Hi, I was trying to make a simple baby blanket the other day that has a pieced top made of charm squares. I didn't want any border or binding, so I just used a backing fabric and batting, sewed the 3 layers together, turned it and was planning on topstitching around. Even though I pinned and used a walking foot, the layers didn't sew up evenly, now one side is a little longer, and the whole thing is a little out of shape. Is there any trick to getting all the sides sewn evenly?

Thanks!

i have the same problem

That's one reason why I prefer to bind the usual way.

You did everything I was going to suggest.

And here I thought this would be such a time saver! But I have seen blankets made that way that looked nice, so I'm hoping someone will still share their secret with us!

Did you use a walking foot. I had that problem and a friend said use the walking foot. It worked for me. Good luck.

Yes the walking foot does solve the problem. Learned this the hard way to.

Yes, I pinned and used the walking foot.

You almost have to use the walking foot in putting the 3 layers together as 1 layer will most likely feed thru at a different rate. (Clear as mud!) Than turning it right side out to top stitch or do any decorative stitching you need to keep that walking foot on. Also when doing this method, pin, pin and more pins!

Were all three layers the same size and squared up after you layered and before you stitched before turning?

Umm, not exactly sure how you are supposed to do that. I layered them so the top was on top, the other two layers were bigger than the top, and as I was sewing I just used the edge of the top layer as a reference. I guess I did not square them up then. I thought leaving the batting and backing bigger than the top would be the way to go. But maybe not?

I believe that would be your problem. All three layers must be the same when they are laying out flat.

Okay, sounds like I have to redo the whole thing (kind of knew that already). Thanks for all your help!

Maybe I misunderstood. I thought you were doing the envelope method (sometimes called pillowcase method) of finishing where you sew the backing and the top, right sides together on top of the batting leaving a space to turn it right side out and then slip stitch the opening closed after you turn it. Maybe that's not what you meant?

yep,Eleanor Burns of Quilt in a Day does that but she makes it look so easy. machine quilting a turned quilt like that isn't easy. tieing them is best.

I do what I've heard called 'birth' a quilt...I think that's what you're trying to do. Sewing all the way around = leave a good opening and turn it right side out and then top stitch around the border.

I leave my batting and backing larger than my quilt top. The top is truly square. I layer it just like a regular quilt by taping it 'taunt' to the table and then pin the heck out of it - both in area of the quilt top and along the edge.

I have 2 waiting to be sewn right now. If you'd like to see a picture of my pinning - let me know.

Another hint I did not see with a quick look at posts---stitch one way then turn the quilt and stitch back.... Like turning around and going back down the road. Start at top of quilt with first row of quilting, then start at bottom of quilt with next row of quilting.

This works with quilting then binding or pillow case quilting.

Good luck.

Yes, all three layers need to be the same. If they aren't cut the same, lay them flat with the smaller fabric on top. Then stitch them like they were flat and trim after sewing.

Yes, all three layers need to be the same. If they aren't cut the same, lay them flat with the smaller fabric on top. Then stitch them like they were flat and trim after sewing.

The envelope, or pillowcase, method works fine for me. I layer the pieces as described, making sure there are no wrinkles or puckering in the layers, then pin;
stitch all around; trim off any excess beyond whatever seam allowance I want (I state it this way because often with these turned quilts I leave a full 1/2" seam allowance, so when I turn and topstitch 1/2" from the edge it makes a pleasing filled edge);
turn the whole thing right side out;
top stitch and it's all good to go.
The easiest way I've ever seen.

I used the birthing method on one quilt and found it to be harder than just sandwiching it. I'll stick to that method.

That sounds like it's exactly what I was trying to do. And yes, I would appreciate a picture very much! Maybe I didn't use enough pins and that's why everything shifted.

This is exactly what I was going to suggest. Sometimes when you sew in the same direction things get all whacky. I even do this when sewing strip sets together, so there is no wave.

Hope this helps. Hopefully I can get these sewn this weekend and post more pictures for you...and get them FINISHED for me!

Hi there,

thanks a lot for the pictures! Looks like you're doing this with a fairly decent sized quilt. Mine was only 30 by 40 or so. I did indeed not pin enough, and also, I think I didn't iron everything as flat as I should have. Though I should know better by now, every now and then I still try to take shortcuts and think a certain step isn't really necessary, but every time I get punished by having to redo something. Maybe this'll teach me ...

I gave up on birthing quilts the old fashioned way. I opted for the give me the drugs. :lol: :lol:

I know you have seen the pillow shams that open down the middle in the back. Imagine the pillow sham being the size of your quilt. I make my backing like that with one side overlapping 1/2" and machine stitch it closed to incorporate the seam into the quilting design which is usually straight line quilting on quilts I make like this. It works great for small size quilts or utility quilts. It's easy to smooth the quilt so there is no puckers and excess fabric with an opening down the back.

Now that's something I wouldn't have thought of! I'll give that a try soon. I think it may even work with FMQ, you could start at top, work towards the middle, stop a couple of inches before the overlap, start from the bottom and work towards the overlap, and do the overlap area last. I personally am not good at quilting in the ditch, think FMQ is a lot more forgiving. Thanks!

You're welcome - and they were Quilt for Kids quilts...so about 35 x 45.

I have had that happen many times. Usually I have either stretched the backing fabric too much (I usually use fleece) or I didn't stretch it enough. I don't think it's a problem to lay it out, stitch around, and then trim after, but I do think you need to pin the heck out of it and maybe tape down the bottom layer to make sure there's no shifting.

In my worst case, on a lap quilt there was a huge ripple down the back of the backing. I was almost in tears. Finally I took a deep breath and cut the ripple, trimmed off the extra, and sewed a strip of fabric all the way down the quilt, covering the cut. It actually turned out okay, as it added color to the back and looked intentional. But it is not a happy memory : )

Laurie

I never had this happen when pillowcasing a quilt. First make sure your measurements are even across the top, middle and bottom in both directions. Cut your batting and backing material to match the size of the top. I do baste around the edge of the top and backing before I piece them together and always use a walking foot.

I never had this happen when pillowcasing a quilt. First make sure your measurements are even across the top, middle and bottom in both directions. Cut your batting and backing material to match the size of the top. I do baste around the edge of the top and backing before I piece them together and always use a walking foot.