Uh-oh.. what now???
 

I'm starting my first ever quilt--- a baby quilt for my grandson (who is due in June). I think I'd like to check with some experienced quilters first. My first question is what do I do with the edges? I assume that I cut the batting the size of the smallest piece, which in this case is the panel piece. The back of the quilt (an all-over print) is slightly larger (maybe 2" on each side?) than the top, so could I just fold it over to make a little bias-type edge? I hope this question makes sense. I've attached some pictures below to show what I'm working with (I hope they get bigger if you click on them). Thanks for any advice, tips, or comments..... [ATTACH=CONFIG]318383[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]318384[/ATTACH]

Usually cut batting larger than the front, same for the backing. About 2 inches all around. They seem to shrink a bit when you quilt them together. Folding the back over to the front is definitely a way to finish it. But, that is not called bias. The fabric used from the back is definitely on the straight of grain. Check some YouTube videos if you feel you need more help. They are great. You must quilt it by tying or stitching before you bind the edges.

Another option for a beginning quilter is to do the pillowcase method which supposes minimal quilting. Cut the back and the front fabrics the same size, with the batting just about 1/2" smaller. Lay the two fabrics right sides together, with the batting on top and then sew around 3-1/2 sides. From the opening, grab the two far ends of everything and then pull through the opening. You now have what amounts to a pillowcase with batting inside. Do some stitching around the edges of the center panel and the next border, then close the opening. Simple and quick.

I am not sure what you are asking, but your batting & the quilt backing needs to be bigger than your top - DO NOT CUT ANYTHING UNTIL YOU QUILT IT -
You need to sandwich your top, batting & backing by either pinning it together or basting it - you squaring up & binding are done after the quilted is quilting.

Very very cute

Very cute.

ArtsyOne, your pillow case technique is brilliant! Thanks for sharing.

Oops...too late on cutting the batting. I cut it already but about 1/4" larger than the panel. Since I posted the original question, I found one YouTube tutorial on how to finish the edges. I think it's similar to ArtsyOne's pillow case approach.

However, after looking at it all afternoon, I'm now considering cutting the backing fabric the same size as the front panel and using the cut off portion (which will be a nice strip) to make a binding. Argh... I think I'm going to have to sleep on this one before I jump in and do something I'll regret. In the meantime, I really appreciate everyone's advice.

the quilting needs to be done before you cut the backing the same as the front- or it will wind up being smaller than the front when you quilt it---you layer the (sandwich---backing, batting, top---baste either with pins or with thread or with a spray basting----quilt it---then square it up- trim it even and add a binding-
or you can fold excess from the back to the front and machine stitch it as a binding---or you can put the top & back facing---stitch around 3 sides- turn right side out----quilt- then finish the final edge---but if you are going to bind it you need to quilt it first---and the backing needs to be larger than the top to quilt it

Use a spray baste, the quilt. When you are done quilting, the decide whether to trim or fold over.
I do not prefer pillowcase method because things can shift during quilting and if youve already sewn the edges you may have issues.