Quilt Backing Dilemma

[Margo C.]

Debbie, Kathy is exactly right. Here are some links if you want to read what the chemical companies have to say:

http://www.prochemicalanddye.com/store/home.php?cat=323

http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/en...chemicals.html

http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/en...chemicals.html

[Margo C.]

When I blocked the large Lemoyne Star variation (in my profile), I put a clean sheet on the floor and another on top.
I also turned on an oscillating fan to speed the process. I have two cats that believe if it's on the floor, they must investigate at the very least. :lol: and they leave alot of fur everywhere :shock:

[Margo C.]

Thanks Kathy and Margo. I read the information you posted about Synthrapol and Retayne. I found a good explanation of both products and how to use them at the site Margo posted:

http://www.prochemicalanddye.com/store/home.php?cat=323

Thank you for your responses.

[Liberata T.]

The back of my At Jim's Request Christmas quilt is composed of 1056 3* blocks--something I will never do again . It would have required over 7 1/2 meters of fabric for the back and at 26 Swiss francs a meter (exchange rate is currently $1 is .98 SF!) this would have been one of the most expensive quilts I ever made :shock: . So I decided to raid my Christmas stash.
It took us 6 times to line up the blocks with the front (quilt posted in Gallery). The first time is when I too discovered that the back was too small. I had to trim the top as well as enlarge the backing due to fabric shortage. We determined in the end that because of the different techniques and quilt block sizes in the quilt top and quilt back, perfection was unachieveable. We did our best to line up the horizontal ditches and pin or baste the sandwich together more precisely than ever before. However as you quilt, the fabric will do what it will. In the end, no one notices. I don't intend to have it judged, do I don't know what the quilt police would say.
My advice to you is to do your best to minimize the visual distortion but let go of the desire for absolute perfection.

[Margo C.]

We did our best to line up the horizontal ditches and pin or baste the sandwich together more precisely than ever before. However as you quilt, the fabric will do what it will. In the end, no one notices. I don't intend to have it judged, do I don't know what the quilt police would say.
My advice to you is to do your best to minimize the visual distortion but let go of the desire for absolute perfection.

AMEN, Libbi! What you did is amazing! I know how hard it is to get everything lined up! Good job!!!

[Margo C.]

It can be done. You can even do it with the back and front the same size on a longarm. Yup, been there done that. I can't say I would recommend it, but it is possible.

Adding the borders will make it easier. Don't quilt right up to the edge of the outer blocks though. I aligned my layers and pined the corners of the blocks to align them perfectly then secured between those pins to tack the whole quilt before quilting. I would secure the layers more than usual as you don't have the room for shifting, but for the right quilt it is worth the effort.

I look forward to seeing this quilt.

Ferret

[Betty J.]

Libbi, I went to your profile and checked out your beautiful quilt. It's grand! I like your advice too. BJ

[Betty J.]

This is exactly what is holding up the quilting of my current quilt. I've made the front and back the same size as the blanket that I will be using as the wadding (batting) and now have to try and get the three layers all together and lined up. I've been playing with the idea that spray basting might be the solution, otherwise it is going to be a mega pinning and tacking job to get it under control. Still that should keep me out of mischief for some time to come :wink:

[Betty J.]

I wouldn't use spray baste on it's own I don't think it would hold tight enough to keep this perfect. Maybe spraybaste then pin or tack?

Ferret

[Betty J.]

I agree with Ferret. I have had spray basting disappear (evaporate?) in the middle of quilting. I'd do both and keep the pins or basting closer than usual.

[Terry K.]

I've been using 505 basting spray and haven't had it change. . .one quilt that I spray basted was that way for two years before I finally got it quilted. My quilt practice sandwich is on its third year and the sandwich is still stuck together nicely.

[Betty J.]

I think I didn't us 505...that might have been the problem.

[Liberata T.]

I tired spray basting this quilt with 505 (lots of it) and ended up using pins as well as the spray. It took two people to achieve the sandwich. Poor DH, he had to endure lots of shouted orders as if he was in the military! But spray basting appears to work well for my smaller wall quilts.

[Margo C.]

Check out Patsy Thompson's video in the TQS Classroom to see a great way to spray baste on your design wall!

learn/classrooms/

[Margo C.]

It was the Patsy Thompson lesson that made me think that spray basting would be the way to go, prior that I was planning on tacking, having updated (in my mind) from ordinary thread to the washable one.

Now all I need is a design wall :lol: and a round tuit :lol: :lol:

Rosemary