Misty Mountain Studio

You're finally finished sewing all the pieces of your quilt top together and now you need to get it quilted but you aren't sure how to prepare it for the longarmer.  Here are some guidelines to follow:  

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Quilt Top

 

• Do not baste or pin your quilt sandwich. Bring it as three separate pieces – top, backing, batting

• Your quilt top needs to be squared, pressed and free of excess threads, especially on the front of the quilt top.

• Every quilt is lightly pressed before being loaded onto the machine to remove any creases caused by folding but if excessive pressing needs to be done there will be an additional $10 charge.

• Excess threads left on the back of your quilt top are not a big concern unless your quilt has light coloured open areas. Medium to dark coloured threads left under a light coloured fabric will resemble varicose veins....and that’s not very pretty.

• If you have pieced borders or pieced blocks on the outside edge of your quilt, it is best to stabilize the edges with stay stitching 1/8” to 1/4 “ away from the edge.  Use a regular stitch setting to do your stay stitching, not a basting stitch.

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Quilt Backing

 

• Quilt backing MUST BE a minimum of 4 inches larger on all four (4) sides than your quilt top. The larger size ensures the machine does not bump into the side clamps used to support the quilt back during the quilting process.

• Quilt backing MUST BE square to ensure proper loading onto the machine. If the backing is not square you may end up with pleats in your backing.

• If you are piecing your backings and not using wide backs, keep in mind horizontal seams are preferable to vertical seams for loading onto the machine.  If you use a vertical seam I may have to load your quilt sideways, especially if you've chosen a directional quilting pattern. Also, if using a heavily pieced backing do not expect it to line up perfectly with the top. I will do my best but perfection is not guaranteed.

• Please trim the selvages off your backing fabric before piecing the backing.  Trimming the selvages and ironing the backing seams will improve the appearance of your finished quilt.

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Quilt Batting

 

• Batting needs to be at least 3 inches longer and wider than your quilt top all the way around.

• DO NOT wash your batting. It causes distortion in the batting, which could leave folds under the quilt top.

• I reserve the right to reject certain inferior battings, for the sake of your finished quilt! If you’ve taken the time to purchase good quality fabric for your quilt top and back, please invest in good quality batting. Your quilt will last much longer with it. 

• It is recommended you use a blend of 80%cotton/20% poly batting, 100% cotton or bamboo batting.

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Thread – I use a trilobal polyester thread for quilting. Trilobal polyester  is a multiple filament, twisted, high-sheen continuous fiber thread. It has the bright appearance of rayon or silk, but the advantages of a polyester fiber. It's very strong and comes in a multitude of colours. It's included in the cost of quilting.

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