So, you’ve made a quilt top. Now what? We’ve got the basics for how to sandwich quilt layers and some tips and ideas to help you finish your quilts. This is one of the steps in the quilting process.
The basics. A quilt is made of three layers. The top layer can be a single piece of fabric, also referred to as a whole cloth quilt, sewn-together quilt blocks or a pieced quilt top. There is a piece of fabric for the back, which again can be a single piece of fabric, or pieced.
The third layer is the sandwich filling or the middle layer, which is batting, also referred to as watting. For the middle layer, for a lightweight bed quilt, you can use a piece of muslin or flannel. There also are wool battings which are great for a warmer quilt. If you are making an art quilt or wall hanging quilt, felt is a great option for the middle of your piece. For more information on batting, see our article How to Choose Batting for your Quilt.
There are different ways to hold together your quilt sandwich for quilting by domestic machine or by hand. For all of them, you’ll want a large flat surface. The most common basting methods are pin basting, thread basting, spray basting and using double sided fusible batting.
For larger quilts, you’ll need a large table. I have two 4-foot x 8-foot tables pushed together – a nice large workspace. Or, you can clear a space on your floor! Most importantly, you want a smooth surface for putting together your quilt sandwiches.
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How to Sandwich Quilt Layers Together for Quilting
Learn the basic steps to sandwich the layers of a quilt together for quilting.
My preferred method is the pin basting method for the layering process.
Materials
- Quilt top finished
- Quilt backing fabric, cut at least 4 inches larger than your quilt top
- Batting, cut about 1 inch smaller than your backing fabric
Tools
- Painters tape
- Safety pins, also referred to as basting pins
- Iron
- Pressing surface
Instructions
- Before starting, make sure to press your quilt top, quilt backing fabric, and your batting. Starting with everything nice and flat will make it easier right from the start. The goal of picking a method for sandwiching your quilt is to have all three layers flat so that you can quilt them together without any puckers or wrinkles.
Place your quilt back with the right side to your table, wrong side up. Use painter's tape to secure it flat to your table. This will make it easier to get the batting flat, while keeping the backing flat. This piece is about 45" square so I've taped it on the corners and a few times on each side. - Next step, lay your batting on top of your backing fabric. Make sure it is nice and flat. It will 'stick' and grab to your backing fabric.
- Then, lay the right side of the quilt top on top of the batting for your quilt sandwich. If you have a large quilt, it helps to have two people. Or, you can roll your quilt top onto the batting. It's important to not let the batting shift. If you'd like you can add more painter's tape. I find that if I'm careful, I can get it good and flat.
- Next, you need to secure all three layers. There are several ways to do this. I prefer to use safety pins. You can buy specialty curved safety pins, especially for quilting. See below for more information about spray basting and hand basting.
For using safety pins, you want to pin through all three layers about 4-5 inches apart. A good rule of thumb is about a hands width apart. This will keep your quilt layers from shifting while you are quilting. - Here is my quilt sandwich all pinned and ready for quilting. This is a whole cloth quilt that will be embellished after quilting. Now it is ready for me to go to my sewing machine and start stitching!
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Tips and ideas for sandwiching your quilts
- If your quilt is quite large, you can find specialty wide fabrics that are 108-inches wide, made for quilt backs. You can find the wide fabrics at most local quilt shops.
- I use painter’s tape to secure the back of the quilt to the table. I prefer it to regular masking tape that can leave a residue on your fabric.
- Hand-basting a quilt is an option, too. This is also referred to as thread basting. I use hand-basting if I’m working on a smaller quilt with fabrics that tend to slip around, like silks or rayons. To hand-baste a quilt, you layer your backing, batting and top just like above. Then thread a needle with a single layer of thread and sew a long straight stitches. I like to start with the horizontal and vertical centers of the quilt, and then work out. Just like above, make sure your stitching lines are about 4-5 inches apart. You can quilt right over the basting stitches and remove them after your quilt is quilted.
- Spray basting is used by many quilters. To spray baste, you are adding a layer of temporary adhesive spraybetween the backing and quilt batting, and again between the batting and quilt top. You MUST work in a well-ventilated area. For basting spray, lay your quilt back with the wrong side up and spray. Then lay your batting down flat. Spray another layer of the specialty spray glue. And then lay your quilt top on top of the batting.
- Another method to sandwich quilt layers is to use double sided fusible batting in the middle of their quilts. Layer the fusible batting between the quilt back and quilt top and press to secure all three layers together on your ironing board.
Once your quilt is sandwiched, you are ready for machine quilting or hand quilting. Try big stitch quilting for large stitches that show on your quilt top.
When your quilt is finished quilting, it’s time to finish the edge with either a binding or a facing.
Browse through more quilt tutorials on Create Whimsy. See our article on How to Choose Batting for a Quilt.


