PrepShip

Preparing Your Quilt Top for Machine Quilting

1) Make sure your quilt top is well pressed and seams are flattened. Seams should be pressed flat, not pressed open.

2) Trim all hanging threads from the back and edge. Those threads will show through light areas of the quilt.

3) Quilting does not correct piecing problems. If there is fullness in the center or wavy borders you may wind up with

pleats or puckers. I do my best to correct such problems as I quilt, but I can’t guarantee that I can work out all problems.

To avoid wavy borders and pleats you must make your quilt fit your borders. Measure through the middle of the quilt

and cut your borders to that length. You may need to ease the quilt to fit the borders.

4) Quilts must be clean and free of offensive odors. ( I reserve the right to refuse Quilts with strong odors so that they may not

contaminate the work of other clients and my equipment).

5) Identify the top of your quilt and backing with a safety pin if it has a directional print.

6) If you want curved corners, please wait until the quilting is finished to cut the curves. Proper attachment of the quilt to the long-arm machine depends on straight, square corners.

Preparing the Backing for Machine Quilting

1) The backing fabric should be 100% cotton fabric. I know flat sheets are popular for backings, but I do not recommend

them. The tightly woven fabric makes it difficult for the needle to pierce the sheet. If you really want to use a sheet,

please be sure that the thread count is no more than 180 and wash and dry them at least five times. I reserve the right

to refuse backings that may cause tension problems or to charge a fee for the extra time necessary to work with such a

backing.

2) Please remove the selvege edges from the backing.

3) If the backing fabric isn’t big enough, please use a half inch seam to piece the backing. Press the seam open. Make

sure all fabric is the same length.

4) The backing must be at least six inches larger in length and width than the top, but should not be more than ten inches

larger in length and width.

5) The backing should be squared up.

6) Please press the backing fabric.

7) A busy fabric backing can hide stops and starts when doing custom or heirloom quilting.

Batting

1) Batting should be cut to the same width as the backing, but may be longer than the backing

2) I carry Hobbs Batting. Price is dependent on the size needed. You may provide your own batting, but I recommend that you

choose a good quality batting. Inexpensive battings found in discount stores and big chain fabric stores are thin and uneven.

They may cause tension problems during the quilting process. I reserve the right to refuse poor quality batting.

* Please do not baste the quilt top, batting and backing together. If you do I will have to charge you for the time it takes to separate the three layers. I need all three layers seperated so I can attach them individually to the frame.

Your quilt will be insured while in my possession for the cost of the materials ONLY.