Sewing the backing of your quilt together
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SC
Posts: 1,909
#13
I have always cut off the selvages and plan to continue doing that. However I recently longarmed a quilt for the owner of a LQS, and she left the selvages on! She did use a very wide seam allowance. I figure this lady has much more experience in quilt making than I do, so I didn't question her on this. (But I'm going to continue to cut off my selvages.)
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Central Missouri
Posts: 715
My boss (our LQS owner) also longarms quilts. Often we have to piece the backings for her. She has me cut off the selvages with the rotary cutter and 24" ruler BEFORE seaming them. I've always cut my selvages off, just sometimes after I seam the back!
#16
I've left the selvages on before and really did not like the results even though I sewed a wide seam. When I cut selvages off of long yardage I lay the fold of the fabric on a straight line and fold the yardage over itself until I have a manageable length that I can then lay a ruler horizontal and cut the selvage off.
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Mechanicsville, IA
Posts: 1,497
As a longarm quilter I always prefer the selvage is removed. It can cause puckers in the backing as the selvage does not stretch like the rest of the fabric. After going to all the work of piecing a king size quilt why take a short cut now when you may live to regret it later.
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: The Colony, TX
Posts: 3,364
I usually just snip and rip. If you don't like that method make a really wide seam (1") and then trim the selvages off leaving a 1/2". Everyone is right, the selvages are more tightly woven than the rest of the fabric and once the quilt is washed you most likely will notice puckering. I haven't read in any book where they were left on.
#19
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NoraB
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05-08-2016 05:17 AM