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 

• Baste your quilt top (I can do this for you for an additional fee)  Basting is key to avoid tucks on the back. Please pin baste. Spray gums up my needle and causes skipped stiches.

• 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. 

You will need to supply:

• quilt top

• batting (I can supply this and will add to the cost of your quilt. I will choose either Hobbs or Quilter's Dream 80/20 unless otherwise specified. )

• backing (basting is optional) 

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

• Fabric for binding if you will be having me bind the quilt.  I prefer a 2.5 inch binding strip.

I will supply thread for the project. I use glide or isacord thread for the top and typically a 50 weight neutral cotton thread for the bobbin.   Projects will include a $15 thread and needle fee unless it is a custom thread painting project or a very large quilt with dense quilting.