Dustee Posted February 2, 2012 Report Share Posted February 2, 2012 Hi, I have problems getting my backing squared. I feel like a juggler working with the large pieces of fabric and getting them to lay right for squaring. What steps do you take to square the backing fabric? Any advise is greatly appreciated. Dustee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustee Posted February 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2012 Oops... I posted this in the wrong forum. Can anyone help me to change this to "Gone Quilting, Chat about anything"? Oh bother, My first post and I screwed it up. How embarrasing is that?? Dustee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted February 2, 2012 Report Share Posted February 2, 2012 Leave it we will see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted February 2, 2012 Report Share Posted February 2, 2012 If I have excess backer fabric, I snip and rip so it tears on the grain. I have heard that some people take their backers and fold them in half and then quarters and cut the two edges edge with a rotary cutter. I don't do that, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted February 2, 2012 Report Share Posted February 2, 2012 I usually rip if I can but a lot of times these wide batts aren't very straight and you can lose a lot of fabric. In that case I fold it in half, half again and cut. I lay it on the back of my table and bring over a cutting board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fineseams Posted February 3, 2012 Report Share Posted February 3, 2012 Linda posted a REALLY useful description of how to square a very large backer. Check it out http://www.apqs.com/quiltboard/viewthread.php?tid=30121&page=1#pid386315 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quietlifeaz Posted February 3, 2012 Report Share Posted February 3, 2012 I use the same process I use for squaring fat quarters or yardage for cutting strips..just on a larger scale. I drape the fabric on my top roller -- the canvas has enough grip to hold the fabric in place while I slide the top layer right our left to get rid of any "wrinkles". This is what I tell my customers on my "preparing your quilt for a longarm quilter" tip sheet: Square your backing ---You can do this by folding it in half and “sliding the raw edge” to one side or the other until the fold hangs without any rippling (much like squaring up a fat quarter for rotary cutting) then fold in quarters and using your rotary cutter and rulers trim it even. ---A good video of this technique for fat quarters can be found at http://onlinequilting.wordpress.com/2009/08/14/squaring-up-your-fabric/ --- this concept can be applied to larger backing pieces either with the help of a friend, or by lying it on the floor or a table large enough to fold it in half, selvedge edges together. ---After squaring your backing, measure it again to make sure that it is a total of 6-8 inches larger than the top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quietlifeaz Posted February 3, 2012 Report Share Posted February 3, 2012 slide the top fabric until all thewrinkles go away. then fold in half vertically and take to your cutting table and cut a straight line through all layers (may need to cut both the sides and "top" selveges) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustee Posted February 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2012 Thanks to all for your input. I learned alot. I will put this information to good use. I have had my millie for a few years but was afraid of it. With such a large investment, I was afraid I would break it. I have PPP'd alot but only have had a few actual quilts on the Millie. I have about 30 quilts to quilt. So wish me luck! If I can figure out how to post pictures, I will post pictures of my progress. Dustee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted February 4, 2012 Report Share Posted February 4, 2012 Your thoughts about "breaking it" are shared by each and every new owner! Believe me, everything on it is fixable--usually by the owner with the help of the manual, support from the home office, or, many times, a forum member. And in contrast, not a lot of it is "breakable"! Once you get a few quilts finished, the intimidation is gone and you can relax more--and quilt more. Bring on the pictures!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted February 4, 2012 Report Share Posted February 4, 2012 Another comment--I see you are in Iowa--close enough to cart your baby back to the nursery if you are anxious about replacing parts--if and when you ever need to. Lucky girl! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustee Posted February 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2012 Yes, I am about 1 1/2 hours from the Factory in Carrol, IA and 2 1/2 hours from Des Moines. So I am a lucky girl. I think what scared me the most. I only had my Millie a couple of months, broke a needle and threw the machine out of time. Mark at APQS was able to steer me in the right direction. I got a hold of the techs in Des Moines. They e-mailed the instructions and talked me through the timing with no problems. But I was scared to death of my Millie after that experience. With my practicing and a few quilts later I am feeling more confident. Thanks, Dustee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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