Tips for Successful Machine Quilting

To maximize the beauty of your quilt, here are some tips you can follow when preparing and sending your quilt:

• Do not pin or baste pieces together. If your piece has a definite top and bottom and the difference is not clearly obvious, please indicate the top with a safety pin.
• Make sure that your backing and batting are 4" to 5" larger than your quilt top on all sides.  
• Press your quilt, trim threads, and check for loose or open seams. There will be a charge of $25 per hour to press and/or repair your quilt top prior to quilting. All tops are lightly pressed upon receipt to remove any wrinkles caused by packing and shipping.
• Be sure you have squared up your quilt.  Measure across the middle section of your quilt to determine the length of your border when applying. This will help to avoid those nasty flared borders that produce puckers when quilted.
• If shipping your quilt, please be sure all pieces are put into a plastic bag in case your package gets wet in transit.
• When piecing your backing fabric, be sure to remove selvedges and use a walking foot, if available. This will help to prevent puckering when your quilt is quilted.
• Include any special instructions you may have on your order form.
• Please do not supply sheets for backing. The higher thread count in many sheets can cause skipped stitches on your quilt.
• If you have a pieced border or bias edges on the outside of your quilt it is best to staystitch to provide more stability.
•  If I am applying your binding, please include fabric and specify the desired finished width.
•  If you plan to attach the binding yourself, the quilt will not be trimmed after quilting is complete unless requested.

Please remember that your quilt will be as free of puckers / pleats as your piecing allows.