How to Use a Quilting Frame

The key to a good finished product in hand quilting is maintaining the right amount of tension in the layers of fabric that make up your quilt. A solution that has long been the standard is the use of a quilting frame. By stretching the layers of backing, batting and quilt top between the two bars of a quilting frame, your hand work or basting can be neatly done.

Things You'll Need

• Thread
• Quilt backing
• Hand needle, sharp and of the proper gauge for the material being sewn
• Quilting frame
• Batting
• Quilt top

Instructions

1. Prepare your project by tracing your quilting pattern onto your quilt top or backing. These lines will help guide your stitching and should be visible from the top of the quilting frame once the project is loaded.

2. Look for a quilting frame with three poles to eliminate the basting step required in most hand or machine-quilting projects. With this kind of frame, the batting and fabric are loaded onto two separate rails. The layers are quilted together and loaded onto a third rail which maintains tension throughout the project.

3. Know that you have a couple of options in frames with regards to tension. Either a ratchet system may be used, where evenly spaced teeth are used to adjust the tension with stoppers, or a friction lock system may also be used. The friction lock system is infinitely more adjustable since fingerbolts are used to adjust the tension--however, this system is less user-friendly for single person quilting projects.

4. Load the quilt layers onto the quilting frame. It is essential that all layers are perfectly aligned so that the finished project will hang properly. Work from the center outward to ensure that your quilt layers are smooth.

5. Make sure that your quilting design aligns properly with the front of the frame. This will help you keep your stitching in line as well as maintain the proper tension throughout the project.

Tips & Warnings

• When purchasing your quilting frame consider where it will be stored when not in use. Remember that hand quilting projects can be very time consuming and if your living room is your quilt workshop, you may wish to purchase a less functional but more attractive model.