How to Add Batting and Backing to Your Quilt for a Smooth and Comfortable Finish

A Comprehensive Guide to Adding Batting and Backing to Your Quilt

So you’ve put in all the time and effort sewing your quilt top together, now comes an important next step – adding the batting and backing to give your quilt that cozy three-dimensional feel. This guide will walk you through the full process, covering batting and backing fabric selection, preparing and assembling the quilt sandwich, basting, quilting, and binding. Let’s get started!

Choosing the Right Batting

1. Fiberfill or quilter’s cotton – These are often the most affordable batting options. Fiberfill is polyester and lightweight, while quilter’s cotton uses cotton fibers but is denser. Both work well for smaller quilts but may require more quilting to prevent bunching.
2. Wool – Wool batting is naturally thermal and breathable. It tends to be thicker than polyester or cotton batting. Wool felts over time giving quilts a cozy “broken in” feel. However, wool can be more expensive.
3. Bamboo or soy fiber – Battings made from renewable plant fibers like bamboo and soy offer a sustainable alternative. They have a soft handfeel similar to wool but are usually less expensive. Bamboo and soy fibers are also hypoallergenic.

Factors like quilt size, intended use, and personal preference will help determine which batting is best for your project. Many quilters like to test different battings in sample swatches before committing to a bulk purchase.

Selecting Backing Fabric

For backing, look for a fabric that is:

1. At least 2 inches wider than the quilt top on all sides to allow for trimming and overhang during quilting and binding.
2. At least 1-2 yards longer than the finished quilt length to ensure enough coverage and reduce seaming.
3. Washable for frequent launderings – a quilted blanket sees a lot of use!
4. Easy to work with – a mid-weight cotton or cotton blend typically pieces and presses well.

Solids, tone-on-tones and small prints work fine, but avoid highly patterned fabrics that could show through the quilting. For ease of sewing, matching prints is not recommended.

Preparing the Quilt Sandwich

Now comes the fun part – assembling all your fabric layers! Lay the quilt batting out smooth side down. Top with the quilt backing right side facing up, smoothing any wrinkles. Then place the quilt top right side facing down on top.

The goal is to get perfect alignment so layers don’t shift during quilting. Use quilter’s pins or masking tape every 6-8 inches around the perimeter to hold everything securely in place without bunching. Check for gaps or folds that need pressing before proceeding.

Basting the Quilt Layers

Basting keeps the quilt layers from slipping during machine or hand quilting. Some options:

1. Spray basting – Hold the can 6-12 inches away and mist lightly between layers. Let dry before quilting.
2. Thread basting – Hand stitch long running stitches 6-8 inches apart through all 3 layers.
3. Basting safety pins – Place pins vertically 1-2 inches apart through all layers.

Avoid quilt binding pins that may rust or damage fabrics. Take time for even basting – it ensures stress-free quilting!

Quilting Your Batted Quilt

Now for the fun part – all that hard work leads to creative self-expression through quilting designs! Options include freehand quilting, quilting by hand, home machine quilting, or sending it out for a longarm quilter. Consider the quilt’s intended use and your skill level.

Proper techniques like using an ergonomic posture and taking breaks keep you quilting for many projects to come. Make it memorable with personalized messages and personalized touches throughout. Quilting adds structure, depth and your own artistic flair.

Finishing Touches – Trimming and Binding

Almost done! Trim excess batting and backing from the quilt edges using a rotary cutter and ruler for straight, even cuts.

Finally, add the binding. Fold the binding strip in half lengthwise and sew it to the front of the quilt a 1/4″ from the edge. Miter the corners. Fold the binding to the back and stitch it down by hand or machine.

With binding attached, your quilt is ready for cuddling, gifting or displaying! Admire your hard work – you’ve transformed separate quilt layers into a cozy, lasting masterpiece.

I hope this guide gave you all the information needed to successfully add batting and backing to your quilt. Let me know if any part of the process needs further explanation! Happy quilting.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Batting and Backing for Your Quilt

FAQ

1. What is batting in quilting?

   Batting is the filling or padding that goes between the top and backing of a quilt. It gives the quilt extra fluffiness and warmth. Common batting materials include cotton, polyester, and wool.

   

2. What is backing in quilting?

   The backing is basically the reverse side material of a quilt. It covers the back and sides of the batting. Quilt backings are usually made of cotton or polyester fabrics. The backing helps keep all the quilt layers together and looking tidy on the underside.

3. How do I prepare the batting and backing?

   To get ready to add the batting and backing, you’ll need to cut them to the same size as your quilt top, with roughly an extra 3 inches on each side to turn under and hide the raw edges later. Shake or fluff up the batting material first so it isn’t super compressed. For the backing, press out any wrinkles so it lies flat.

4. What’s the best way to attach the batting?

   A super easy trick is to spray the wrong side of the quilt top lightly with temporary quilt basting spray. Then smooth the batting on top and smooth from the center outwards to remove any air bubbles or folds. The spray will kind of “glue” it in place while you work. Another option is to pin baste it with safety pins placed a few inches apart.

5. How do I attach the backing fabric?

   On a large clean surface, place the quilt top with batting facing up. Then lay the backing material wrong side down on top so the rights sides are together. Starting from the center and working outward, pin or spray baste the backing and top layers together all around, being careful not to pierce the batting layer from below.

6. How securely should the layers be attached?

   For a normal quilt, pin or spray basting the layers is usually quite secure enough to allow for quilting. However, if you’ll be washing and heavily using the finished quilt, you may want to add some extra safety by slip-stitching around the outer edges by hand with needle and thread before quilting the layers together. This will prevent any shifting of the pieces over time and repeated washings.

   

7. Should I put anything between the back and batting?

   Perhaps, some quilters choose to include a quilt lining fabric between the backing and batting. It provides an extra layer for snuggliness. Appears some think it improves the longevity and look of the finished project too. But unfortunately it also adds bulk, so it’s not totally necessary. In the end, it’s up to your personal preferences and the purpose of the specific quilt.