quiltmommie

how do i make a shore a quilt is square or make it square? I'm very new to quilting and have had to teach my self. with no help. i have been sewing for years but just started with the quilting. i would like to have my latest quilt quilted by long arm and want to make shore i have every thing right for the person quilting it so i do not cause extra work for them.
thanks

Prism99

I use a metal T-square I purchased from Menard's (any big box hardware store has them) to help square up my quilts. The longest side on mine is 3 feet, but if you shop in the lumber area you can get them even bigger.

Tartan

I clip all the stray threads on the quilt top back. I iron and starch my top. I lay it flat out on the floor to check for any ripples in the border. If a border has ripples, it should be fixed before it goes to the long armer because they can only quilt out so much extra fullness in a quilt edge. If everything lays nice and flat, I use my large 15 inch quilter's square in all the corners to make sure the top is square. I trim the top if necessary being careful there is still 1/4 inch seam allowance all around the quilt for the binding.

debquilts2

I do the same as Tartan does.

Jingle

Generally speaking, if borders are applied correctly there shouldn't be a need to square up.
A beginning quilting book would help you out a lot.

Neesie

I have a big carpenter's square (L-shape). It's steel and came from either Home Depot or Lowe's.

tessagin

You can go to Missouri Star Quilt Company. They have tutorials for beginners and how to square up. YouTube has a lot of tutorials for quilting. The time bar on the bottom of the video also allows you to back up so you can take notes.

quiltmommie

thanks every one for the info. i had forgotten about missouri star on youtube i will have to go back and check that out. and i will be getting that carpenter's square soon. thanks again