Well the top is 90" x 110". The pattern calls for 8 1/4 and at the store we figured it to be just about right. I actually have to piece three cuts together. I will have quite a bit left and so I suppose if I were to piece together more segments, I could have saved some money, but not much. I will be using this fabric in another quilt. In fact, I have already started piecing together that one!!!
Wow. You know, I just can't see it! But you're the one who is there, and I'm sure the lady at the quilt store knows better than me! But I'm thinking 90" is 2.5 yards, and if you have three cuts, that's 2.5x3, which is 7.5, and even then I'd guess you'd have a good bit left over, depending on the width of the fabric. Of course, you'd want the backing to be bigger than the actual finished size, too, so that might be part of why you'd have about a yard more.
Yeah, when they baste it on the machine, they need several inches more to clamp the backing. It works out in the end. I will use some of the extra (or maybe most of it) on this other quilt. I am really too picky when I make quilts, but in a way I am glad. That way when I am done, I don't have any (or as many) regrets. I only do a couple a year, so I don't spend thousands of dollars. I could enjoy making more if I had the time and money. There is a quilt shop that isn't too far away that gives lessons on how to use a longarm and then they let you rent their longarm machine to do your own quilting. I could probably get one done in 2-4 hours. For now, I will stick to hand quilting or machine quilting the small ones at home.
Ive never done machine basting. I tape my batting onto a table or the floor (if it's small enough!). I can do one up to twin size on the cement floor in Carl's back room, and have done smaller ones on Rachael's hard-wood. But the full size quilt I did for when my dss gets married was done at the quilt store over two (three?) tables. I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to learn how to use the long arm!!! The one quilt shop here has one, but that would still be cost-prohibitive. I won a WONDERFUL machine at as the main door prize two years back, and the first thing I did was get a walking foot. I got an open-toe foot that you need for free quilting this past Christmas, but haven't quite got the hang of it yet. And I got this is what I got for Christmas this year: http://www.sewsteady.com/ It's been a big help keeping the quilt up and not dragging!
When I bast my own, I tape the backing on the floor. Then I tape the batting down. Then I lay the top down. Then I pin it. I just hate the process of basting. I don't have a table big enough and being on the floor is the pits. The quilt I am doing now is the largest one I have done. All the other ones I have done have been lap size or baby/toddler quilts and two baby doll quilts. I can't imagine being on the floor long enough to baste this giant quilt.
Leave it to me to do things odd.....I've always basted my quilts on the kitchen table. Even the king size one I did. I start by carefully measuring my table and finding the EXACT middle on the length on both sides....I then place a toothpick on that spot and tape over the whole toothpick. Same on width. Then I find exact middle of the table by using string and again, tape toothpick. Beginning with the backing, I fold it in half lengthwise (wrong side together), then in half widthwise....I place the point of both those folds at my toothpick in the middle of the table. Carefully unfold once and line my fold with the toothpicks....so, my backing fabric is folded in half covering exactly half of the table. Very carefully I then unfold the final fold. I hold the backing in place (taunt) with tablecloth clips. (cheep white clips you can find at the dollar store.) I repeat the same process with the batting and then the quilt top. This is where the tape covered toothpicks come in.....you can FEEL them under your layers to line up you next layer exactly. Edit ~ If it matters, I machine quilt, so my basting is closed pins. From this you will have the whole center of your quilt basted, no matter what size. You then unclip the tablecloth clips and carefully move the quilt to the next section to baste. I would lift my layers and tablecloth clip the bottom first, then batting then top to make sure I didn't have any wrinkles. It may not be the answer for everyone, but for me it works since I have no large area of uncarpeted floor, and my only other option was the driveway.
That sounds like a good idea. I don't know if I will do that, but it does sound like a good way to get a quilt basted without spending hours on the floor.
Oh my word that is just breathe taking what a wonderful job.. you will make that young man one happy camper.
I've never basted with pins, but with needle and thread. I'd drive me crazy to have to stop and remove pins as I go!
I am binding the quilt now and will try to post a picture when it is all done. I rented a long arm to quilt it and my quilting is a little crazy and random and I tried some different things here and there. I even did his name in a couple of inconspicuous places. I think I will do more hand quilting as the years go by and machine quilting at home for small ones. Renting the long arms are expensive. Not nearly as expensive as having one quilted for you but expensive enough. I could buy more fabric with that money.
Wopw!Wow! Wow! I love it!!! Last New Year's I promised myself that I would start quilting this year. So far I've onlyy looked at books. But I plan to go out on Sunday to buy supplies and materials. I figure once I have material, I'll definitely get started. Inspiring photos like this one are very helpful to push me along...maybe some day I'll be able to make one one quarter as nice as this one!!!! Great job!
