Preparing Your Quilt Top For The Quilter

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Quilting is an additional artistic element on a quilt that can help the piecing on a quilt top stand out, build on a theme from the fabric prints, or tie it all together. You have put a lot of time and care into your quilt top, and the following steps will ensure your quilt top has a smooth trip through the quilting process:

ALL SEAMS SHOULD BE PRESSED FLAT for quilting. Have you ever hit a small pothole on the road and gotten a little tossed around in your seat? Your quilt top is the road my longarm machine travels across, so if there’s a bump in the road it may lead to unwanted inconsistencies in the stitching.

BACKING & BATTING should be at least 4 inches wider and longer than the quilt top to leave room to adjust for squareness and to load on the longarm. For example, if you have a quilt that is 60” x 80”, the batting and backing should measure 68” x 88”. If larger than this you will be given the scraps back to use on another quilt.

BACKING SEAMS should have a 1/2” seam if possible and any selvages should be removed before seaming. Seams can be pressed in any direction.

FOLD THE QUILT TOP, BACKING & BATTING SEPARATELY for delivery as each piece is loaded separately on the machine.

SECURELY TACK THE OUTSIDE SEAMS as they get a lot of handling before they are secured for the finished quilt.

SNIP ALL LOOSE THREADS & REMOVE ALL PINS. Threads can get tangled or be visible through the fabric if they are left too long. Tip: I like to put a pair of scissors on a lanyard around my neck and snip threads as I do the final iron down to ensure nothing is missed.

SPECIFY THE DIRECTION OF THE QUILT TOP AND BACK if it affects the design.

YOU MAY ADD A QUILT LABEL to the backing prior to quilting, or purchase one to be made and added.