I learned the hard way to leave quite a bit extra material on the edges. After I quilted I had a corner that wasn't covered. I decided it would be good place for a label. The quilt was for my GS so I put a note on muslin and placed it over the bare spot.Walla, covered!
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I cut my batting larger than the top but not as large as the backing so I don't have as much waste. The left-over backing goes into the scrap bin. Once I worked with a same-size top and back for a quillow and the back was off grain. It never went together right and looked like crap when quilted. So I'd rather have the backing oversized and allow for adjustments.
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It's because when quilting the body of your quilt will shrink up.
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Originally Posted by Boston1954
I usually go 3 or 4 inches more so that when I cut it down I have enough for strips for a Log Cabin or maybe some small squares. Actually it is the batting that I don't like cutting so big.
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I have the backing and batting afew inches bigger for squaring up after quilting. I love left-overs for scrappy quilts, and I use the left-over scraps of batting to stuff doggie and cat mats for the local no kill animal shelter.
pam |
I think that is a WONDERFUL idea to use the batting for doggie mats at the shelter! We have a no kill shelter here in Maine near where I live. I am going to start doing that!
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Those scraps are not waste, use them for scrappy quilts, I've made several Mile a Minute quilts with the long strips of scraps, that I have either given to family members or charities. They come out great. If you google Mile A Minute quilts you'll find some pictures, there are endless ways to use the blocks. My favorite is to alternate a white on white fabric block with the scrappoy block.
Also I save all the batting scraps & fabric scraps that just can't be used in quilts & stuff them into a simple denim or heavier type fabric pillow cover, sew the opening closed & donate them to the animal shelter for pet beds, the shelter loves them. |
As well as all the other reasons mentioned, if you send it to a long arm quilter they need it for the clamps so it out of the way of the machine head and can go to the edge of your quilt. I round off/up and cut my backings total of 10inchs larger then the top. But I Love scrappy quilts:)
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Many quilts shift slightly as they are being quilted, this will give it a little room.
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I always make batthing and backing larger - I'd hate to get to the edge and not have enough of one or the other. I keep the 'leftover' backing for binding on the quilt or save it for another quilt. Works out well. The batting leftovers - well, I still need to find something to do with them - sometimes use them for table runners - as I have a whole bolt of batting and just make it big enough to make table runners...
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