Serging before quilting
#1
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1
Serging before quilting
I have recently gotten into sewing and quilting. I basted a quilt recently but I was being driven nuts by the extra backing and batting around the edges. I am machine quilting and wasn't done yet but I decided to serge around the edges so I wouldn't have to deal with as much fabric and fraying. It has made my quilting much easier but I am wondering if I was foolish to do so. Any hints, help or admonishments appreciated. I may make this a standard practice when machine quilting.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 421
Yes, I serge around my quilts before attaching the binding to help me keep the edges even and in check. I find it to make the task much easier. I save this for the last step, though, after I am done with the quilting. I don't know that I would feel comfy doing it before that task was completely done.
#3
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
The reason for extra batting/ backing is due to the fabrics ( drawing up) with the quilt process, much like when doing applique you make your blocks larger, stitch the appliques, then trim to the correct size. When quilting the process causes the fabrics to draw up, become slightly distorted. Having the extra makes it possible to trim/ square up after quilting, before binding. Also, you start quilting in the center, working your way out to the edges so any distortion is eased out along the edges. If your edges are already finished there is no where for any fullness to go, which could cause unsightly wrinkles, creases, pleats in your quilt.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Jozefow, Poland
Posts: 4,474
The reason for extra batting/ backing is due to the fabrics ( drawing up) with the quilt process, much like when doing applique you make your blocks larger, stitch the appliques, then trim to the correct size. When quilting the process causes the fabrics to draw up, become slightly distorted. Having the extra makes it possible to trim/ square up after quilting, before binding. Also, you start quilting in the center, working your way out to the edges so any distortion is eased out along the edges. If your edges are already finished there is no where for any fullness to go, which could cause unsightly wrinkles, creases, pleats in your quilt.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ontario,canada
Posts: 474
I stitch in the ditch on most of the major seams before I quilt so there is no chance for the fabric to move but it is good to have that extra fabric from the back to hold onto when you are quilting at the borders.
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Maryland
Posts: 2,620
Ravels on the edges of backing fabric pluck my nerves. so I've started serging the edges before putting backing on the frame. I also do a lot of scrap quilts and sometimes it works to serge the edges of the blocks and get a sturdy seam to anchor little strips before joining the blocks. A good friend gave me a serger that wasn't in good working order, she had been given the machine by another lady but my friend already had one. Once it was cleaned, oiled, threaded right, needles changed it's a fun toy and I'm trying to teach myself serger techniques. Fortunately the manual came it!
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