As promised I have a number of Basics Tutorials for general quilt-making.  Preparing a quilt back can be as simple as sewing two pieces together, or pieced until large enough for your quilt top.

As a general rule 3″ all around is sufficient for quilting at home with your machine, if you are sending it out to be quilted check with your quilter for specific requirements.

Here’s the most basic method of prepping a quilt back:

This quilt measures 60″x62″, so I folded the longer length over.  Then lay out my backing fabric beside it, it’s folded as it came off the bolt, and I double it back the width (in this case) of the quilt.

 Leaving 3″ – cut away excess fabric.  In not all circumstances will you have excess.

 Go back to the folded edge and cut along the fold so that you have 2 pieces of equal length fabric.

 Trim away selvage edges.  You can toss these or save them for a special selvage project :)

 Sew long edges together, using 1/2 seam.  Pin if you feel necessary :)

Press your seam open, and you are ready to baste your layers!

More to come – I hope this helps some of you~
Amy

The quilt pictured is available as a tutorial here.
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