Preparing Your Quilt Top

Successful machine quilting starts with great preparation. Before handing your quilt top over please:

• Press your whole quilt top. Watch for seams which are folded over. This can increase tucks in your quilt top.

• Press seams. To the side or open are both fine. When using high contrast fabric, remember to press to the dark side!

• Reduce bulky areas, such as places where several pieces of fabric intersect

• clip loose threads--these may show through your finished quilt top if not clipped 

• Use quality cotton fabric for quilt top and backing. I can also do minky and flannel. 

• Use quality batting.  I recommend a cotton/poly blend or wool.  Please note that batting choices can impact quilting spacing. I am happy to provide batting and will charge current market rate.  ( I do not seek to gain a profit from charging for your batting). 

• Please mark if there is a top or bottom to your quilt. If your backing is directional, let me know what way you want the print to run.

• If piecing your backing, please note that I will try to load your seams so that they run horizontally on the frame, as this usually produces better results. If you are piecing vertically that's fine--the quilt top just needs to be within 120" and I will rotate the quilt to it's "side" while I quilt it.  

• If you want directional quilting (like straight lines, wavy lines, woodgrain) please let me know which direction, and indicate the top of the quilt. 

You will need to supply:

• quilt top.  I can do as wide as 120" and as long as you want! 

• batting at least 4 inches wider and longer than your quilt top (or I will supply for current market cost). 

• backing  at least 8 inches wider and longer than your quilt top. This is for loading purposes and for machine clearance. 

  • note that a busy backing will not show quilting. A solid backing or minky back will highlight the quilting. 

I will supply thread for the project. I use isacord, mettlar poly, or mettlar cotton, all high-quality threads. Most folks have me choose thread, but you can let me know on the contact form if you have a preference!  I do not use thread provided by customers as it tends to cause more problems.

If you prefer something other than a 40 or 50 weight thread (such as a a fine 80 or 100 weight deco bob on the bottom) please indicate that on the customer form.  There are also fun options like glow-in-the dark--perfect for Halloween Quilts!  Just ask! Do note that specialty threads are typically more costly. 

Projects will include a $10 thread and needle fee unless it is a custom thread painting project, a very large quilt with dense quilting, or a specialty thread. The thread and needle fee barely cover the cost of materials---it takes a lot of thread to complete a project!