tropit

Thanks everyone! I didn't think of stay stitching the edge of the top, or including a card with the measurements. (The correction of the off points is something that I want to do. It's certainly not required by the LAQ.) The threads keep multiplying! There's some slight unraveling going on. I've been taking a big piece of packing tape wrapped around my hand and brushing the back. Some are just going to have to stay.

~ Cindy

JustAbitCrazy

If you are piecing the back, use half inch seams (without any selvedges) and press them open. Make sure any thick seamed intersections on the quilt top (like where 6 or 8 fabrics come together) are well pressed to minimize thickness, as the hopping foot may not be able to clear them. (Some quilters take a hammer to them, lol.) If they are too thick they stop the machine COLD.

franc36

I am so glad you asked this question. I send lots of quilts to the LAQ; but I take them to the LQS so I never see the LAQ. I was not sure if I was doing things right. I cut away the selvage and use 1/2" seams on the backing, make it at least 4" larger on all sides, starch and neatly press it. I cut away as many threads as possible on the back of the top. That usually takes hours and I detest that task. Then I starch and press it on both sides. The one thing I do not do is to stay stitch around the quilt. I will do that from now on. Thanks so very much for that information.

AngelinaMaria

When I have stay stitched around the outer edge of my quilt, it has stretched the fabric a bit. Is there something I should be doing differently?

tropit

Usually the edges will stretch a bit, even with just regular handling...especially if there are edges that were cut on the bias. I like to staystitch with a large stitch, so that I can slightly gather that edge to help ease any fullness, if necessary and then press with steam. It's a good idea to measure the sides and compare them to what they are supposed to be in a pattern description, (or hypothetically if you're not using a pattern.) It also helps to do this before you attach a border too.

~ Cindy