piecing the backing
 

wondering if you have to piece backing and putting it on a longarm frame which way does the seam go??????????

it should go side to side. putting it top to bottom causes the multiple layers to stack on one another and the quilt goes wonky

I like them to run horizontal: parallel with the bars (side to side). This way you don't get a lump in one spot as you roll the quilt.

Don't forget the Flynn/diagonal method of piecing the back! You can't always use it but give it a try if your measurements make it a good candidate.

I suggest you ask your long arm quilter if she has a preference. I have read on this Board many like the seam horizontal but a few prefer the seam to be veryical. I usually piece my backs with leftover blocks or other pieces of fabric to add interest and my long arm quilter has never complained or had a problem with multiple seams on the back.

I usually don't piece my backings. But, if I have a customer that does, I quilt it the way they have it prepared. Generally a quilt is longer than it is wider. So, I measure it before putting it on to make sure. That is, unless I'm told otherwise.

Does it matter which way you piece the back if you are quilting at home, on your DSM?

To be honest, I've done everything from a solid backing to one that was nearly as pieced as the front, with seams going in every direction. I stopped worrying about which way to load them and now I typically just load them so I have the least rows to quilt, (if I was doing custom quilting that wouldn't necessarily apply),however, I rarely make king sized quilts, so that might be why I dont have a problem.

I am a longarmer and to be honest, it doesn't matter to me which way you piece your back. I am more concerned with it being square so it loads correctly.

Also, piece the back with half inch or 5/8" seam allowances, and press them open. Make sure not to include any selvedges in there.

Same here!! My rack has a dead bar so it doesn't matter to me if the take up roller gets a high spot from a vertical seam building up. Like Nilla, I have pieced a back to the point of it being a reversible quilt. I have never had an issue but my LA is a workhorse and can go through some pretty bulky seam allowances without skipping a beat. I do know when I hit one from the sound, but I don't get skipped stitches, broken threads or extra long stitches due to the bulk. Other LA machines are VERY finicky and most rack systems don't have a dead bar so you are really best checking with your LAQ to see if she has a preference and or limitations.