by Laura Moore

Created on: January 15, 2010

The process of holding two sides of fabric together, with or without batting, is what makes a quilt…well, a quilt. Otherwise, you have two blankets and a sheet of cotton. Whether creating a small wall quilt or an enormous king sized spread, the layers of your quilt MUST stay in place while quilting. If your top shifts, you will have puckering. Basically, a fold will be created as the stitching progresses. Regardless of the gizmos and gadgets out there on the market for holding your layers together, there is only one surefire method.

Pinning your quilt. Here is a step-by-step process for ensuring your quilt is aligned from start to finish.

1) Spread your quilt backing FACE DOWN on a hard flat surface, i.e. wood or tile floor swept clean.

2) Using masking tape (brown), secure the corners and several points along the edges of the backing. Pull slightly to ensure a smooth flat backing without drawing it too tight that ripples are created.

3) Spread your batting (if using) on top of the backing.

4) Repeat step 2 with your batting.

5) Lay your pieced quilt top FACE UP on top of the batting. You want your backing and batting to be larger than your quilt top at this point. Use one edge to align your top to the back if necessary.

6) Repeat step 2 with your quilt top.

7) Using large quilting pins (curved safety pins), secure the layers together. Start at the center. Pin down to the hard floor surface to ensure all layers are caught. Fasten pin.

8) Using your fist as a measuring tool, pin your quilt every three inches in all directions. The rule here is: if you place your fist anywhere on your quilt 4 pins will tough it.

9) Remove the tape.

10) Quilt your layers together by machine or hand, removing each pin as you come to it.

11) Trim the batting and backing to meet the quilt top edge.

12) Bind.

Pinning your layers together so closely may seem like overkill. Just consider how much time you have spent on the quilt top. You are so proud of it. The cutting and piecing was time consuming. Perhaps you did applique, which turned out adorable. The last thing you want is a pleat in the quilt top to distract from the pattern and fabric you so carefully selected. Take the time at this step and you will be so glad you did.

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