Not so Top Secret Project Two Part 5

The Backing:
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All quilts need a backing. I machine quilt my quilts on my Long arm - so I am going to give you the directions to have a quilt quilted by a Long Arm Quilter.
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There are many different ways to make a backing.
This one was designed by Mary. I love it - I use it a lot, just to mix up the way a backing looks:
http://maryquilts.com/off-center-4-patch-backing
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I also saw someone make a back out of 10 inch squares. It was very scrappy and added interest! Also I made some that were just strippy. And then there is the easiest way to do it - buy a wide backing. Then it is all one piece, no seaming!
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Any way you decide to do it, Most Long Arm quilters prefer 6 to 8 inches extra of the backing. I always err to the side of caution and try for 8. This allows me a chance to square up the backing. Since I want a square quilt, and a non wrinkled backing I need to make it square to load it on my machine.
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My Quilt Top finished at 54 x 74.
So this means if I will add 8 Inches :I want a backing of 62 x 82
If I Will add 6 inches it will be 60 x 80
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Now you have your backing made.. you can move on to the quilting. Are you making this as a Quilt of Valor? If so - over at http://www.qovf.org you can click on Request a Long Armer. A form will come up , you fill it out, you get a reciept in the email, and within a week you will get a name and Email of a Long Arm quilter who will then add the batting and quilt it up with in a Month. Most of them do not do binding. These Long Arm quilters are volunteers and put these quilts into their schedules to do quickly!
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If you use this option, they will send the quilt back to you, and then you bind it. You will then make a presentation case ( a pillowcase). When that is all done you can go back to qovf.org and request a destination.
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If you want your quilt to come this way - for presentation to a soldier at Fort Carson. You can let your Long Arm'er know this and include my address. They can then send the quilt to me and my guild ladies, or my new trainees will bind it and get it to a soldier.
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Do you need some great tutorials for a presentation case?
http://vickiwelsh.typepad.com/field_trips_in_fiber/2007/05/pillowcases.html

I know there are a few more - but I can't seem to find them at the moment.
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Any questions? Let me know. I hope you all liked that pattern. I liked mine and am getting ready to quilt it up. So after I am done I will be back with it!