Mastering the Art of Quilting: How to Perfectly Face Your Quilt

AvatarByJill Nammar Quiting

Do you have a beautiful quilt that you’ve been meaning to display in your home, but are unsure of how to properly present it? Or perhaps you’re a seasoned quilter looking for tips on how to effectively face your creations? Whatever your quilting experience may be, learning how to face a quilt can be both an exciting and daunting task. In this article, we’ll explore the basics of quilt facing and provide helpful tips for achieving a polished and professional finish. Whether you’re a novice or an expert in the world of quilting, this guide is sure to inspire and guide you as you embark on this next stitching adventure. So grab your fabric scraps and thread, and let’s dive into the art of facing a quilt!

A quilt is a beautiful and versatile piece of fabric that can be used for both decorative and practical purposes. Whether you have inherited a family heirloom or recently bought one, knowing how to properly face a quilt is essential to maintaining its beauty and prolonging its lifespan. In this guide, we will take you through the step-by-step process of facing a quilt, providing expert tips and techniques along the way.

What Does it Mean to Face a Quilt?

Facing a quilt is essentially the process of adding a border around the edges of the quilt top, backing, and batting layers. This border helps keep the edges neat and tidy while also providing extra durability to prevent fraying. By facing your quilt, you are creating a clean finish that also adds structural integrity to your piece.

Why Face a Quilt?

Facing your quilt has several benefits that go beyond just aesthetics. Firstly, it helps keep your quilt in good condition by preventing fraying at the edges. This is especially important if you plan on using your quilt regularly or even washing it. Secondly, facing gives you more control over how your final product looks by allowing you to choose the color and pattern of the facing fabric. It can also be used as an opportunity to add some design elements or personalization to your quilt. Lastly, facing can make it easier to hang your quilt for display without distracting from its overall appearance.

Materials Needed for Facing a Quilt

– Facing fabric (cotton or muslin)
– Scissors
– Thread
– Sewing machine
– Pins
– Iron
– Measuring tape
– Water-soluble marking pen

Step-by-Step Guide: How To Face A Quilt

Step 1: Measure and Cut Your Facing Fabric

The first step in facing a quilt is to measure and cut your facing fabric. This fabric will be used as a border around the edges of your quilt top. Measure the length and width of your quilt top and add an extra inch on each side to allow for seam allowance. Feel free to use a different fabric than what you used for the backing or quilt top, as long as the colors and patterns go well together.

Step 2: Sew the Facing Fabric

Next, sew the two short sides of your facing fabric together, right sides facing each other. This will create a continuous loop of fabric that will wrap around all four edges of your quilt top.

Step 3: Pin and Sew Facing Fabric to Quilt

Lay out your quilt top with the right side facing up. Place your facing fabric around the edges, aligning it with the raw edges of the quilt. Pin in place, making sure to leave an inch on each end for seam allowance.

Using a ¼ inch seam allowance, sew along all four sides, attaching the facing fabric to your quilt top. Leave a small gap open at one end so you can turn everything inside out later.

Step 4: Trim and Turn Inside Out

Once you have sewn all four sides, trim off any excess fabric from the corners and turn everything inside out through the gap that was left open earlier. Use a chopstick or knitting needle to push out all corners for a crisp finish.

Step 5: Iron and Topstitch

Iron along all four edges to get them crisp and flat. Then fold inwards along the open gap you left earlier and pin in place. Use a sewing machine to close this gap by stitching it shut with a topstitch along all four sides of your quilt.

Congratulations! You have successfully faced your quilt!

Care Tips for Faced Quilts

Faced quilts are beautiful but delicate creations that require special care to maintain their appearance. Here are a few tips to help you keep your quilt looking fresh and beautiful for years to come:

– Avoid washing your quilt too frequently as it can cause the facing fabric to wear out faster.
– If you need to wash your quilt, make sure to do it on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent.
– Hang your quilt for display with a sturdy rod or dowel and avoid using clothespins as they can cause damage.
– If you need to store your quilt, make sure it is clean and dry. Folding the quilt instead of hanging it may cause creases and wrinkles in the facing fabric. In this case, consider rolling it instead.

