New Year, New quilts…
Before we begin with a quilt we must place the quilt top, batting and backing onto the frame. Do you feel like you need to stand on your head to do this? Does loading take you hours to leave you exhausted before you even begin quilting?
Think about loading just like you as if you are to baste a quilt on a table top…
1. Lay the back right sides down.
2. Place the batting on top of the backing.
3. Lay the quilt top right side up on top of the batting.
Let’s begin with the backing…
Lay the backing right side down over the quilt frame. I drape it over the take up bar and the backing bar.
loading the backing of the quilt
Pin the backing to the Leadercloth at the take up bar and on the backing bar. Roll the bars until the backing is smooth, but not tight.
Pins are placed parallel to the bar, head to tip, with few spaces in between.
backing is rolled gently on the take up bar and backing bar
Place the batting on top of the backing. Just below the line of pins.
- batting on top of the backing fabric
Smooth it out. Tuck it between the backing bar and the quilt top bar. No pinning is necessary.
- batting just below the pin line
Now the quilt top…
Place this right side UP on the batting.
- Quilt top on top of batting, right side up
Pin this to the quilt top Leadercloth only.
- Quilt top is pinned only to the quilt top leader
Roll it onto the quilt top bar until it is almost tight. The top edge of the quilt top will lie just below the line of batting. At this point you can pin or baste the quilt top. I find it is easier to baste a nice straight line with my machine.
- All parts are ready to quilt!
Now you are ready to begin practicing!
My favorite notion of the month:
Flower Head pins: long, straight, and flexible. I don’t need as many pins for loading because of the length. The flexibility & the flower head helps them to lay flat against the poles of the frame. Check them out!
Magnetic Pin Bowl: I wouldn’t quilt without this! It holds my pins, screwdriver, snips, seam ripper, bobbins, and more! It is strong enough to stick to the poles of my frame while I am pinning my quilt to the leaders! Wonderful!
Be sure to check my website for special on the pins & bowl!
Happy Quilting!
