A few simple steps to help everything go smoothly
Getting your quilt ready for long-arm quilting doesn’t take long — but a little preparation makes a real difference in the finished result.
Here’s what to check before you bring in or ship your quilt top.
Give your quilt top a good press before drop-off. Wrinkles and folded creases can affect how the fabric feeds through the machine. A smooth, flat top helps us achieve even, consistent stitching across the whole quilt.
Clip any loose threads from the front and back of your quilt top. Dark threads can show through lighter fabrics once quilted, and loose ends can get caught in the stitching.
Run your hands across the quilt top and make sure all seams are secure. If anything feels loose or is coming apart, reinforce it before bringing it in. Open seams can shift during quilting and create tucks or puckers.
Make sure the edges are straight and the corners are as close to 90 degrees as possible. A squared-up top loads more evenly on the long-arm frame, which means a smoother, more consistent result.
Your backing fabric should be at least 4 inches larger than your quilt top on all sides (8 inches total in both width and height). This gives us room to load and tension the quilt properly on the frame.
If your backing needs to be seamed, we can take care of that for you — just let us know.
If you plan to wash your quilt after quilting and want to avoid uneven shrinkage, consider pre-washing your fabrics before piecing. If your top is already pieced with unwashed fabric, that’s fine too — just let us know so we can plan accordingly.
If you have a batting preference, bring it along. If not, we carry high-quality batting and can help you choose the right weight and fiber for your project. We’re happy to discuss options.
Not sure about something? Don’t worry — we’re happy to walk you through it. Reach out and we’ll help you get everything ready.