How to Make a Quilting Rack for Large Quilts

A quilting rack helps produce large quilts.

Making a large quilt can be a challenge. It’s easy to lose sight of the developing pattern, because of the sheer volume of fabric involved. It’s also difficult to maintain a consistent tension when sewing the patches, with some puckering or others sewn too loose. A quilting rack or frame can help overcome these issues. It can keep the fabric taut and smooth -- allowing the quilter to monitor the quilt’s progress. This frame is easy to dismantle and store.

Things You'll Need

• Four planks of wood
• Sandpaper
• Saw
• Four "C" clamps
• Four chairs
• Thumbtacks
• Twine

Instructions

1. Saw two planks of wood to the length of the proposed quilt. Cut two other pieces to match the width.

2. Sand the wood until it is smooth and splinter-free.

3. Lay the two long planks parallel to each other on the floor. Place the shorter pieces at either end, forming a rectangle. Fix the corners of the rectangle together with the "C" clamps.

4. Rest each corner of the rack on the top of the back of a chair. Secure in place with strong twine.

5. Fasten the quilt fabric to the rack with thumbtacks.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a flat-backed chair to provide optimum support to the frame.

• Ensure each chair is the same height.

• The width of the frame’s wood is optional, but the longer the plank, the thicker the wood should be in order to produce a strong rack.

References

• Threads Magazine: Quilt it Freehand
• Kath Kwilts.com: Floor Frame Instructions