If the quilt layers are properly prepared before loading the quilt, you will find that quilting is a pleasant task producing beautiful results.
If the quilt layers are properly prepared before loading the quilt, you will find that quilting is a pleasant task producing beautiful results. A little patience and planning before jumping into the quilting will prevent mistakes further down the line.
Pieced Tops
If you quilt for hire you will be asked to quilt a wide variety of tops: everything from wonderfully pieced, flat quilt tops pressed to perfection to poorly pieced scraps of inferior grade fabrics.
If a quilt top is out of square, quilting will not correct the problems. Fixing the issues without creating a tuck/pleat will depend on your skill and available time. There are some ways to deal with quilt tops that are not square, but special techniques and measures would need to be done. However, it is good to remember that improper loading or poor quilting techniques can skew a well-pieced quilt top out of square.
Some ideas for identifying potential problems are as follows.
Does the quilt lie flat?
Often when we hold or fold a quilt top it appears to be relatively flat. However, when the quilt top is laid on top of the batting on the frame we can immediately see that the edges are wavy or there is fullness in the interior. Some fullness can be quilted out but trying to quilt an area with a large amount of fullness can often result in puckers and/or pleats in the quilt top. If possible, lay the quilt top flat on a large flat surface. Measure the width and length in several places to compare.
Are the seams pressed correctly?
Most quilt makers press their seams as they piece the top, however, sometimes there are problems with how the pressing was done. If the seams are pressed open it will be difficult, if not impossible, to stitch in the ditch because there is no ditch. If the seams are pressed to one side, often the ditch starts on one side but the pressing changes direction and the ditch ends up on the other side. How the seams were pressed will be a deciding factor in whether you will want to stitch in the ditch or not.
Are there wavy borders?
If the borders on the quilt were not attached properly it can result in wavy borders. Heavily pieced borders or borders with bias edges also can result in wavy borders. Small waves in solid borders can generally be “quilted out” by using a loose meander stitching in the area. Piano keys are also a good method as you can direct some of the excess fabric between each line of quilting. If the borders are significantly wavy there are a few options: remove the borders and piece them correctly, take a small tuck in an inconspicuous area, or as a more advanced measure, become skilled in correcting the issues with the use of basting, pins, and steam (this method is not advised for all quilts).
Backing Fabric
If piecing two runs of yardage together, make sure to use a large seam allowance and then trim the selvage edges along the seam. Backing seams should run parallel to the rollers. If the seams are perpendicular to the rollers, you can get a buildup of fabric at the seam line.
When using a wide back that was ripped, make sure there is extra fabric. Wide backings should be at least 10” larger than the quilt top overall.
In this example, the wide back appears at first glance to be larger than the quilt top. However, because it is not square, the top left and bottom right corners do not fit on the backing.
Batting
Your quilting machine is capable of stitching through a variety of batting materials and thicknesses. Always choose batting that is recommended for machine quilting. Battings made for hand quilting are generally thinner and are difficult to work with on the quilting machine.
Packaged battings will have areas that are stretched out a little from the folding and should be fluffed in the dryer before loading onto the quilt. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for proper care. Open the package, unfold the batting completely and toss it in the dryer along with a damp wash cloth for a little moisture. Tumble for 10 to 15 minutes. The batting will now lay flat on the machine. Batting that is stored on a roll generally does not need to be fluffed before use.
Determine Loading Direction
Before loading the quilt, determine the best loading direction. Most quilts are rectangular, so they are narrower than they are long. Loading the quilt sideways will require the least number of advances and it will offer the maximum quilting space. Loading this way is not always advisable when using directional prints and/or directional patterns.