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Quilt prep

Press it! Press it real good!

*any additional prep work that must be done by me prior to longarming will result in an extra fee of $35/half hour + materials

quilt tops:

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  • DO NOT add items like buttons, trim, crystals, etc... prior to quilting. If you have questions about embellishments, use the contact form to reach out to me.

  • DO ensure all seams are secure.

  • DO clip loose threads.

  • DO press the quilt top and fold neatly.

  • Bias edges- it is helpful to run a victory lap of stitching 1/8" from the edges. This will reduce the likelihood of stretching/waviness/snagged/misshapen edges when quilting.

  • If the top is directional, please indicate the top with a safety pin or painters tape.

backings:

ALL Backings (wide, pieced, sheets, etc.):
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  • DO Ensure backing fabric is a minimum 8" longer and wider than your quilt top. This gives me the necessary 4" of fabric on all sides to attach the backing to the machine. 

  • DO Square your backing. This is extremely important when attaching the backing to the longarm. If the backing is not square, you quilt will not be square either. 

  • If using wide back fabric, I highly recommend purchasing at least a 1/4 yard more than you think you need. Why? Because wide back fabric is notoriously not square. That little bit of extra yardage ensures that you end up with the required 8" longer and wider after squaring it up.

  • If the backing is directional, please use a safety pin or painters tape to mark the top.

  • What the sheet?!? Yes, I said sheet(s). Sheets, specifically vintage flat sheets, make fantastic backs... they're generally super soft, cost effective, and quilt up just fine. I use them all of the time in my own projects. Avoid the newer sheets with crazy high thread counts (anything over 500) as it will stir up the tension gremlins.

 
Pieced backings​:
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  • DO use a ¾–1 inch seam allowance.

  • DO press seams open.

  • DO NOT leave the selvage inside the seam(s). Selvages are a much tighter weave and will pucker when washed.

  • DO piece backing with a horizontal seam; the seam will lie along the length of the backing roller and will keep the quilt back flat.

  • DO press the backing fabric so all seams lay flat.

  • Avoid placing the backing seam in the center if possible.

  • Use a safety pin to mark the top of the backing if it is directional.

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