Preparing Your Quilt for Longarm Quilting
A little longarm quilting preparation helps your quilt load smoothly onto the longarm and gives me the best possible foundation for beautiful quilting. Before bringing or sending your quilt to me, please follow these simple guidelines.
QUILT
PREPARATION
1. Quilt Backing
Your backing should be square and at least 8 inches wider and 8 inches longer than your quilt top. This gives me at least 4 inches of extra backing on every side for loading and quilting.
Example: If your quilt top measures 70″ × 80″, your backing should measure at least 78″ × 88″.
If you need to piece your backing, horizontal seams are preferred, although vertical seams are also accepted. Please use seams at least ½” wide, backstitch the ends to secure them, and press the seams open to reduce bulk.
2. Batting
If you are providing your own batting, it should extend at least 4 inches beyond the quilt top on all four sides, just like the backing. Batting that is larger than the required amount is perfectly fine and can be trimmed after quilting.
If you would prefer for me to provide the batting, we can discuss batting options when we plan your quilting.
3. Mark the Top
4. Loose Threads
Please clip all loose threads from the front and back of your quilt top before bringing or sending it to me. Loose or dark-colored threads can sometimes become trapped between the layers and show through lighter fabrics once the quilt is quilted.
5. Press Your Quilt
Please make sure your quilt top and backing are pressed and free of hard creases or excessive wrinkles before bringing or sending them to me.
If significant pressing is needed before your quilt can be loaded onto the longarm, an additional pressing fee may apply.
ASK
ME
Questions or Special Considerations
Every quilt is a little different. If there is anything unusual about your quilt’s construction, backing, fabric, borders, or design—or anything you would particularly like me to know—please tell me.
Ready to Get Started?
Your quilt is ready. Now let’s talk about the quilting.
Whether you already have a quilting design in mind or would like help choosing one, I’d be happy to talk through the possibilities and find the right approach for your quilt.
