by Carole Meisenhelter

Created on: January 26, 2009   Last Updated: September 26, 2009

Quilting has remained one of the most popular of stitching crafts since the days of our early settlers. Quilts offered much needed warmth then, not only for beds but also for windows and doorways. To any new quilter, it can be a little confusing as to the best technique to actually complete their quilt i.e. how to hold the layers of the quilt together. Having spent many hours stitching a colorful patch-work or applique quilt top either by hand or machine, now consideration is needed towards the following step, where three individual "layers" will form a quilt "sandwich".

The quilt sandwich consists of these three layers:

* A decorative patchwork or applique top.

* Underneath that is a layer of warmth, the wadding, sometimes referred to as batting.

This can be in various forms of synthetic (pellon, polyester), and natural fibers (cotton, wool, silk and even bamboo), some being more popular than others. Wadding is available in various thicknesses to suit the needs of your quilt in the making i.e. a lap quilt may only need a slim or lightweight wadding/batting material as opposed to say a cozy, more lofty winter quilt, with greater insulating properties for your bed.

* At the very bottom is the backing material.

This is where you usually find a cloth label, either printed or stitched with the date of completion and the quilters own signature.

There are several recognized methods that can be used to hold these three layers together.

Method #1 is for Hand Basting

This method would be the oldest, and one that is favored by many quilters still today. It is simply rows of long tacking stitches through each of the three layers to hold the quilt together.

Each layer needs to be set on top of each other, perfectly flat. A large table-top, billiard table or even a clean floor surface can be utilized for this process. Having extra hands can help immensely to ensure a wrinkle-free finish.

a) First lay the backing fabric face-down

b) Place the wadding on top of the backing fabric

c) Next add your patchwork top, face-up

1. These three layers can be basted together now with long tacking stitches. Use a large comfortable needle type, such as a Sharps, with regular thread. Bring the needle up at the centre from underneath.

2. Continue across with large tacking stitches to one side of the quilt and finish off if you like with a large holding stitch to secure.

3. Start anew at the center, and continue the row to the opposite side of the quilt.

4. Continue making rows of large tacking

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