Preparing Your Quilt

Preparing Your Quilt

The Quilt Top

  • Press all the seams flat.
  • Clip all loose threads. Dark threads will show through light fabrics.
  • Square your quilt making sure all sides are even.
  • Be sure there are no pins, buttons or other embellishments on your quilt top. (Attach these after the quilting process.)
  • Do NOT baste any of the three layers together since I load them onto the quilting frame individually.
  • Please mark the top edge of the quilt with a safety pin or piece of tape so I will know which way to load it onto my longarm.

Quilt Batting

  • If you supply your own batting it MUST be at least 3″ longer on all sides.  Example: 84″ x 92″ quilt top would require the batting to be 90″   x 98″.
  • I can supply the batting at my cost. We can discuss this at intake.  
  • Battings available include:  Warm Company’s Warm & Natural 80/20 Cotton blend, Quilters Dream 80/20 Cotton blend, and many others that can be special ordered from Quilters Dream (flame retardant, Orient – a blend of bamboo, silk & cotton, recycled bottles, wool, and black poly mid-loft, just to name a few) 

Quilt Backing

  • The quilt backing MUST be at least 5″ longer on all sides.  Example: 84″ x 92″ quilt top would require the backing to be 94″ x 102″.
  • Please mark the top edge of your backing with a safety pin or piece of tape.
  • Remove all selvages prior to seaming of the backing. A large seam allowance that is pressed open will give you a smoother finish and avoid the tendency for a backing seam to pleat or pucker.
  • It is impossible to perfectly center your backing so please allow for this when piecing your backing.
  • The entire backing should be neatly pressed.
  • If I am to supply the backing, it will be at a cost of $25.00 per square yard.

Thread

  • Available in a variety of colors to blend or contrast with your quilt. Charged by the sq yd and the number of bobbins used. ($1.50 per sq yd; $1.00 bobbin.)
  • Thread charges usually run between $5 and $10 depending on the density of the quilting design. Specialty thread may include extra charges, but you will be made aware of this at the time of the estimate for my services.