{"id":3737,"date":"2017-11-29T19:42:50","date_gmt":"2017-11-30T03:42:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/?p=3737"},"modified":"2017-11-30T19:27:03","modified_gmt":"2017-12-01T03:27:03","slug":"attach-quilt-sleeve-entirely-by-machine-other-finishing-techniques-2017-11-29","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/2017\/11\/29\/attach-quilt-sleeve-entirely-by-machine-other-finishing-techniques-2017-11-29\/","title":{"rendered":"Attach quilt sleeve entirely by machine & other finishing techniques – 2017.11.29"},"content":{"rendered":"

My favorite parts of making art quilts are the design process, selecting the fabrics and constructing the quilt top.<\/p>\n

My least favorite parts are the finishing<\/strong> – burying threads, applying facings, and attaching the hanging sleeve and label.\u00a0 By the time I get to the finishing stage, I’m eager to start on the next quilt project, so a quick and efficient method of finishing quilts is right up my alley.<\/p>\n

Over the past few months, I’ve developed a variety of methods to speed up the finishing process.<\/p>\n

1. Fuse the backing fabric after quilting is completed<\/strong><\/p>\n

Recently for my art quilts, I’ve been constructing them differently than more traditional quilts.\u00a0 Instead of quilting through all the layers, I’ve been doing all the quilting before adding the backing fabric. (Note: do not use this method if you are planning to submit your quilt to a show that requires the quilting stitches to be visible on the back.\u00a0 Many juried shows no longer have this requirement for art quilts, but still do for traditional and modern quilts.)<\/p>\n

This technique allows me to easily add additional quilting at any time, without any concern of how messy it might look on the back.\u00a0 It also eliminates the need to bury all of the thread ends. When I’m finished quilting, I fuse the backing fabric in place, catching all the thread ends.<\/p>\n

I used this method for ‘Bridge of Many Colors<\/a>‘, ‘Into the Arctic Wilderness<\/a>‘ and ‘W and the 3 Bridges<\/a>‘.\u00a0 If you click on the links, you can see photos of the back of these quilts before I fused on the backing fabric.\u00a0 (And it just occurred to me that I used the same technique in 2014 for ‘Baby<\/a>‘ because I needed different quilting on the front and on the back.)<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2. Attach the hanging sleeve and label entirely by machine<\/strong><\/p>\n

It occurred to me that if I am fusing the backing fabric after all the quilting is completed, I should be able to attach the sleeve and label by machine to the backing before fusing it onto the quilt.\u00a0 After a little thought and experimentation, I have a technique I’m happy with.\u00a0 (Note: a machine-applied sleeve would be difficult to remove later.\u00a0 If a different size sleeve or different spacing from the top edge was required for a specific show, I would just hand-sew a temporary sleeve over this one.)<\/p>\n

These are the steps I followed for a recently finished art quilt (not yet revealed to the public).\u00a0 The art quilt is 16″ wide, and requires a 2″ finished sleeve, positioned 1″ from each side edge, and 1″ from the top edge.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. I cut the backing fabric to the size of the finished quilt – 16″ x 16″ – without any seam allowance, because the facings will cover the raw edges.<\/li>\n
  2. The finished size of the sleeve is 14″ long by 2\u201d high, so I cut the sleeve fabric to 15″ x 5.25\u201d.<\/li>\n
  3. Turn ends in \u00bc\u201d and then \u00bc\u201d again. Sew close to folded edges.<\/li>\n
  4. Press sleeve lengthwise, so one section is \u00bd\u201d deeper than the other.<\/li>\n
  5. Position the sleeve on the back so it is \u00be\u201d from the top edge, and 1\u201d from the side edges (photo 1).<\/li>\n
  6. Stitch around the top section as shown in red in photo 2<\/li>\n
  7. Fold the bottom edge up to meet the top edge as in photo 3 (there will be a gap to accommodate a hanging rod)<\/li>\n
  8. Sew the top edges through all 3 layers as shown in red in photo 4.<\/li>\n
  9. The sleeve should look like photo 5. I like my sleeves to be a bit deeper than required, so made it 2 \u00bc\u201d rather than the required 2\u201d<\/li>\n
  10. The top facing will cover the top \u00bc\u2019 of the sleeve. The side facings will butt up to the side edges of the sleeve.<\/li>\n
  11. At this point, you could also machine stitch the label in place.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    3. Fuse the edges of the facings to the back of the quilt<\/strong><\/p>\n

