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Quilt Prep 101
Read through each topic below to ensure that your quilt is properly prepared for longarm quilting.
Batting Selection
I stock Quilters Dream 80/20 cotton/poly natural batting and 100% poly white batting. Both options come 93" wide on rolls so there are no wrinkles or creases to work through before we can use it in your quilt.
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Quilters Dream also offers 100% cotton, Green (made from recycled bottles), Bamboo, Angel (flame retardant) and wool battings in a variety of sizes. These battings can be special ordered and will be priced accordingly.
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You may also choose to use your own batting. It should be a high quality batting and should be at least 8" taller and wider than your quilt top.
Backing Details
It is really important that your backing be at least 8" longer and 8" wider than your quilt top. This extra fabric allows me to attach your quilt to my longarm frame and gives me a little wiggle room. I like to run the pantograph a little over the edge to ensure a complete run. The extra on the edge also helps me to check my tension if I run into a problem as I'm working on your quilt.
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Your backing may be 1 piece or more than 1 piece. Please be sure to trim any selvage that is on a seam If your backing has a seam, please trim the ends so that you have a "square" backing.
Quilt Top Prep
Before sending your quilt top for longarming, please take a moment and look over your top. Look for and discard any loose or stray threads. Don't worry if you don't get them all! They tend to multiply!
Check to be sure that all of your seams are good and there aren't any holes.
If you have lots of seams in your quilt, you may consider adding a "finishing" stitch around the outer border. This straight stitch runs around the entire perimeter of your quilt and is about 1/8" from the edge. This helps keep all of your seams together, even at the edges. and is beneficial to me because I need to put a little pressure on your edges to keep them in place and I don't want your seams to come apart.
Trimming the Quilt
I have a large cutting surface which often makes it easier for me to trim the excess batting & fabric off your quilt. This is different than "squaring up" your quilt. I will be following the natural flow of the outer of edge of your quilt and cutting off the excess batting & fabric. All of the excess fabric will be returned to you. (You might be able to use it for your binding!) Or you may choose to trim your quilt yourself!
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*Please note that the edge to edge type of quilting that I do does not easily allow you to wrap the backing to the front for the binding. Most of the time, the pantograph will go off both sides of the quilt. I recommend trimming the quilt and then adding the binding.
Binding Services
I offer 4 options of binding services.
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Level 1: $0.13 per linear inch
I machine sew your prepared 2.5" binding to the back of your quilt. You would then hand sew it to the front.
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Level 2: $0.25 per linear inch
I machine sew your prepared 2.5" binding to the back and to the front of your quilt.
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Level 3: $0.75 per linear inch
I prepare your 2.5" binding and machine sew it to the back and the front of your quilt.
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Or you can let me know that there are no binding services needed at all!
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*A quick note about binding - I prefer to work with a 2.5" binding with seams attached at a 45 degree angle.
Odds & Ends
Turnaround Times
I am a school teacher and work days during the school year. Most of the time, quilts can be completed within about 3 weeks. I will let you know when I receive the quilt approximately how long it will take.
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Dropping Off a Quilt
I live just 4 miles from Adams, NY and Interstate 81. You are welcome to come visit my studio and drop off a quilt at a time that is convenient to both of us.
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Mailing a Quilt
Feel free to mail your quilt to the address on the order form. I would suggest that you put your quilt and backing in a bag before placing it in a box. I will contact you as soon as I receive it to go over your order.