You are here
Ready, Set, Quilt!
What does it take to get the layers of a quilt onto a long-arm machine? Machine-quilter Nancy Sharr shows us how it’s done on a Handi Quilter.
-
Step 1
Match center marks of backing and front leader (fabric strip attached to the front pole of the machine).
Related Links -
Step 2
Pin backing, wrong side up, to leader with corsage pins.
Related Links -
Step 3
Place pins close together, leaving less than 1⁄4" gaps, to avoid areas with uneven tension.
Related Links -
Step 4
Roll up backing onto front pole, keeping it straight, smooth, and centered. Continue until bulk of backing is rolled, leaving enough slack to pin opposite edge.
Related Links -
Step 5
Matching center marks in the same manner, pin opposite edge of backing to back leader. (Our backing is made from two contrasting batiks.)
Related Links -
Step 6
Roll remaining backing onto front roll.
Related Links -
Step 6 Continued
NOTE: The order of loading the backing and quilt top--and which roller/leader you put them on--varies depending on the long-arm machine manufacturer.
Related Links -
Step 7
Lay quilt top, right side up, on quilting frame. (We loaded our quilt top sideways so we could stitch the vertical sashing strips in one continuous design.)
Related Links -
Step 8
Matching center marks, pin front edge of quilt top to the remaining leader.
Related Links -
Step 9
Roll up quilt top, keeping it centered and smooth. If you're using a packaged batting, prepare it for the next step by smoothing it out over the quilting frame and letting it sit overnight.
Related Links -
Step 10
Tuck batting between the rollers and shift it to the top of the backing. Unroll quilt top and bring it up to the top of the batting/backing sandwich.
Related Links -
Step 11
Look at the upper edge of the quilt from the side of the machine, making sure the edge of the quilt top is straight. Also look at the surface of the quilt top to make sure it’s flat. Smooth out small bumps or tucks in the batting with your fingers.
Related Links -
Step 12
Thread the machine. To save time, Nancy cuts the old thread at the back of the machine, ties on the new thread, and pulls it through to the needle eye.
Related Links -
Step 13
Before quilting the layers, follow the manufacturer’s manual for where and how often to oil the machine.
Related Links -
Machine-Quilting
See machine-quilting in action! Watch Nancy Sharr use rulers and stitch allover, edge-to-edge designs.
Related Links -