How to Prepare Your Quilt

Press

Pressing your quilt top is the most important step in preparing it for the long arm. Press to the side or open as you prefer, just get those seam allowances flat! This is also a great opportunity for you to make sure there are no spots where stitches have come undone leaving holes in the seams. If pressing is required, there is a charge starting at $25 for a crib size.

Trim

Trim all the threads, and also make your top as square as possible (don’t leave any extra bits at the end of your border strips, for example). Some fraying always happens, but excessive amounts of thread bits interfere with a good result. If an undue amount of trimming is required, there is a charge starting at $10.

Backing

Make sure your backing fabric is ready to go on the longarm. It should be at least 10” bigger than your top in both directions. If possible, seams that run horizontally across the back get a better result, but I understand if the directionality of your fabric requires a vertical seam. If leaders or seaming is required, there is a charge starting at $10 for a crib size.

Batting should be at least 8” bigger than your top in both directions. I prefer Quilter’s Dream brand, and have multiple widths available to purchase. Batting that is of an inferior quality, is dirty or has holes will not be accepted.