Quilt Backing Preparation

Your Quilt Backing must be 12″ wider (6″ on each side) and 12″ longer (6″ on each side) than your Quilt Top.  For example if your Quilt Top is 80″ long, you will need a backing that is 92″ long.  For a Quilt Top 80″ wide, you would need a 92″ wide Backing.  This is to allow for enough room to attach to the top and bottom leaders as well as room for the clamps that attach to the sides of the quilt.  

I have a 12′ quilting frame so the largest Quilt Top width I can accept is 120″ and the largest backing width I can load is132″. 

If your Quilt Backing has a direction (up/down) please put a safety pin at the Top edge.

Please iron your Quilt Backing, I will lightly iron it to remove any wrinkles from shipping before I load it.  

I highly recommend using 108″ wide fabric for your backing in order to avoid having a seam as well as to have the best tension on your backing for the quilting process.  If you must piece your fabric please do so with horizontal seams instead of vertical seams.  Vertical seams have tension issues because the clamps will only “pull” on the piece they are attached to.  If you have a middle piece of fabric there is no tension on it and it will quilt differently and could potentially have a pucker in it. 

If you’re looking for 108″ wide backings, please check out our Quilt Shop for a variety of fabrics.  If you see something you like, let me know and I can add it to your Quilting Service Final Invoice. This also saves you money on shipping weight.

I am fortunate to have a 5’x10′ cutting table that my wonderful husband and son built me.  If you would like, I can piece your backing for you, there is a $15.00/seam charge for this.  This is an additional service added to your final invoice.  Just let me know after you submit your order that you would like this.

Please square your Quilt Backing and ensure you have straight top/bottom/side edges.  If your Backing is not accurately squared than I cannot guarantee that your quilt will not be twisted or distorted.  If you have questions on how to square your backing, please google “how to square a quilt backing”, there are many, many examples of this as well as really good youtube videos.  Handi-Quilter has a great youtube that can be found here.

If I have an issue loading your backing, I will contact you to discuss options.

I do NOT trim the quilt when I am finished.  The extra batting on the top and sides will be attached, however I do trim off the batting at the bottom leaving you about 2″ of batting beyond the bottom edge in order for you to use in your binding.  

If you have ANY questions please feel free to contact me, I am always happy to help!