Quilting Tips

by Patty Lee

Washing Quilts - Do not let a quilt become too soiled. When it is dirty, wash it in a mild soap or detergent. Never wring a quilt by hand or spin-dry. Instead, arrange the wet quilt on a clothesline, matching corners, and let drip-dry. Never iron. After washing, repair any broken stitches.

Reversible Quilts - Turn in the evenly trimmed raw edges of the finished quilt top and backing. Pin-baste, then steampress to hold in place. Machine or handsew 1/4" from the outside edges around all four sides. Repeat procedure 1/4" from first stitching line one or two more times.

Quilt Basting - Baste all layers together across, up, down and diagonally to prevent any section from slipping out of place. A MOST IMPORTANT STEP!

Quilting on a Frame - This is a bit awkward for beginners, but it is really the only way to work a large piece. Your left hand is held under the work ready to guide the needle back up to the top where it is caught by your right hand and guided back down again. Don't worry if your efforts are not perfect at first, you will get better with practice.

Quilt Stitches - Always try to make your quilting stitches as even, taut and small as possible (8 - 12 stitches per inch). The smaller the stitch, the more durable the quilting. To fasten a thread end, take several back stitches through all thicknesses, run thread into batting, bring it back up to the top for one more backstitch, then clip thread close to surface. The excess will work itself back into the batting.

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