hannajo

The quilt back is a panel that I can't cut down (It's a world map). Since the pieced front was smaller, I added a border which I will trim down to size (after quilting I think). That border will end up being about 2 inches on each side, so I want that to be as uniform as possible. I'm having trouble lining them up/centering the top once I put the fleece in the middle. It's a small baby quilt, roughly 1 yd. x 2yd, probably even smaller. Also, I'm using fleece instead of batting. Do I need to cut the fleece down to the size of the back? Usually I leave that a bit bigger and trim after quilting.

I guess my trouble is that in the past, the back has always been a larger piece of fabric that I trimmed after quilting, just worrying about centering one side of the quilt. I don't know how to center both sides.

Any tips? Thanks in advance!

pocoellie

I would separately fold all 3 pieces in half, both ways, mark the halfway mark on all sides, then line each piece up separately with the corresponding marks, then do the same again.

ThreadHead

put a saftey pin on the OUTSIDE/RIGHT SIDE of each corner of the panel BACKING, and ONE in the CENTER of your backing. Add fleece, ( i've used fleece for the kids quilts for years, and they are stilll going strong) Find the center of your front piece and match it to the center safety pin. Feel and eyeball the corners and pin from the front side.

NJ Quilter

I agree with the others...find your center of each piece (front, back, fleece) by folding in half and half again. Mark each center with a safety pin (or even straight pins in an x) and then you will be able to feel the centers. Pin really, really well all around the center of your sandwiched quilt then start smoothing/basting as normal.

Tartan

Yes, either iron in some registration marks or use pins/chalk/erasable pen etc. Once you have the top/bottomm/left/right center points marked on all 3 layers, match up the marks. I think spray basting the layers together would be your best bet to keep them from moving once you get them centered. Check to see if the sandwich is centered by putting straight pins in several places in the front design and check to see where they come out on the back. If all looks good, remove the straight pins and quilt.

hannajo

Duh, I feel dumb! I was trying to line up the outside edges and driving myself crazy. I just need to start at the center. Thanks! I'll try to post a photo when I'm done.