Quilt Prep & Loading Tips

Foundation paper piecing is a method that lets you make accurate, complex patterns without stress and struggle. In this video, APQS Education Director Dawn Cavanaugh shares lots of tips and tricks to help new and experienced quilters master this fun technique.

In this video, you'll discover techniques for securing your quilt layers together on a longarm quilting machine. We cover everything from stabilizing the edges when loading it to your frame...to earning extra money basting the quilt for hand quilters. APQS Education Director Dawn Cavanaugh even shows you how to baste the quilt if you're a sit-down machine quilter.

Loading a quilt on an APQS frame is easy! In this video, APQS National Education Director Dawn Cavanaugh demonstrates two of our favorite quilt top floating methods to make loading a quilt simple and fast.

Many quilters love to make cuddly quilts using fabric like polar fleece, flannel, or nappy knits like Minky or Shannon fabrics. Each of these fabrics introduces unique properties that may require adjustments to the way you may normally quilt.

Next time you choose a backing fabric, take these tips from our APQS team into consideration!

Imagine how quickly you could knock out quilts if you could get more than one on the frame at a time! Well, it IS possible if you use a single backing fabric for both quilts.

Turning a quilt is really very simple and fast to do IF you know the secret ingredient – bendable pins that recover their shape after winding around the rollers.

Now that you know more about the possible methods you can choose, let’s review the basic steps for quilt loading...

Each quilt loading method has advantages and drawbacks, and there really is not a “right” way to load a quilt—only different ways.

Read our tips on how to successfully use "unusual" fabrics for your backing.