QUILTsocial Issue 5 | Page 54

Ready to quilt the Pockets full of blessings It's always so satisfying when you've finished a quilt top -- like reaching the finish line of a long race. Let's make a quilt sandwich and use some decorative machine stitches then we'll be ready to quilt Pockets Full of Blessings wall quilt. Press the backing fabrics with lots of steam and, if necessary, an ironing product like Dylon Easy Iron. It helps get wrinkles out and tackles tough creases, without adding any residue. A smooth backing will ensure there are no puckers or pulls when machine quilting. Lay the pressed backing fabric with the wrong side facing up. Making a quilt sandwich that's basted together with a light spray of 505. Smooth out the quilt batting onto the backing fabric. Use your hand to smooth out the batting as much as possible. There should be a bit extra batting, so it's okay if the batting isn't even with the backing. You'll be trimming it even later in the process. Place the quilt top right side up and even with the backing and the batting. Pin the corners with safety pins to prevent any surprise shifting while machine quilting. At this point, I steam the sandwich a bit, and smooth it out to make sure the batting is as even as I can make it. Once it cools, I spray a bit of 505 Fabric Adhesive to keep the sandwich layers t