LAYERING Mark the center of the backing on the wrong side at the top, bottom, and side edges. On a smooth, flat surface a little larger than the quilt, place backing right side down. Smooth any wrinkles until the backing is flat; use masking tape to hold it taut and in place. Unfold batting and lay over backing. Smooth wrinkles, keeping the backing wrinkle free. Position quilt top on backing and batting, keeping all layers wrinkle free. Match centers of quilt top with backing. Use straight pins to keep layers from shifting while basting. MAKING QUICK TRIANGLES For two half-square triangles, place two squares right sides together. Draw a diagonal line across top square and stitch a 1/4" seam on both sides of the line. Cut apart on the drawn line. This is particularly useful when working on scrap quilts. MARKING QUILTING PATTERNS Press quilt top and change any correctable irregularities. Choose a marking tool which makes a thin accurate line, and pre-test removability on quilt fabric scraps. Marking tool options include: water-soluble and air-erasable markers, white dressmaker's pencil, chalk pencils, chalk rolling markers, and slivers of hardened soap. Try silver and yellow Berol® pencils on dark fabrics and a No. 2 pencil sparingly on light fabric. The same project may need several types of markers. Design aid options include: freezer-paper cutouts, stencils, templates, household items such as cookie cutters, and acrylic rulers. After marking quilting designs of choice, do not press quilt top; markings could be set permanently.