PREPARATION
How to prepare your quilt for Longarm Quilting
The quilt top and backing (also batting if customer supplied) should be received in a condition that is 100% ready for quilting. If any additional work is needed by me to prepare for quilting, additional charges will apply. You can avoid any additional fees by taking steps below to prepare for longarm quilting.
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Backing Fabric
Square your quilt backing fabric. Squaring the backing fabric is necessary for the long-arm quilting process. If you are not sure how to square your backing fabric, contact me for resources that can help.
Backing fabric needs to be at least 10-12 inches wider and longer than the quilt top. This means having 5-6 inches all the way around the quilt top.
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There is no need to baste or pin any layers together. Longarm quilting requires each layer to be loaded separately and lined up on the quilting frame. Please make sure that each layer is separate and not pinned, basted or adhered together with any method.
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If backing fabric is pieced, use 1/2 inch seam and press open. Do not leave selvage inside the seam (seam allowance). Selvage does not stretch and move, like the rest of the fabric, and may cause puckers if left in the seam. Press the backing fabric so it is wrinkle free and any seams lay flat.
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Quilt Tops
Clip loose threads from the quilt top. This is especially important if white fabric is part of your quilt. Threads can show through the quilt top, if left inside. Square up the quilt top before quilting.
Borders should lay flat. Wavy borders result from having excess fabric in the border. Excess fabric will cause the outside of the quilt not to lay flat and may result in puckers.
Anchor all seams that will remain on the outside of the border. As the quilt is handled, seams on the border will become loose and may pop open if not secured. If the outside border is made of pieced blocks, for example, flying geese, stay-stitch all the way around the edge of the quilt at 1/8 of an inch. This will prevent the seams from pulling apart.
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If your quilt has a designated top or bottom, please label the top.
Press the quilt top so it is wrinkle free and all seams lay flat.
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Batting
I have batting available. Click here for details. If you supply the batting, batting should be 6 inches longer and wider than the quilt top.