Knowing how to properly face a quilt is essential for any quilt lover. Not only does it add strength and durability, but it also allows for more design options and helps keep your quilt looking pristine for years to come. With the step-by-step guide provided above, you can now confidently add this final touch to your quilting project and showcase your beautiful creation for all to admire. Happy quilting!

The Importance of Properly Facing a Quilt

Facing a quilt, also known as binding, is the final step in completing a quilt. It involves attaching a layer of fabric to the edges of the quilt top to encase and secure all of the raw edges. While it may seem like a small task, properly facing a quilt is crucial for both the aesthetics and structural integrity of the quilt.

First and foremost, facing a quilt helps to give it clean, crisp edges. This adds to the overall polished look of the quilt and makes it visually appealing. It also allows for a professional finish and prevents any fraying or unraveling of raw edges. Additionally, without proper facing, quilt batting or filling can shift around over time, causing an uneven and unattractive appearance.

Moreover, facing also plays an important role in protecting the raw edges from wear and tear. As quilts are often used as functional items such as bedding or wall hangings, they are subject to regular handling which can cause wear on the edges. By facing the quilt, these vulnerable areas are reinforced and protected from damage.

Another key reason for properly facing a quilt is to ensure its longevity. Quilts are often cherished family heirlooms that are passed down through generations. By properly finishing its edges with a faced binding, you are not only preserving its appearance but also increasing its durability so that it can be enjoyed for years to come.

Materials Needed for Facing a Quilt

Before beginning the process of facing a quilt, make sure you have all the necessary materials on hand:

1. Fabric for Facing – Choose high-quality fabric that complements or coordinates with your quilt top.
2. Sewing Machine – A sewing machine with basic straight stitch capabilities will suffice.
3. Thread – Use thread that matches your fabric choice.
4. Ruler – A clear acrylic ruler is recommended for measuring and marking.
5. Rotary Cutter and Cutting Mat – These tools make the process of trimming the edges much easier.
6. Pins – Fine pins with heads small enough to keep out of the way of your sewing machine needle.
7. Hand Sewing Needle – For hand finishing the corners.
8. Iron and Ironing Board – These are essential for pressing and setting seams.

Steps for Facing a Quilt

Step 1: Measure and Trim Quilt Edges
Before attaching facing, make sure all edges of your quilt are even and squared off. Use a ruler and rotary cutter to trim any uneven or excess fabric.

Step 2: Cut Facing Fabric
Using the measurements of your trimmed quilt, cut strips of facing fabric about 2.5 inches wide for quilts with straight edges or wider strips for quilts with curved edges. Depending on how much excess is left on each side, you may need to piece together multiple strips to create a long enough piece.

Step 3: Sew Multiple Strips Together (If needed)
If you need to piece together multiple strips of facing fabric, take two ends that you want to join together and place them right sides together at a 90-degree angle. Pin in place and sew from corner to corner using a diagonal seam. Press open the seam allowances.

Step 4: Attach Facing Strips to Quilt Top
Take one end of your first strip of facing fabric (or joined strips) and line it up with one side edge of your quilt top, right sides together. Pin in place then start sewing at least a quarter inch away from the edge using a standard seam allowance (usually ¼ inch). Stop when you reach the corner, backstitch then remove your quilt from the machine.

Step 5: Mitered Corner
To create an attractive mitered corner, fold down the facing fabric at a 45-degree angle, aligning the raw edge with the next side of your quilt. Fold it back again in line with that side, so you have a diagonal fold running from the corner of your quilt to the corner of the facing fabric. This should create a neat and precise point at the corner.

Step 6: Continue Facing
Complete all four corners in this way, then continue attaching the facing strips along each side with mitered corners until you reach where you began. Cut off any excess facing fabric and join up your facing strips as necessary.

