Here is an easy check-list to help prepare your quilt for longarm quilting.
QUILT TOP:
1 – Ensure Quilt Top is square. We know it is humanly impossible to be at a perfect 90 degree angle on each corner, but we appreciate it greatly if you do your best in getting it to be square.
2 – Ensure your Quilt Top lays flat when laid out. If there are waves and puckers or mountains in your top, it may result in unwanted tucks and gathers when quilting. Although we do our best to manage these issues as it is being quilted we can’t guarantee we can fix it all. We suggest ironing your piecing as you go to ensure everything is flat and well joined.
3 – Secure all seams that are around the edges of the quilt top and backing. Just make sure that any seams that meet the edge are secure either through back-stitching them, or securing them by sewing a 1/4″ seam around the entire perimeter of your quilt top. Or just sew over the seams.
4 – Clip and remove all loose threads. This step ensures threads don’t show through the top or bottom of the quilt.
5 – Iron the top and press all seams. This is very important as we do charge $30.00 to iron your quilt. On our own quilts, we like to use starch or sizing spray on the back and use light steam to press seams in the right direction (i.e., toward the dark piecing, points open, etc.)
6 – Mark the Top of the front and Back of your quilt with a safety pin. This is especially helpful if you choose a quilt pattern that has an orientation or have a top that is directional.
7 – Tell us a little bit about the quilt. This is optional, but helpful for us to know who the quilt is for, how it will be used, etc. A kids “Drag Along” is much different than a wall hanging quilt, or a quilt destined for a competition. This information helps us find quilt patterns and batting that will work best for the intended use of the quilt or to the recipient.
8 – We highly recommend that you work with us to pre-select thread color(s) and digital quilt patterns. We work with a large number of digital pattern designers and have a large selection to choose from. Feel free to visit any digital designer and pick any digital pattern for Gammill that you like best. We will work with you to get the best for your quilt. If we don’t have it we will get it.
QUILT BACK:
Please send us the backing for the quilt – finished and square. Please ensure that the backing is 6″ to 8” wider and 6″ to 8” longer than the finished top for proper loading on the longarm quilt table. If you have not selected or purchased a backing for your quilt, we suggest that you first consider extra wide backing. Although limited in selections, it is usually cheaper and results in a back without seams and the need for trimming to square. We have been asked by customers to choose backings for the quilt. We can provide that service and will only purchase after your approval. A shopping fee of $30 is automatically added to your project, and of course, the cost of the backing material.
BATTING:
We understand that shipping batting along with your quilt top and back might be cumbersome or inconvenient. We stock Quilters Dream batting and have most common types in stock. You can visit Quilters Dream site and choose the one you like and we will get it if we don’t have it. You will only be charged for the amount of batting you need, at our cost. However, if you would like to supply your own batting, please ensure that it is of good quality, is appropriate for the quilt’s intended purpose, and sized to match the quilt back. That is, no less than 6″ to 8” wider and 6″ to 8” longer than the finished top.
SHIPPING:
We recommend USPS Flat Rate Shipping because of their ease of use. Just pick up a free box at the Post Office and package up your quilt and send it by USPS for a standard rate of around $20 or less.
For the safety of your quilt, you should seal it in a plastic bag, you MUST insure it, obtain a tracking number and send it to us and REQUIRE SIGNATURE. This makes sure that the quilt is protected from weather, we know when to expect it and that it is delivered to our hands from the carrier or is safely held at the Post Office. We have never had a problem and don’t want one.
Thanks