This was a quilt for a dear friend that I did before putting Scrap Dance Minuet on the frame. It had a couple of minor problems, and it is a good time now to show you how I dealt with those. It was a really pretty quilt, with a batik backing. Regular readers know that batiks are not my favorite thing to work with. The tighter weave doesn’t shrink with steaming to deal with extra ripples here and there. The very thing that most of you like about batiks is the quality I don’t like, LOL!! Luckily, my friend is a star piecer and her tops usually lay flat without manipulating. The backing had the issue this time. This seam on the backing has been sewn crooked as the fabric apparently wasn’t cut straight. It is straight for the majority of the joining seam, but at the end veers off to one side. This puts more fabric on one side of the seam, creating a sag on the edge with a big wrinkle. If I don’t do something, that will create a pleat in the backing as it is quilted.
This happens a lot, but is easy to deal with. What I do is stuff a wad of batting under the roller to take up the extra so the backing lays flat across the quilting space. I’ll take this out before I roll the quilt, and replace it as needed to keep the backing flat.
Another issue is that this quilt does not have borders. Even before I began smoothing and pulling on the top, the seams at the edge are beginning to work apart. This is why longarmers beg quilters to stay stitch edges. I have two choices here, either take the top off and run a line of stitching all the way around to stabilize it, or just tack it down as I go. I opted for the latter this time. The problem with this method is it is tedious, and I have to do a lot of start/stop so I won’t get my fingers under the hopping foot.
All loaded, I like the design. It looks like waves to me. No, I do not know the pattern.
I put a swirly pantograph on it called Fascination by Lorien Quilting. I use this one a lot as it covers a lot of space in a hurry, and the gentle curves soften the sharper edges of the piecework.
The batting is Hobbs 80/20. The thread is taupe Glide in the top, with Bottom Line in the bobbin.
It came out nicely, I thought. The quality batting gives good definition to the quilting.
All done, the quilt went back without trimming per her request. I forgot to get a shot of the backing, but it is flat and straight without any tucks or puckers.
What are you working on this week?
From My Carolina Home 
You are one clever talented gal!!
Very pretty quilt enhanced by your expertise. Great job!
beautiful quilt!
Thanks for the tip on stuffing batting to even the backing out on the frame. I know I will use that one. You did a great explanation, thanks.
As a longarm quilter, I’m with you–not a fan of batik backs, due to the tight weave. They cost more, also. You dealt very graciously with your friends quilt.
Your ability to trouble shoot and fix on the fly is a gift Carole! A lovely quilt made even better by your excellent choice for quilting.
Lovely design on this quilt you were working with. I could use that in my bedroom! Lol.
Thank you for the batting /sagging tip. So helpful.
well, this turned out beautiful. And that is why YOU are the long armer.
I have a long arm quilter right down the road. The first quilt I gave her was a rumpled heap and the backing was not even made, just four yards of fabric,.
Theresa was very very gracious and she quilted that quilt beautifully, When I took the quilt home, I knew the work she did, and she did not charge me, but I did see on the work sheet that these are things she charges for.
So, the next two quilts I gave her where ready to go. i had pieced the packing yardage
and also stitched around the edge of the quilt. I made sure the quilt was squared (the first quilt was, luckily) and neatly pressed . I also did clean up the threads.
With the first quilt, she made no mention of the extra work.
Thinking back, it was my first quilt long armed, and she was an angel. I did tell her that I learned a lot and I did appreciate her tidiness. She has a full time government contractor job and I just do not know how she does it all. I am just so appreciative that she is just two miles away. Her long arm room is upstairs in a bed room. In her closet are a few …. a modest pile of quilted quilts with binding machine sewn. If I was not a gramma to 4 littles, and taking care of daddy, I would finish the hand sewing for her. Maybe one day.
Happy Wednesday already Carole. Time just flies doesn;t it?
What a beautiful quilt! Thanks for the tip on the backing.. I’ll keep it in mind for next time I get a backing issue like that… I love Lorien Quiltings patterns, but I don’t have that one. Might have to put it on my wish list!! xx
Very pretty! I’m glad there are quilters like you that know all the tips and tricks. I’ve not yet ventured into the quilting part yet.
You certainly need to know a lot of tricks when you are quilting for a lot of different people.
You are so good at problem solving. That is a unique pattern. I can’t say I’ve ever seen a quilt that looked like that, but it’s quite attractive.