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QUILT TOP

1. Press the back of your quilt top well. Make sure that all seams are pressed flat on the back, and facing in the desired direction. If you choose not to press your quilt top, the quilt will be quilted "as-is", but this will not give the best results.

2. Cut off trailing threads from the back of the quilt. If there are light areas on your top, dark threads can show through like "varicose veins", and really detract from your finished product.

3. "Stay-Stitch" a scant 1/4" in from the edge around the perimeter of the quilt top. This keeps seams from "popping" and prevents stretching when attached to the canvas on the rollers. (this service can be provided for a fee)

BACKING

1. Cut the backing at least 4" larger than your top on all ides (8"total), and trim so that the fabric is square. This will allow the backing to be pinned evenly to the canvas leaders.

2. Remove ALL selvages if you have to seam the back, both from seams and along the edges.

3. 100% cotton fabric is best. Other fabrics may stretch differently than cotton and can cause tucks & puckering during the quilting process. Some fabrics may also "pill" & encourage the migration of batting fibers to the surface of the quilt. Please note: Use of bed sheets is discouraged. Most cause poor tension & constant thread breakage.

4. Printed backings enhance the finished quilt and will help hide any "starts & stops" necessary when changing threads and bobbins.

5. Press well. Backing seams should be pressed open. (I can provide wide backings, please let me know what you need and I will see what can be provided. I will also seam and press your backing for a fee).

BATTING

1. The batting should be at least 4" larger than your top on all sides (8" total). If you are providing your own batting, I will try to work with what you have, but I reserve the right to refuse to use any batting which is too fragile for machine quilting.

2. I carry several different battings that you may wish to be used for your quilt.

BORDER TIPS

Perhaps the most common problem encountered by machine quilters is a border with extra fullness that will not lay flat, causing tucks or pleats during the machine quilting.

By the time you finish piecing your quilt top, the edge will usually have stretched somewhat, especially if there are any bias pieces on the edge. If you just measure the edges of the top to get the measurement for your borders, you will almost always end up with a quilt that will NOT hang or lay flat.

To ensure your borders are applied correctly:

1. Measure your quilt in 3 places lengthwise: left, right, and center. Add those measurements and divide by 3 to get an average. For example 61"+62"+60"= 183". Divide by 3 equals an average of 61".

2. Cut the two side borders to this measurement, in this case 61 inches. Pin border to quilt at each end and center, ease to fit, and pin to distribute any fullness. Sew and press.

3. Repeat this process widthwise for top and bottom borders.

4. Repeat process for any additional borders.

5. Don't forget to "stay-stitch" the edge as soon as you're done attaching the border. This will prevent any stretching from further handline.