Quilting Basics

The following is a reference guide. For more information, consult a comprehensive quilting book.

BASIC TECHNIQUES

Appliqué Fusible Appliqué All templates in Quilter’s World are reversed for use with this technique. 1. Trace the instructed number of templates 1/4" apart onto the paper side of paperbacked fusible web. Cut apart the templates, leaving a margin around each, and fuse to the wrong side of the fabric following fusible web manufacturer's instructions. 2. Cut the appliqué pieces out on the traced lines, remove paper backing and fuse to the background referring to the appliqué motif given. 3. Finish appliqué raw edges with a straight, satin, blanket, zigzag or blindhem machine stitch with matching or invisible thread. Turned-Edge Appliqué 1. Trace the printed reversed templates onto template plastic. Flip the template over and mark as the right side. 2. Position the template, right side up, on the right side of fabric and lightly trace, spacing images 1/2" apart. Cut apart, leaving a 1/4" margin around the traced lines. 3. Clip curves and press edges 1/4" to the wrong side around the appliqué shape. 4. Referring to the appliqué motif, pin or baste appliqué shapes to the background. 5. Hand-stitch shapes in place using a blind stitch and thread to match or machinestitch using a short blind hemstitch and either matching or invisible thread. Borders Most Quilter’s World patterns give an exact size to cut borders. You may check those sizes by comparing them to the horizontal and vertical center measurements of your quilt top. Straight Borders 1. Mark the centers of the side borders and quilt top sides. 2. Stitch borders to quilt top sides with right sides together and matching raw edges and center marks using a 1/4" seam. Press seams toward borders. 3. Repeat with top and bottom border lengths. Mitered Borders 1. Add at least twice the border width to the border lengths instructed to cut. 2. Center and sew the side borders to the quilt, beginning and ending stitching 1/4" from the quilt corner and backstitching (Figure 1). Repeat with the top and bottom borders. 3. Fold and pin quilt right sides together at a 45- degree angle on one corner (Figure 2). Place a straightedge along the fold and lightly mark a line across the border ends. 4. Stitch along the line, backstitching to secure. Trim seam to 1/4" and press open (Figure 3). Quilt Backing & Batting We suggest that you cut your backing and batting 8" larger than the finished quilt-top size. If preparing the backing from standard-width fabrics, remove the selvages and sew two or three lengths together; press seams open. If using 108"wide fabric, trim to size on the straight grain of the fabric.

Prepare batting the same size as your backing. You can purchase prepackaged sizes or battings by the yard and trim to size.