Creating an Action Quilt - Part 9

Backing - Quilting - Binding on an Action Quilt

I cut the batting about 2" larger than the top - all the way around:

I cut the backing at least an inch bigger all the way around than the backing:

I took only the batting outside, and laid it out on a leftover styrofoam thingy that was packing from something we had to recently buy ~ a new air conditioner (window unit). I highly recommend doing this OUTSIDE (out of the wind) and any surface will work, but know the basting spray will get on everything and it's very sticky!!!

(This is what I use, from Walmart, Dritz Basting Spray)

I carefully carried back inside, and placed it down on the wrong side of the backing, smoothing it out nice and carefully. You do have a little time to make adjustments if necessary:

After the basting spray dried a little, I started pinning the top to the backing/batting set:

You can't really see the "quilting" stitches from the front side...

Maybe you can see it a bit better from the back side:

Now it's time for the binding!

Prepare binding as you would any other quilt.

I cut 2.5 inch wide strips and sew together on the diagonal to make the length needed. I then fold in half and press the length of the binding. On one end, I press a 45 degree angle and that's the end I start with. To determine length needed, measure sides and ends, 14.5, 14.5, 18.5, 18.5 = 66   / 36 = 1.8333 yards of binding needed.

I've learned several things since I posted last September for National Sewing Month - making a quilt top...

A friend of mine shared not to trim the backing and batting close to the top until AFTER I do the first stitching down of the binding. Oh. My. Goodness. Does it ever go quicker and makes a nicer application! Again, Thank You, Dianna!

Any, and all, of my quilts, I start the binding on the lower left side. Somewhere, another lifetime ago, a training class for creating effective newsletters, I learned the lower left side is a blind side... the eyes go every where else first!

Once the binding is stitched down, I then trim off the excess backing and batting.

After pinning down (I love these clips!), I'm ready to stitch the final trek around the Action Quilt.
Here is another trick I've learned this year from a friend... use a zipper foot!!! I love this! I can adjust my needle to run right along the edge of the binding. Thank you again, Ann!

The Action Quilt is DONE! And, it's gone through the laundry cycle perfectly!!!

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial! I encourage you to make your own Action Quilt to give a Loved One with Alzheimer's Disease or dementia! It will surely put a smile on their face!

I hope you share pictures!!!