Originally Posted by
Maureen NJ
I have a question. I hand baste using Sharon Schamber's method. When I piece the back pieces together, whether it is 2 or 3 pieces, it never seems to lie flat when I press it.
It isn't squared.
Also, when you lay the front to the back, I always seem to have problems lining it up so the seam will be the same amount in from the edges and look ok when I put on the binding. Any suggestions? Thanks for your input.
When I've quilted my own, I find center on all four sides and tie on a long heavy piece of DMC crochet thread (you can use anything of course, string, yarn etc) I do this for both sides.
I lay out the reverse, taping so it is taut but never stretched.
I lay out the batt, smoothing etc and pull out those threads so they are clearly visible and coming straight out from the edge.
I fold the top in half, and align the top and bottom strings from both sides, then fold out the top and align the center sides. It doesn't take any extra time.
For the ones I send out I tell the quilters to do the best they can. And be satisifed with the results. I always chose the reverse side from a smaller flimsy and add a wide border so there is plenty of float. I don't expect them to be perfectly aligned. Life is hard and then we die
there are a lot more things to worry about, particularly since I've had cancer twice in the last three years.