"My soul is fed with needle and thread."
Every Quilt has a story...
- Rock the Needle Quilt Company -
Squaring up a quilt is a choice - not a necessity. The idea behind squaring up is that the final quilt will have the same length and width throughout. It's a general guideline for all quilters.
However, it's not always necessary. Fabric is very pliable, stretchable, and even unravels. The most carefully handled block will eventually distort and these distortions add up across a quilt. Most of the time, these variations are extremely minor and unnoticeable.
To Square or not to Square is a personal choice for each quilter and each quilt top.
However, it's not always necessary. Fabric is very pliable, stretchable, and even unravels. The most carefully handled block will eventually distort and these distortions add up across a quilt. Most of the time, these variations are extremely minor and unnoticeable.
To Square or not to Square is a personal choice for each quilter and each quilt top.
Perfect squaring is important if a quilt is to be hung upright. When hung, the eye will be able to see unevenness in the shaping of the quilt edge. If the quilt is destined to be dispalyed this way, good squaring up practices are important.
Absolutely! Here are a some we have used.
Learn How to Square A Quilt with Rob!
Squaring Up Your Quilt (with Aimee).
Learn How to Square A Quilt with Rob!
Squaring Up Your Quilt (with Aimee).
Usually, we would prefer not to cut into your quilt top, as squaring up requires removing some quilt top material.
Embellishments are added elements to the quilt top. These might be buttons, sequins, ribbons, charms, pins, couching, piping, metal, felt...
We love embellishments. Truly. Unfortunately, Long Arm Quilting Machines can eat them and destroy the quilt in the process. Embellishments take up space between the sewing foot and the fabric - a space that's roughly the thickness of a grain of rice. When you add the backing, the batting, and the quilt top together, it's a snug fit. The machine cannot hop over these items. The best time to add embellishments is after the quilting is done. (And if you do, please send us pictures - we love to see them!)
Borders provide a perpendicular lock stitch against edge of a quilt top and keep the seams on the edges of the quilt from unraveling. When a quilt does not have a border, these edge seams are fragile and even light handling can cause them to separate. A "Stay Stitch" is a single line of stitching right next to the edge of the quilt. This will be shy of 1/4 inch, because we want it to be hidden in the binding. This simple trick will keep all of the quilt seems locked into place.