CJ, a question on the tutorial....

**SewCrafty** · 10-29-2003, 06:23 PM

You said that we have to cut our backing and batting 4" larger than the quilt top.

Is that 4" total (2" all the way around)?

OR

Is that 4" per side and ends all the way around the quilt top?

**homesteadmamma** · 10-29-2003, 09:15 PM

Dee that is 4 inches on each side and 4 inches top and bottom.     The reason for this is because when you begin to quilt your quilt, be it hand or machine, the material tends to shrink on the bottom.    And its amazing how much it does.

Its very frustrating to get almost finished your quilt and realize you don't have quite enough material for your backing.

Don't every trim your backing or batting until your finished quilting and are ready to put your binding on..    I need to add that to the tutorial in a minute.      It just doesn't work.

You will end up with some extra material when you come to putting the binding on, but its far better to have that extra material, than end up with not having enough backing.

For example, lets say you cut your material the exact size.   It shrinks 3/8 inch or 2 inches, then you've got to add material and your quilt is already quilted.    See what I mean, not an easy job.    Trust me on this one, I speak from experience and did it more than once before I finally realized adding extra on each side is by far the best way.