Basting and BattingBASTING AND BATTING Standard pre-cut batting sizes are: • Crib ............... 45" x 60" • Twin .............. 72" x 90" • Double ........... 81" x 96" • Queen ............ 90" x 108" • King .............. 120" x 120" Consider several factors when choosing batting. How do you want the quilt to look? How close will the quilting stitches be? Are you hand or machine quilting? How will the quilt be used? Batting is made from different fibers (not all fibers are available in all sizes). If you prefer an old-fashioned looking quilt, consider using a mostly cotton batting. The newer cotton battings are bonded and do not require the close quilting that old-fashioned cotton battings once did. If you don't want to do a lot of quilting, use a regular or low-loft polyester batting. If you like "puffy" quilts, use a high-loft polyester batting. Wool battings are also available. If you are not sure which batting is right for your project, consult the professionals at your local quilt shop. Step 1 Basting and Batting: Spread and smooth out your backing fabric on a carpeted floor. The backing should be about 4-5 inches wider and longer than the quilt top. If there is a right side of the backing fabric, it needs to face the floor. You can iron it too, but it's not necessary unless your fabric is very wrinkly. Use wide tape to tape it down. You don't want the backing fabric to be stretched tight, just flat and smooth. Step 2 Basting and Batting: Spread your batting out on top of your backing fabric. Step 3 Basting and Batting: Spread the quilt top on top of the batting. Iron it first if it's really wrinkled. Smooth it out nice and flat. Step 4: Start in the middle of the quilt and pin all 3 layers together. I put pins about every 4-5 inches. Make sure you don't pin the quilt to the carpet. Step 5: Cut off the excess batting and backing, making sure to leave a couple inches beyond the edge of the quilt top.
BASTING AND BATTING The process of placing the three separate layers of a quilt-the top, the batting and the backing--together in preparation for the quilting stitch is called stretching the quilt. Basting (or holding) the layers together with safety pins is one preferred method of many quilters. If a quilt is stretched and basted properly, the finished quilt will lie flat and not have puckers, bumps, waves or folds on the front or back because the individual layers were pinned together correctly. Basting holds the three layers together to prevent shifting while quilting. For hand quilting, baste using a long needle threaded with as long a length of sewing thread as can be used without tangling. Insert needle through all layers in center of quilt and baste layers together with a long running stitch. For the first line of basting, stitch up and down the vertical center of the quilt. Next, baste across the horizontal center of the quilt. Working toward the edges and creating a grid, continue basting to completely stabilize the layers.
For machine quilting, pin-baste using nickel-plated safety pins, instead of needle and thread. Begin in the center of the quilt and work outward to the edges, placing safety pins approximately every 4".
Click here to make a lap quilt.
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