pstagl Posted January 2, 2006 Report Share Posted January 2, 2006 Many of my customers bring me backings that are not square. Does anyone have an easy explanation that I can tell or print out for my customers? Thanks! Patty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckirk Posted January 2, 2006 Report Share Posted January 2, 2006 There is a good explaination of this in Carol Thelan's book about longarming, including pictures. I think the title is Longarm Machine Quilting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbWetzel Posted January 2, 2006 Report Share Posted January 2, 2006 I have had to square up the back before also. I have also told folks not to use sheets on the backing. I usually fold the top and use my long ruller and rotary cutter to even it up. There needs to be plenty of extra backing inorder to make it even. Good luck. Be sure to tell your customers to give you at least 4 inches on each side. Barb Wetzel Ivy Corner Quilting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnuGram Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 Also, VERY IMPORTANT, make sure your customers know they should measure the back AFTER squaring it up, otherwise you may get something less than the 4" required on each side. I know it sounds like common sense, but . . . well . . . it happens all the time. Sara Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltaholi_518 Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 I hold the backing folded with the selvedge edges up in my fingers. If the fabric does not fall straight and "wobbles" a bit, I shift the edges back and forth till it falls stright. Then I take it to a big cutting board with gridding, and using that, i cut each edge straight. I repeat the same process holding the cut edges this time. That usually does the trick. That being said, I would rather my client NOT do this, as they won't get it the way I like it. I instruct them simply to tear all width of fabric edges, and once it's sewn together, tear off teh selvedges that are in the seam. In other words leave the outermost selvedges on. That way I have to very little squaring up. You may want to read the "Preparing you backing" page on my website. You may use any of it you like in a handout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pstagl Posted January 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 Great answers! Thanks so much for the input. I square up the way you explained it, Caron, just couldn't put into words. You all are the best! Patty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ammueller7 Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 Hi - I use Carons method also and like my clients to bring their backs squared - with a little teaching - they do jut fine - the problem I had was describing the selvedges together thing and trying to explain to them how to watch the "drape" of the fabric - I always ended up saying "It's really hard to explain but I'd be glad to show you how when you get here. Then have them bring in their back "really big" and show them how - I finally,k after many months of laboring over how to explain this process, have come up with a hand out with pictures and I'd be glad to email it to you if you'd like - it has become invaluable - and the backs are starting to come in machine ready. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltjunkie Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 Another thing you might want to mention to your customers who like to wash their fabrics..tell them to cut the backing after washing not before..This is of course from experience where the customer left 4 inches before washing but barely had an inch on each side when I mounted, it was also cheap Wal-Mart fabric so a lot of shrinking!! Hester:P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iloveitsew Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 Originally posted by quiltaholi_518 I hold the backing folded with the selvedge edges up in my fingers. If the fabric does not fall straight and "wobbles" a bit, I shift the edges back and forth till it falls stright. Then I take it to a big cutting board with gridding, and using that, i cut each edge straight. I repeat the same process holding the cut edges this time. That usually does the trick. That being said, I would rather my client NOT do this, as they won't get it the way I like it. I instruct them simply to tear all width of fabric edges, and once it's sewn together, tear off teh selvedges that are in the seam. In other words leave the outermost selvedges on. That way I have to very little squaring up. You may want to read the "Preparing you backing" page on my website. You may use any of it you like in a handout. I really appreciate your sugjestions and was greatful for the use of you web site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iloveitsew Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 Originally posted by angiemueller Hi - I use Carons method also and like my clients to bring their backs squared - with a little teaching - they do jut fine - the problem I had was describing the selvedges together thing and trying to explain to them how to watch the "drape" of the fabric - I always ended up saying "It's really hard to explain but I'd be glad to show you how when you get here. Then have them bring in their back "really big" and show them how - I finally,k after many months of laboring over how to explain this process, have come up with a hand out with pictures and I'd be glad to email it to you if you'd like - it has become invaluable - and the backs are starting to come in machine ready. Could you e-mail those instuctions for the squaring. I sure appreceate it. Iolveitsew@yahoo.comMy e-mail address needs to be corrected. It is iloveitsew@yahoo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pstagl Posted January 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2006 Thanks, everybody! Angie, I sure would appreciate those instructions you have for the squaring. My email is pstagl2@comcast.net Patty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda S Posted January 4, 2006 Report Share Posted January 4, 2006 I buy a lot of my backings from Christian Lane Quilters, as they have a fabulous selection of wide backings. Here is the link to their tips on how to square up a wide backing: http://www.christianlanequilters.citymax.com/squaring.html Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurynne Posted January 6, 2006 Report Share Posted January 6, 2006 Originally posted by iloveitsew Originally posted by angiemueller Hi - I use Carons method also and like my clients to bring their backs squared - with a little teaching - they do jut fine - the problem I had was describing the selvedges together thing and trying to explain to them how to watch the "drape" of the fabric - I always ended up saying "It's really hard to explain but I'd be glad to show you how when you get here. Then have them bring in their back "really big" and show them how - I finally,k after many months of laboring over how to explain this process, have come up with a hand out with pictures and I'd be glad to email it to you if you'd like - it has become invaluable - and the backs are starting to come in machine ready. Could you e-mail those instuctions for the squaring. I sure appreceate it. Iolveitsew@yahoo.comMy e-mail address needs to be corrected. It is iloveitsew@yahoo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurynne Posted January 6, 2006 Report Share Posted January 6, 2006 Enjoy reading all in informtion on this site. I would like to have a copy of the hand sheet you have on "Squaring up backing". Sounds like a great idea. E-mail address is lurynne@hotmail.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrna Ficken Posted January 6, 2006 Report Share Posted January 6, 2006 Linda, Thanks for the link. Myrna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diane Bevans Posted January 6, 2006 Report Share Posted January 6, 2006 I also would prefer that my customers did not use sheets, but I tell them to buy the cheapest they can find at Walmarts usually, as the thread count is about 180 which is about what muslin is. And I don't have a problem with it. I also like the folds that are sewn in taken out and pressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Circle Square Posted January 7, 2006 Report Share Posted January 7, 2006 I have one customer who brings me sheets for backs. She takes out the hems and presses the fabric. I haven't had any problem with them. I find most people don't really know what "square" means, and I would rather square the backs myself. Tearing the fabric rarely makes them square, as something in the weaving or wrapping on bolts causes the fabric to be warped. I went to the hardware store and found a builders t-square, the long arm is 48" and the short arm is about 18", made of aluminum. It works well for squaring. I draw a ling with a sharpie marker and then cut with scissors. I don't have a table big enough, so I do this on my livingroom floor. :cool: (What-ever works!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.