Before you begin quilting, take a few minutes to properly secure your quilt layers. Good preparation helps prevent shifting, puckering, and distortion—especially when quilting in the hoop and re-hooping multiple times throughout a project.

A stable quilt sandwich will help your computerized quilting designs stitch more accurately and produce better results from beginning to end.

Build the Quilt Sandwich

Layer your quilt top, batting, and backing.

For computerized quilting, make sure the batting and backing extend approximately 3 inches beyond the quilt top on all sides. This extra margin provides enough room to hoop the quilt and stitch designs close to the edges without running out of fabric.

01. Baste the Quilt Layers

Baste all three layers together using safety pins spaced approximately 6 inches apart, or use your preferred basting method.

The goal is simply to keep the quilt layers from shifting while you prepare for quilting.

02. Add Securing Stitches

After pin basting, add securing stitches to hold the quilt layers firmly together during hooping and re-hooping.

These stitches also allow you to remove the safety pins so they won't interfere with the embroidery hoop during quilting.

Your securing stitches can be either temporary or permanent, depending on your project.

Temporary Securing Stitches

Temporary securing stitches are typically sewn about every 6 inches.

Most BERNINA machines include Stitch #21, a built-in basting stitch that works perfectly for this step.

You can also create temporary securing stitches using the BERNINA Stitch Regulator (BSR) with the feed dogs lowered and the machine set to Mode 3.

Permanent Securing Stitches

Permanent securing stitches become part of the finished quilting design, so they won't need to be removed later.

A few popular options include:

• Stitch-in-the-ditch using Dual Feed or a Walking Foot
• Free-motion stippling
• Free-motion rulerwork around design areas

These techniques stabilize the quilt while leaving open spaces for your computerized quilting designs.

Plan Before You Quilt

Before you begin quilting, decide how you'd like to secure your quilt layers.

Ask yourself:

• Will the securing stitches be temporary and removed later?
• Or can they become part of the finished quilting design?

There isn't a single right answer. The best method depends on your quilt, your design placement, and how you plan to complete the quilting.

Taking just a few extra minutes to properly secure your quilt sandwich can make the quilting process smoother, reduce shifting and puckering, and help you achieve more accurate computerized quilting results from start to finish.