To sew quilt together:
1. Trim off selvages from 2 backing lengths; discard. Sew lengths together along 1 long edge. Lay backing, right side down, on flat surface. Centre batting on backing.
2. Centre quilt top, right side up, on batting. (Backing seam should be centred and parallel to long edges of quilt top.) Ensure that all layers are smooth, then baste together through all 3 layers.
Basting tip: Before quilting, baste layers together as follows: Beginning at centre of quilt top, sew a line of basting stitches out to each corner, then a line from centre to midpoint of each edge.
To quilt:
By hand, quilt "in the ditch" along edges of calico squares only.
To finish:
1. Carefully trim batting only, even with edges of quilt top.
2. Trim backing 2 cm out from edges of quilt top; press under 1 cm along edges of backing.
3. Fold pressed edge of backing to front of quilt; slipstitch edge along marked line on quilt top, mitring corners as you work. Remove basting.
Rotary-cutting tips
Rotary cutters and rulers allow you to cut several layers of fabric simultaneously and accurately.
• With selvages even and long and cross grains aligned, fold or stack fabric in layers.
• To cut across fabric, align square ruler with one selvage, then position straight ruler along side edge of square ruler, just inside raw edge of fabric; cut from selvage to selvage, along cross grain.
• To cut strips, align appropriate measurement marking on straight ruler with cut edge of fabric; cut strips having required width or length of template. Using square ruler, trim selvages from strip ends.
• To cut squares, align appropriate measurement marking on straight ruler with cut end of strip; cut required number of squares. (Note: When making several cuts in different directions, check that edges of all fabric layers are even prior to each cut.)
Read more:
Knitted patchwork quilt
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