The Quilt Top

            The quilt top should be well pressed and squared. Stitching at quilt edges should be sufficient and strong enough to prevent unstitching under normal handling conditions. Threads should be trimmed on the right and wrong side of the top. Dark threads on the wrong side of the quilt top may show through if the quilt has light colored fabrics

The seams on the quilt top may be pressed as you desire except where there are multiple seam intersections, creating a “bump”. These should be pressed open to distribute the thickness.

The quilt top should not have any three-dimensional embellishments such as buttons, charms, beads, etc. Save all embellishments until after the quilt top has been quilted.

The Quilt Back

The quilt backing should be 8 inches wider and longer that the quilt top. This enables the loading on the long arm. It should also be well pressed, squared, with threads trimmed. If seamed, the backing seam should have selvage edges trimmed, pressed open, and reinforced at the edges. It is fine to keep selvages on the outer edges of the backing. Squaring of backing, reinforcing of edges and pressing of seams can be provided as a specialty service.

The Quilt Batting

Batting must be approximately 8″ wider all around the quilt top. This is necessary in order to load the quilt on the machine frame. Batting can be spliced for you as a specialty service.

I routinely use 80/20 cotton/polyester batting. While I normally quilt with “natural” colored batting, I do carry black batting as well as bright white batting. I also keep supplies of other fibers such as wool, silk, and bamboo.

 Specialty Threads and Other Techniques

Thread – If you provide your own thread for quilting, it must be suitable for longarm machine quilting. Extra thread is always required to avoid delays that affect scheduling. Specialty threads may require specialty needles, thus, an extra charge may be required. Specialty threads will require color and tension testing. Thus small fabric scraps from the pieced top will be required.  Some threads (and techniques) require stabilization thus stabilizers can be supplied for an extra charge.

Some techniques require support/stabilizers to create the look desired. Alternatively, if fabric is delicate or antique, it may also require support and stabilization. These products can be supplied for a nominal fee. 

Show Quilts

Please let me know at the time of presentation, if you intend for your quilt to hang in a show. Expect to pay more for “show quality” quilting. The usual turn-around time for a quilt to be quilted is 4 – 8 weeks. Rush jobs are accepted but may incur extra charges.