How Do I Make Sure my Quilt top is Flat?

Q: Hi- I made my first quilt a queen size patch quilt. Looks ok. It buckled in the center, but all in all it looks good. I am not sure if it was the squares or the sewing machine.

Do you have any tips for me when I start making my next one. I have a couple of orders from my friends for me to make them one. I told them about the buckle in the middle, but that doesn't seem to bother them, and maybe a pattern I can follow.

By the way, I really enjoy reading your mail.

Kathy

A: Kathy - The buckling in the middle of your quilt could be caused by any one of a few things. Here are some tips to help prevent it from happening.

Make sure that your quilt top is flat before you layer it. Pressing can help you see if it is. If it isn't flat, check the patches, chances are that they are slightly different sizes, and may need to be un-sewn and re-sewn.
Smooth all of the layers - quilt top, batting, and backing - before you baste. One advantage of using cotton batting is that it sticks to the cotton fabric layers and helps keep them together.
Begin basting from the center of the quilt and work your way to the outside. On large quilts, I begin basting right in the center and baste to one edge of the quilt. Then I go back to the center and baste to the other edge.
Baste in several different directions. I baste across the quilt, up and down, and from each of the corners to the opposite corner (making a big X on the quilt). Start each direction from the center of the quilt.
Begin quilting in the center of your quilt, and make sure that you maintain good tension on all layers of the quilt as you are quilting. You can do this in a hoop as easily as you can in a frame.
Remove your basting stitches before you quilt, and adjust the layers to make sure that you have good tension.

Hope that helps.

Happy Quilting!

Penny is a quilter of more than 25 years who seeks to interest new quilters and provide them with the resources necessary to create beautiful quilts.

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