Watson

Why do you have to have so much extra quilt backing and batting around the quilt top when you put the sandwich together?

I've read 4-6" all the way around...I'm just wondering why?

Watson

osewme

I've wondered the same thing. I don't leave that much anymore. It just seems like a waste of fabric & batting so lately I've been leaving about 2".

BluegrassGurl

The main reason that I can think of is:

As you quilt, the batting and backing "draw up". The more dense the quilting, the more "draw" you will see. It is always best to have a good measure of extra backing and batting to assure you will have ample coverage when done.

KLO

I thought the 4-6 inches was only when mounting the quilt on a long arm for quilting. Less amount if you are hand quilting or quilting on your dsm, right?

indycat32

I think that's the standard when doing long arm quilting. The extra is needed to attach the back and batting to the frame. When I quilt on my regular machine I leave about 2 inches extra and even less in a pinch. Also, beautiful horse.

QuiltingVagabond

Yes, I am to the the point where I have finished just enough quilts to realize that 4-6 inches is more than needed. I quilt on a sitdown Sweet 16. Next quilt will be closer to 2-3 inches.

Tiggersmom

This is correct. There are probably videos on YouTube that show the correct way.

ManiacQuilter2

That is for the LAQ to get the quilt centered on their frame. When I am pin basting my quilts for sewing on my Bernina, I usually only need about 2" around all four sides. I have a customer who gave me a queen size quilt and her backing was exactly the same size. Took me twice the time to get that quilt exactly center when pin basting it on a table.

maryb119

As a long arm quilter, I prefer an extra 4 inches all around to allow room to pin the backing to the roller on my long arm frame. You have to have extra room for that. Also the top will draw in as it is quilted. Measure a top before and after it is quilted and you will notice the quilted version is smaller. When I hand quilt, I still like extra around the outside edge so I can place my quilt sandwich in the frame and have something to catch in the edge of the hoop so that I can stitch clear to the edge of the quilt top and hide the end of the stitching line in the binding. If the top and the backing are the same size you can not stitch to the edge.

Nammie to 7

That is what is recommended by my long armer -- Not that much waste -- I use the leftover pieces for appliqueing or in scrap quilts.