BACKING
- The fabric must be a minimum of 12" wider and longer than your quilt top. If your top is 70" x 90" then the backing fabric must be at least 82" x 102". This is necessary so that the backing fabric can be attached to the quilt frame.
- If you must piece the backing use a 1/2" seam allowance not including the selvedges. Remove selvedges from the seams and press open.
- Press well.
- Sheets are not recommended as backing fabric.
- Keep in mind that plain backing will show the quilting much more that a patterned fabric and can be quite affective with some over-all patterns such as "wandering Feathers". A patterned fabric may be a better choice with custom of heirloom quilting that requires many thread changes or starts and stops.
TOP
- Check all seams of the top and ensure that all are secure and not pulling apart.
- Trim all threads on both sides of the top. Threads left on the back may show through once quilting is done. If your top is made of high contrast colours it is good idea to 'grade' the seam allowances while piecing the top to help any stray dark threads from showing.
- Press well.
Remember, quilting can not correct missed points, wavy borders or stretched blocks!