1. Backing Fabric Preparation

First and foremost, the backing fabric plays a critical role in the overall quilting process. The backing needs to be both large enough and as square as possible. You should aim for the backing fabric to extend 4 to 6 inches longer on all sides than the quilt top. This extra fabric allows for adjustments during the quilting process and ensures that the quilt can be properly loaded onto the machine.

Please make sure that the backing fabric is pressed thoroughly. Any wrinkles, creases, or folds can cause issues when the quilt is stitched, leading to a less than optimal finished quilt. A well-pressed backing fabric helps avoid problems during the quilting process.

2. Choosing the Right Fabric for the Backing

When selecting a backing fabric, one option that you may consider is using a flat sheet. If you do choose a sheet for your quilt backing, make sure to select one with a low thread count. High-thread-count sheets, while smooth and luxurious, can be problematic on a longarm machine. They are tightly woven, which may cause issues with needle penetration. This can result in skipped stitches, thread breakage, and overall difficulties during quilting. Therefore, for the smoothest quilting experience, a low-thread-count sheet or fabric designed specifically for quilting is ideal.

The same problems can also occur when using batiks for backing. For this reason, I don’t recommend using a batik fabric for your backing fabric. If you really want to use a batik, make sure to prewash it, as this will help to soften the material.

3. Labeling the Quilt Top and Back

An often-overlooked but extremely important step in preparing your quilt is labeling the quilt top and backing. It’s essential to mark the top side of your quilt so that the quilting is done in the preferred direction of the fabric. This is especially important if your fabric has a directional print or pattern. Use a safety pin to attach a note marked “TOP” to both the quilt top and the backing fabric. This simple step helps prevent any confusion during the quilting process, ensuring that your quilt is quilted in the correct orientation.

4. Matching Thread Colors

Another helpful tip when preparing your quilt is to consider the color of the thread you want for the quilting. I use the same color thread for both the top and bobbin. If you use two very different colors for the top and bobbin threads, there is a chance that the bobbin thread will show through the quilt top, creating what is commonly referred to as “pokies.” These are visible spots where the bobbin thread shows through to the front of the quilt, or vice versa, with the “pokies” occurring on the back, detracting from the quilt’s appearance. To minimize this, select a backing that will not show the quilting thread, like a busy print, or go with a solid and the quilting will create a whole cloth effect on the back. 

5. Seaming the Backing Fabric

If your quilt backing requires seaming, it is best to run the seams horizontally, if at all possible. This allows the quilt to advance more evenly on the rollers of the longarm machine during the quilting process. 

6. Avoiding Selvage Cutting

Another important tip is to avoid cutting off the selvages from the top and bottom of the backing fabric. Many quilters make the mistake of trimming the selvages away, but in this case, leaving them intact can be beneficial. The selvages provide a more stable edge to pin to the leaders, the fabric that attaches the quilt to the frame. Cutting them off can make the edges less stable, which may lead to the quilt backing shifting or puckering.

7. Minimizing Pieced Backing Issues

While some quilters enjoy piecing their own backing fabric, it’s important to understand the potential downsides. The more seams you introduce into the backing, the more likely the quilt will become pleated or tucked during the quilting process. This can cause difficulties as the quilt moves through the machine, resulting in unwanted creases or folds. Moreover, piecing the backing can complicate the centering of the quilt top on the backing fabric, especially on a longarm machine.

One of the challenges with pieced backing is that it’s very difficult to predict how much shrinkage will occur during the quilting process. As a result, it’s nearly impossible to guarantee that the quilt top will be perfectly centered on the backing once it’s finished quilting. While I will do my best to center the quilt top, I can’t promise it will be absolutely exact due to the variables involved in longarm quilting.

8. Additional Tips for Quilting Success

If you prewash your top fabric, make sure to also prewash your backing fabric. Also, it’s always a good idea to double-check your backing fabric for any imperfections or flaws before sending it to your quilter. Inspect these fabric for any holes, stains, or other issues that may cause problems later. It’s far easier to address these issues before your top is quilted than to deal with them after the quilting is completed.