How to Bar Tack a Quilt
Quilts are comprised of three layers, like a sandwich--a top layer of fabric which contains the design, a middle layer of batting, and a backing fabric. These layers need to be held together throughout the quilt to prevent shifting of the batting during use. Bar tacking of a quilt is an easy and quick method of attaching the three layers of a quilt together, especially if you don't intend to quilt the top. The tacking process is most commonly done with a sewing machine.
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Things You'll Need
- Marking pencil
- See-through ruler
- Thread
- Optional quilter's safety pins
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
Instructions
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1
Mark on the top of the quilt the placement of the bar tacks, using the guidelines provided by the manufacturer for the batting you are working with. Placement is usually from 4 to 8 inches apart. Use a see-through ruler to obtain the correct amount of inches between tacks.
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2
Baste the three layers of the quilt together, either using a loose basting stitch, or using quilter's safety pins.
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3
Start at the center of the quilt and work out toward the edge, working on a quarter of the quilt at a time. Use the bar tack setting on your machine. If your machine doesn't have a bar tack, set the stitch length and width to 0. Take a few stitches, then increase the width to the widest setting. Take about 8 stitches and return the width to 0 to finish the tack. Do not clip the threads.
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4
Raise the pressure foot on the machine, and move the quilt to the next tack mark. Keep going until you finish the entire quilt.
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5
Spread the finished quilt on a table. Clip the threads on both sides.
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References
- Photo Credit Ableimages/Photodisc/Getty Images
