Hey everyone. Asking for some advice. I am working on my first quilt. I have made many mistakes, but the biggest is sewing my quilt up (birthing method) first before quilting. I was going to tie it, but did not like the looks, so decided to breakdown and spend $45.00 on a walking foot. It works great. But after making all of my verticle SIDs, realized my backing was lose and puckering. I started in the middle and worked my way out and yes I had used safety pins. When I got to the edge of the quilt, my lining stuck out lower than the top. (daughter borrowed my camera or I would include pics.) I thought about adding a border or binding to even edges out. I am feeling guilty, but not wanting to rip it all apart. What should I do? It is kingsize, and 14x14 tee shirt squares.

If I understand what you are saying, you left the outside edges sewn together and the top is now larger than the bottom. The only way I would fix it, would be to unsew the edges and put on a border underneath and then use a binding all around.

I'm not much help. If you want it right......you get to take the stitches out. If you can make a save....do that.

Yes. Actually the bottom is longer than the top. Should I wait to finish quilting the blocks horizonal until I take apart the sides, and hopefully smooth out some of the looseness?

birthing method?
Sounds like the hard way.

Yes, I am dumb.... and I am learning the hard way.

That is actually good if the bottom is larger than the top, because the top can "grow" as you quilt it. I agree that you will want to take out the stitching all around and bind it, sorry, good practice taking out (unsewing).

Aww...don't be so hard on yourself. Every mistake made is simply an opportunity to learn something new. It will work out in the end, it always does somehow. Would love to see a pic of your very first quilt when you get the chance to take a pic.

Keep going......!

WHen I first started quilting , I thought the "birthing method " was the easy way to go..... Well I finally figured out it can be unforgiving.. in just the manner you are experiencing.
Not sure how far out the backing fabric is showing, a picture sure would help.

Did you pin it after birthing?