Lining Up Layers When Quilting?

Linda, for the best results, your backing and batting should be cut 3 - 4 inches larger than your quilt top all the way around. I use safety pins to secure everything together when hand quilting - pin every 4" or so - then start my stitching. When you are done, then you can trim your backing and batting to match your quilt top. Your stitching is going to change your layers - if you try to match everything up , then stitch, you are going to be disappointed in your results. P.S. I have been quilting for about 30 years and have won many local and regional awards for my work.

When I first started quilting I had the same problem and used some quilting spray that temporarily tacks one layer to the other. Then use safety pins to go through the 3 layers.

You need to baste the layers together so that it will turn out correctly. Google "quilt basting" for a better idea of how this is done. This is a critical step for you to do when you are at this point of the quilting process!

Hi Linda:
I too baste with safety pins and yes your batting and the backing should be at least three inches wider(all around). What I do is drape my backing over a table. First I find the center along the top and the bottom and line it up to the center of the table. Then I use large paper clamp to hold it to the table so it does not shift while I am pinning and also reduces the the chance of getting puckers in the backing. Then I find the find the center along the top and the bottom of the batting and line it up to the center of the table. I don't clamp this down to the table.

Hope this helps and happy quilting

Beth
Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 407 Feedbacks

October 26, 20070 found this helpful

I find a the largest hard floor I can (no carpeting), clear it and be sure it is clean. I lay out the backing and use masking tape to secure it flat, then lay the batting as flat as possible, then finish your quilt sandwich with the top.