Step 7: Finish and Turn Facing
After sewing all sides, leave about six inches open on one side. This gap is where you will use your hand-sewing needle to finish off your facing. First, snip any tight curves so that they lay flat when turned right-side out. Next, gradually ease the quilt edges over towards what will be their final position and push out each finished corner with a blunt tool or chopstick.

Step 8: Press and Secure Facing
Press all areas of your quilt face very well using steam for best results. Turn over and tuck in raw edges to create a clean finish on both sides (top/bottom). Press once more

1. How do I prepare a quilt for facing?
To prepare a quilt for facing, first trim the outside edges of the quilt layers to ensure they are even and straight. Then, baste or pin the layers together to secure them in place. Finally, press the edges to remove any wrinkles or creases.

2. What is the purpose of facing a quilt?
Facing a quilt creates a clean and polished edge finish without adding bulk like traditional binding. It is also useful for quilts with curved or irregular edges.

3. Which type of fabric should I use for facing a quilt?
For best results, choose a fabric that matches or complements the outer edge of your quilt top. Light to medium weight woven cotton fabrics work well and are easy to work with.

4. How do I attach the facing to my quilt?
After preparing your facing fabric, carefully pin it onto your quilt, aligning raw edges. Machine stitch around the outside edge, leaving an opening for turning. Clip corners and curves before turning out. Press the edge again before hand-stitching or machine stitching closed.

5. Are there any special techniques for sewing curved edges when facing a quilt?
It is recommended to use plenty of pins when sewing curved edges to ensure they remain in place while stitching. You may also need to make small snips along the seam allowance in order to get smooth curves.

6. Can I face a large or bulky quilt?
Yes, you can face quilts of any size and thickness by first securing them with basting stitches or pins around the outer edge before attaching the facing fabric. This will help prevent shifting while sewing and creates a crisp finish on large quilts.

In conclusion, learning how to face a quilt can be a daunting and overwhelming task for beginners, but with proper preparation and practice, it can become a rewarding experience. Understanding the importance of selecting the right fabric and batting, as well as properly basting and quilting, are crucial steps in creating a beautifully faced quilt. Additionally, having the necessary tools and techniques such as pressing and trimming can greatly improve the overall outcome of the quilt. One must also consider the different methods of facing a quilt, such as traditional or modern techniques, in order to achieve the desired look. Overall, facing a quilt requires patience, attention to detail, and creativity. With these tips and tricks in mind, anyone can successfully face their quilt with confidence and produce a stunning final product. So go forth with courage and embrace this challenging yet fulfilling aspect of quilting. Happy quilting!

Author Profile

Avatar
Jill Nammar
My name is Jill but everyone calls me Jilly. I design original cross stitch patterns inspired by vintage French and flowers. Roses are my muse.
I hope you have a cozy time stitching my patterns. Put the kettle on, relax and create a heartwarming piece of hand-embroidered art. Personalize your home and turn up the soulful charm with soulful stitchery.

My goal is to provide you with pretty patterns that promote peaceful stitching. My wish is for you to discover the gentle beauty of hand-embroidery.My patterns have been featured around the web and in Homespun Magazine and Boston Magazine. I find my bliss in cross stitch.

From 2024, I have embarked on a new venture—writing an informative blog on the “Embroidery and Cross-Stitch” niche. This blog is an extension of my passion, where I share detailed posts and respond to queries related to embroidery and cross-stitching.

The blog covers a wide range of topics from beginner tips, pattern creation, historical insights, and the therapeutic benefits of stitching. My goal is to build a community where enthusiasts can learn, share, and grow in their embroidery skills, ensuring everyone can find their own bliss in cross-stitch just as I did.

Thank you to all my customers and readers who have supported Sew French. Your kind emails, photos of completed patterns, and continual encouragement fuel my dedication to this beautiful craft. Join me in stitching a world of beauty and peace, one pattern at a time.