- Nana K

Machine Quilting Made Easier

When Nana made this quilt, the finished size was 53″ x 63″. But before adding the borders, the quilt only measured 40″ x 50″. The smaller size made machine quilting the main body of the quilt much easier.

LET’S LEARN HOW!!

Using Nana’s quilt as an example, the main quilt center measured 40″ x 50-1/2″ unfinished. I had two borders. The inside border was 2″ and the outside border was 5-1/2 inch. (These will finish at 1-1/2 inch and 5 inches.

You are going to require backing and batting for the main quilt center and the borders. Therefore, cut or create backing that will be used for your smaller quilt. In my example, I cut a backing piece approximately 52 inches x WOF and a batting approximately the same size for the quilt center. I also cut backing and batting of 2″ and 5-1/2″ times the length of the borders to be attached later.

Working with the smaller quilt, create your quilt “sandwich” as normal with your batting and backing and machine quilt as desired. Square the quilt center and get ready to attach the borders.

NOTE: I used the same method to attach both borders one at a time. The pictures show the larger border being attached to the main quilt after the small border was attached. I did not quilt the small border.

Machine quilting was easier because the smaller quilt is easier to handle.
The main quilt has been quilted and the small inner border attached . We are ready to attach the larger border.

ATTACH YOUR BORDERS

I like to start with the side borders first, then add the top and bottom borders but you may switch this if desired.

With the right sides together pin or baste your border pieces to the main quilt.

The top border will be facing your quilt top (Right sides together)

and the backing border will be facing the backing.

Sew together with a 1/4 inch seam. You will be sewing through 5 layers – the quilt top border, the quilt top, the batting, the quilt backing and the backing border. DO NOT add the border backing yet!

Press both borders before adding the batting. This not only makes it neater but pressing after adding the batting may cause the batting to melt.

Pressing the border before adding the batting

Butt your batting up against the seam allowance.

Using the widest zig-zag stitch sew the batting to the seam allowance. WATCH-Don’t sew past the seam allowance and be careful NOT to catch the borders in your stitching.

This photo shows the batting butt up to the seam allowance and zig-zagged in place

Press again using your fabric to protect the batting from melting.

Once your side borders are stitched, square your corners, then repeat with the top and bottom borders.

Pin or baste your border “sandwich” layers together. They can now be quilted. The quilting on the border is very easy because you are now only having the 5″ edge going through the center of your machine.

Once your quilting is done, bind as desired, sit back and admire your creation.

This is what the backing looks like after adding and quilting the borders.

Nana had this WIP hiding in her closet for a number of years and it became one of her COVID projects. The quilt is made from a pattern called Moroccan Tiles. An oldie from Love of Quilting magazine March/April 2007 edition. Oddly enough, you can still buy the magazine HERE or a digital edition HERE!

 I would love to see photos of your creations. Tag them on Instagram with #whatsnanamaking @whatsnanamaking2019. I would also love to hear from you. Leave a comment below and don’t forget to share!!