71
9-1-2022
APQS.com
Quilting Basics
Step 4: Prepare the Backing Fabric for Loading
•
Measure the backing fabric
–
is it large enough for the entire quilt?
•
Trim two parallel sides which will mount to the frame (should be the same sides to match the way your
top will be pinned, e.g., if mounting the quilt sideways, then the backing sides need to be trimmed
parallel to each other).
•
Find the center of the backing fabric; mark with a pin or make a tiny snip to mark each parallel edge.
•
Check the seam allowances of the seam
–
have selvedges been removed? If not, snip the selvedge every
four inches or so to allow stretch.
Note: selvedges along the outer edges of the backing do not
necessarily need to be removed, but loading may be easier if the selvedges are cut off.
•
Press out heavy wrinkles, especially any bolt creases or fold lines.
•
Determine which side is the “right side” and which is the “wrong side” of the backing fabric.
•
Place a safety pin on the edge that represents the “top” of your backing, even if you’re going to mount it
sideways on your frame. You’ll also put a safety pin in the “top” of your quilt. When it’s time to load the
layers on your frame, make sure the safety pins end up on the same side of the frame.
No matter what loading method or attachment device you use, the backing fabric must always be loaded to the
Quilt Back Roller and the Pick-Up Roller. While your backing does not need to be completely “square,” it DOES
need to have two straight, parallel edges
–
the ones you decided to attach to the rollers as described in the
previous paragraph. Find the center of each of those edges and mark them.
Step 5: Partially Attach the Backing Fabric
Option 1:
Loosen your front brake and unroll about 8 inches of canvas leader fabric from the
Backing Roller. Reach down between the rollers and grab the canvas edge, then flip the
canvas back upon itself, resting it upon the roller. This makes pinning easier, since both the
Quilt Top Roller and the PickUp Roller act as “smoothers” for the backing as you wind it on
the roller. Re-engage the brake.
Option 2:
Loosen the brake. Unroll several inches of canvas from the Backing Roller, then
pass the backing canvas UNDER the Quilt Top Roller and around it, so that the backing
canvas edge rests on the Backing Roller (photos above).
Backing
Roller
Canvas
Option 1
Option 2