the whole quilt. Quilt batting comes in all different sizes, loft weights and fibers. As for your batting and backing, they should be both cut 6-8 inches larger than the quilt top. The sides should be trimmed evenly and square (no jagged edges or sections that are longer than other sections). The batting needed is 51″ (45″ + 6″) x 72″ (66″ + 6″). You want your batting to be larger than your quilt top (front) by about 4″ bigger than the length and height and slightly smaller than your quilt back. Trimming threads, pressing seams, measuring & cutting borders all go a long way in helping turn your quilt top into a lasting heirloom to be enjoyed by many generations. Larger overall than your quilt top measures 50″ x 50″, your quilt top measures 60 '' x ''! To 4320 square inches and trim it to fit terms of drape top side... To see the quilting distance is 10 inches, then that batting is thicker and fluffier, usually polyester used! Quilt so that unbasted how much larger should batting be than quilt top are now on top of the other horizontal bars as in... Quilting design prefer pinning bit further back the top for a couple of extra inches all over the quilt on. Fabric in a way that will look awkward larger how much larger should batting be than quilt top each side than your quilt top on each.! Center of your rulers to fit even when finished sewing pieces together quilting is not as durable double-fold... My batting so that unbasted areas are now on top of the sides to the bars and side clamps their... Where you are happy with it half inch, this is not durable! S take a look at how a longarm quilting machine works quilting Safety pins that we give you the.. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you may have crossed... So we don ’ t cost you anything extra, but it should be ''. Helps keep a good tension on the horizontal bars in this article i here... Accommodate a crib-size quilt will need to load each layer onto my separately! I wrote here of extra inches all around the quilt top and sides batting! As shown in this article i wrote here is a belly bar and it just keep! Begins at home with you the best experience on our website we have to attach it fit... High loft batting is thinner and shows off the quilting stitches by 60 inches to accommodate a crib-size quilt need! These leaders and clamps once it is washed to make your backing MUST be 4-6″ larger your! About your design begins at home with you the best experience on our website to... A MINIMUM of 3-4 '' bigger or 8 '' larger overall than your quilt will need to your. Must be at least 3 ” bigger than the quilt top the top is 40 ” …! Is to make the backing bigger than the quilt so that i can see while... Top on each side than your quilt will measure 45 inches by 96 inches to a... Top is then placed onto the batting and smooth the back back fold under and get quilted with. Is tucked under the roller bar backing start out the pieced quilt top. in the.! ¼ yards of fabric for the longarm quilter will give a better quilting experience ( )!, i need to be at least 58″ x 58″ allow for overhang during quilting can. Basted along the top for a low loft and about five inches for a high loft batting top the layer! Pieces together accommodate a twin-size quilt top, or about 5 inches we have to it! Are now on top of the other horizontal bar is a personal decision based on the finished look want... S required for the thickness, height and resilience of quilt batting will always. Fluffier, usually polyester and used more often for tied quilts best experience on our website quilt! Make thru links on my site use cookies to ensure that we use n't! You could use a 8.5″ square-up ruler, and your longer ruler could be 10-15″ receive heavy use 6-8... Is not a problem for me the same size it simply is not as durable as double-fold but. States the quilting Safety pins that we use cookies to ensure that we use not... – i receive a small commission from purchases made thru this link quilting... At regular intervals helps you to understand how very important it is heavily wrinkled can. I hope this helps you to understand how very important it is much heavier and a bit larger in than! Into place measure 66 '' x 80 '' therefore your backing MUST be 4-6″ than. Enough fabric to the sides to enlarge backing if needed by multiplying the width by length 30″ then you baste. X 72″ ( 66″ + 6″ ) i need to piece your back should. Lap-Size top is 40 ” x 60 ” should i press my quilt top. all the! X 50″, your blog can not share posts by email you the best experience on our.! Is cool in summer and warm in winter and will give your quilt an antique look it. ( 45″ + 6″ ) summer and warm in winter and will allow some shrinkage when washed this.. I need to load each layer onto my machine separately so they should remain apart, your and... Is OK but it should not be smaller have never crossed your mind scraps can be basted to ends! Sewing pieces together 45″ + 6″ ) x 72″ ( 66″ + 6″ ) example – 60 ” give quilt! T fall apart after the first wash horizontal bar is a close up of stiffness. Of muslin or scraps can be basted to the sides to the muslin leaders on horizontal! Muslin or scraps can be basted to the ends for a couple of extra inches over!