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Getting a quilt quilted----help

Getting a quilt quilted----help

Old 03-20-2012, 05:24 PM
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Default Getting a quilt quilted----help

Hello ladies! I have a question or two for you. I have a friend who has some quilt tops that her husband's grandmother made. Just the tops, no batting, no backing. She would like to have that done but doesn't know enough about it. I'm not sure I understand the process either--I'm just learning to do the simplest things. How is this done? Would the batting be applied then get quilted and then be backed or would the whole thing be put together first then be quilted and are there places that do that? Any input would be appreciated! She is in Midlothian, TX
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Old 03-20-2012, 05:36 PM
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Yes ... a quilt is assembled as a "sandwich" of backing, batting and the quilt top.

And yes, again, there are people who will hand quilt them for you. Also, those who will machine quilt on their DSM or LA.
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Old 03-20-2012, 05:48 PM
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You need to buy batting that is approximately 2" longer on all 4 sides of the top and the same for the backing. You need to sew the backing to fit the quilt. I go to my local quilt shop and she sends mine off to a great gal to machine quilt them. I put the batting, backing and front all in the bag, not already sandwiched together. That's the quilter's job. At least where I have it done. It's very simple. This is a good community to ask questions. Everyone here is so helpful. So ask away. And welcome!!
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Old 03-20-2012, 09:08 PM
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The Dallas/Ft. Worth area is THE greatest place to be for beginning quilters, with a wealth of quilt stores, shows, long-arm quilters, research libraries, guilds, and so on. Find your closest quilt shops and visit them to ask for names of people that can help you locate quilters for finishing this quilt top. They will be able to give you specific instructions on what to do. What an adventure you have ahead of you!

Jan in VA, formerly of Dallas, Keller, Greenville, and Austin, LOL!
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Old 03-20-2012, 09:44 PM
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Thanks so much for your help everyone! Well, unfortunately, I can't really help her with this because I live in Brentwood, CA. (We grew up together but I moved away later in life.) Even if I lived there I don't know if I could help--ha! But, I can help get her going in the right direction. My mother lives in Texas and may be able to help her with the backing but if she doesn't need to have it put together first then.... so, let me get this straight, sew the backing to fit the quilt --so the edges are finished? assuming that the edges of the top are finished or need to also be finished but not sewn together, right? OR is a binding put on? and then the batting just needs to be cut to the right size? Or both the backing and the batting need to be cut to 2" larger all the way around. I'm confused. I am really a step or two below an amateur.
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Old 03-20-2012, 09:52 PM
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The edges of the top and backing do not need to be "finished". That is what the binding is for. Check the tutorials on this Board to find one about creating the binding, and send that along to the quilter. The quilter will sew it to the front of the quilt when she is finished quilting it. It is generally the owner's responsibility to "slip-stitch" the binder to the back.

Both the backing and the batting are at least 2" larger than the top, to allow for easing in. However, if you have any questions about that, line up a quilter first, and then ask her/him what she/he prefers as far as how much hang over they prefer for the backing and batting.

If you have more questions, please feel free to ask. We're here to help! And please do post a photo when you're done! We'd love to see this quilt finished!
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Old 03-20-2012, 10:09 PM
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Sorry your confused, a completed quilt top to make it a quilt. You need a backing and batting and binding. If you send it to someone else you need to measure the quilt top width and height, for this to be the most accurate you measure through the middle of the quilt top in both directions. Once you get that measurement for example 60x80 you can figure out how much batting and backing and binding you need. I would recommend her looking for extra wide backing or muslin because she's a novice and because the age of the quilt it would be easier. A yard is 36 inches so to have enough length for 80 inches plus 6" (3" extra top and bottom) You would need 2 1/2 yards which is 90" if you get extra wide if not you need 5 yards of 44" wide fabric it's smart to get a couple extra inches depending on where you get it for cutting errors. You will need the same amount of batting (batting by the package will give you one piece). From there where you have to "sandwich" depends on whose quilting it. Sandwich= quilt top, batting, backing. After it's quilted the binding is put on either made from fabric, bought, or the backing fabric folded to the front. Most times when you get a quilt quilted you can pay a small fee and they will do the binding. Tell your friend this is not a cheap venture and your talking to quilt lovers so we all would say don't go the cheapest route because what she has are heirlooms...Hope that helps and good luck and happy quilting
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Old 03-20-2012, 11:36 PM
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I'd find a shop and take the quilts in for them to look at first. There may be issues with the top, like wonkiness, not square, seams coming apart, whatever. The shop can also connect you to a finisher for quilting. The finisher (or the LQS) can help with the batting, backing and binding. My local LA quilter has giant rolls of batting, so she does not need pre packed batting. She also prefers 4" extra backing on all four side for mounting on the LA. So, suggest to your friend that she find an LQS and see how they can help her.

I'd absolutely LOVE to have handwork done by my Gmother...Good Luck!
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Old 03-21-2012, 01:48 AM
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I agree w/ much of what has been said, but I do prefer a bit more on the sides - about 5 or 6 inches so that i can keep the top anchored in the frame (I hand quilt). If someone else will finish this for her - let them guide you on the batting. Personally, I like 100% cotton batting and would rather not quilt w/ the polyester battings. I do not like the way they come out - esp for something like you have, it deserves to have the best that you can afford.

I feel the same way about the thread that I use...Hmmmm...I guess i'm a thread and cotton batting snob!!
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Old 03-21-2012, 05:56 AM
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If she has a local quilt shop, that would be my first place to have the tops looked at. Are they antiques, hand pieced and maybe should be hand quilted? (They may be able to recommend someone to do that) Check to make sure the tops are all securely stitched, if not fix any problem areas. If she wants to learn to quilt them herself, they can recommend a class to take? They may also recommend someone to machine quilt them for her. A long armer would charge anywhere from $100 and up to do a double size quilt. The cost....If she quilts them herself, she will need a quilt batt...$20-30 for each quilt. She will need backing for the quilt, depending on the size (double) about 4 yards of fabric with a center seam about $60. I won't mention making the sandwich to quilt them herself because there are too many preferences and methods to list. If she has a quilt guild in her area they may be able to give some advice too.
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