molly oldham

How do you square a large quilt with limited space? I'm not physically able to crawl around on the floor. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

cjk

I would like to know too.

dgmoby

I use my king size bed to lay it out on, folded in half. Then I can mark with a ruler & marker first, where the 'off' area is. I will cut with scissors or put my mat under the edge and cut with rotary cutter.

I have also folded into 1/4's and used the same method. But you do have to make sure your folds are perfect and even, and then it will work fine.

I cannot get on the floor at all, so this is the way I do it. I also will lay it out over my longarm frame to check it to begin with - also allows me to quickly square up backings. This at a minimum, let's me know how far off I am, if at all. And it's quick and easy. I still have to move to the bed sometimes - or else I trim on the frame (I have a wooden top that allows this).

Just what I do...
Debbie in Austin

cjk

Great ideas... thanks!

molly oldham

Thanks! I'll try that.

np3

I put large banquet tables together. I worry about the bed being soft. We have them for family gatherings, but often times you can use them at a church.

carole7481

I use banquet tables at our church. My husband made some lifts out of wood to raise the tables so I didn't have to bend much. For small quilts I do them on the dining room table.

butterflywing

i don't like to cut the corners. it's too easy to snip off points or other design elements.

i used to fold in half on the bed. i checked with the largest square ruler i had, 12". wherever it was too full i pinned first and then took in tiny amounts on each seam until it almost laid flat. i didn't kill myself on this part. where it was too tight, i let out tiny amounts on every seam until it laid really flat. having a little bit too much is better than having a little too little. too much can be eased in, but too little can't and you'll wind up 'gathering' the border or binding.

now i have a big, high table so i don't have to use the bed, but the process is basically the same.