    I’ve also started fusing the edges of the facings to the back of the quilt, instead of hand-sewing them.\u00a0 (See the post about ‘W and the 3 Bridges<\/a>‘ for photos of how I do this).\u00a0 This is much easier than hand-sewing through a fused backing fabric, and is much quicker.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    So there you have it, my three techniques to speed up the finishing process.\u00a0 I hope that all makes sense.\u00a0 If not, please post a comment and I’ll do my best to answer any questions.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Thanks for stopping by.\u00a0 Today, I\u2019m linking up with these blogs \u2013 click on the links below, where you\u2019ll find many other creative and inspirational projects.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 \"Esther\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/a>\"Sew<\/a>\u00a0 \"grab<\/a><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    My favorite parts of making art quilts are the design process, selecting the fabrics and constructing the quilt top. My least favorite parts are the finishing – burying threads, applying facings, and attaching the hanging sleeve and label.\u00a0 By the … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[5,38,3],"tags":[14,34,67],"class_list":["post-3737","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-art-quilts","category-tutorial-2","category-wip-wednesday","tag-art-quilt","tag-tutorial","tag-wip-wednesday"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2SZWx-Yh","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1896,"url":"https:\/\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/2014\/03\/19\/on-my-design-wall-2014-03-19\/","url_meta":{"origin":3737,"position":0},"title":"On my design wall – 2014.03.19","author":"TerryAske","date":"March 19, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Another circle quilt - this one is for the SAQA 2014 Auction.\u00a0 Each SAQA member can submit one 12 x 12 inch art quilt.\u00a0 The quilts are posted on the SAQA website, and auctioned off in September.\u00a0 The funds are used to support SAQA's very active exhibition program. I started\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Art quilts"","block_context":{"text":"Art quilts","link":"https:\/\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/category\/art-quilts\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"TerryAske_ModernCircles3","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/TerryAske_ModernCircles3-1005x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/TerryAske_ModernCircles3-1005x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/TerryAske_ModernCircles3-1005x1024.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5997,"url":"https:\/\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/2019\/07\/10\/progress-on-succulents-quilt-2019-07-10\/","url_meta":{"origin":3737,"position":1},"title":"Progress on Succulents quilt – 2019.07.10","author":"TerryAske","date":"July 10, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"In my last post, I talked about how I'm constructing my new Succulents quilt. 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I will work to the point where I can take photos to submit an entry, then move onto the next project. This means the facings are just pinned to the back of the quilt, and there is no\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Art quilts"","block_context":{"text":"Art quilts","link":"https:\/\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/category\/art-quilts\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/quilts-to-be-finished-2.jpeg?fit=1199%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/quilts-to-be-finished-2.jpeg?fit=1199%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/quilts-to-be-finished-2.jpeg?fit=1199%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/quilts-to-be-finished-2.jpeg?fit=1199%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/quilts-to-be-finished-2.jpeg?fit=1199%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3396,"url":"https:\/\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/2016\/05\/25\/a-new-circle-quilt-2016-05-25\/","url_meta":{"origin":3737,"position":3},"title":"A new circle quilt – 2016.05.25","author":"TerryAske","date":"May 25, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"After a couple of false starts (here and here), and receiving my order of black fabric to add to my collection of Riley Blake solids, I started a new entry to the MQG Sashing Stash fabric challenge.\u00a0 I reverted to one of my favorite design elements - the circle! \u00a0\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Art quilts"","block_context":{"text":"Art quilts","link":"https:\/\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/category\/art-quilts\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"TerryAske-before quilting","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/TerryAske-before-quilting-1024x987.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/TerryAske-before-quilting-1024x987.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/TerryAske-before-quilting-1024x987.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":492,"url":"https:\/\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/2012\/11\/28\/on-my-design-wall-10\/","url_meta":{"origin":3737,"position":4},"title":"On my design wall","author":"TerryAske","date":"November 28, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"I got a lot done this week. To see my progress on the tree quilt, click here. I finished my entry to the Cloth Paper Scissors reader challenge - Art Supply Doodle.\u00a0 I 'doodled' with thread on fabric.\u00a0 Here's my entry, and its inspiration. \u00a0 I'm working on my entry\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Art quilts"","block_context":{"text":"Art quilts","link":"https:\/\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/category\/art-quilts\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/11\/DSCN0094-256x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1536,"url":"https:\/\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/2013\/10\/30\/on-my-design-wall-2013-10-30\/","url_meta":{"origin":3737,"position":5},"title":"On my design wall – 2013.10.30","author":"TerryAske","date":"October 30, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"The portrait quilt is nearly finished. \u00a0 Since I posted about it last week, I added features to\u00a0 the third face, fused it all together, and quilted it. \u00a0 Just the final touches to complete - quilting the border, binding, sleeve and label - then it will be off to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Art quilts"","block_context":{"text":"Art quilts","link":"https:\/\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/category\/art-quilts\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"TerryAske-portrait quilted","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/TerryAske-portrait-quilted-293x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3737","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3737"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3737\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4300,"href":"https:\/\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3737\/revisions\/4300"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3737"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3737"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.terryaskeartquilts.com\/Studio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3737"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}