Sewing on a facing - the easy way

I have been busy... but also working on quilts. One is just started (a Hobbit quilt) and one is nearly finished. I put a facing on that one and because it is 36" x 72" came up with this idea to make the hand quilting much easier.

First, I have this comfy chair in my sewing area. It folds out to almost a bed (which is a whole other temptation). I put a lamp on the table to the right, and a pole lamp on the left.

Then there is this small folding table that is low and light, but sturdy. I use it to select fabric, spread out patterns, etc. This went in front of the chair. That plastic drawer thingy peeking out at the right is my "hand sewing" box of tools. It has several spools of thread in it, but I had to go find some white to sew this facing on the back of the quilt.

The last photo is the quilt plopped on the table. Normally, I like 'neat' 'folded' etc. but that puts creases in a quilt and I didn't want any of those in this big wall hanging. So it was loosely arranged with the side to be worked on along the edge of the table facing the chair. I have a TV, but if the television programs stink (normally they do), there is my Bose CD/radio to the left. I found some calm music and had this facing stitched securely in no time. 

Now all that is left are the sleeves (I'm putting one at the bottom to hold a strip of something to weigh it down) and the label! A finish-photo is next...

Facing a Large Quilt

I've done facings before, but tried a combination of two new methods (new to me) this time for My Mountain. Because this quilt is large and heavy, I wanted something strong to hold it. This was easy and I really like the results. The steps are as follows. I hope the pictures correspond, but if not, they will be in the right order.

1. Cut four 2-3" squares. Fold in half diagonally and press.

2. Cut four strips of fabric 4-5" wide and the length of the sides and ends of the quilt, less 2". Fold in half lengthwise and press.

3. Cut 4 strips the same length of fusible web. I used Stitch Witchery.

4. Sandwich and quilt the quilt. Do not trim the edges. Instead, using rulers, mark where they will be trimmed with a pencil, fabric marker, etc. where you will be trimming off the excess batting and fabric.

5. Lay the triangles on the right or top side of your quilt, matching the corners. Pin.

6. Lay the strips on the edges with the folded side toward the center of the quilt and the ends just overlapping the triangle. Try to have them meet just at the triangle's fold line. Also, line the raw edges with your marked trimming line. Pin in place.

7. Use walking foot, sew 1/4 inch seam all around, through all layers and pivoting at the corners.

8. Turn the facing pieces out, and press them open. Stitch around through the facing and the seam allowances under it, going as close as you can to the corners. (The triangles will prevent you from going right to the corners.) This is a dressmakers tip to make facings stay inside and not show on the outside.

9. Turn the facings to the back. Press and make sure the edges are straight, then slide a piece of fusible under each facing and press again, fusing the facing to the back of the quilt.

10. Hand stitch. This might not be necessary on a small quilt but it was on this big one - that has a lot of quilting and is heavy!

Enjoy!