PREPARING YOUR QUILT FOR LONGARMING

Give your quilt top a good iron. It doesn’t matter if your seams are pressed open or to the side; they just need to be flat. This helps reduce bulk and makes the final quilt smooth. Clip away any loose threads. If your quilt has appliquéd pieces or any extra embellishments, make sure they are secured properly so that they don’t get caught in the machine. Fold it loosely right before dropping it off or placing it in the mail. Folding your quilt on the bias is helpful in preventing excessive creasing. If your backing is pieced together, make sure that all the edges are cut evenly across.

This step is optional, but very beneficial! Stay-Stitching is especially important if you have seams or bias edges along the outside of the quilt. It helps ensure those seams don’t come apart and will help keep bias edges from stretching. To do a stay stitch, you simply sew a straight seam approximately ⅛” in from the edge all around the perimeter of the quilt top.

Please don’t assume the measurements of your top are the same as what is listed in your pattern. You need to measure to know exactly how much backing and batting you need to provide. Measure straight down the middle; both horizontally and vertically. Another easy way to measure your quilt top is to fold it in half lengthwise and measure from the fold to the outside and then multiply that measurement by 2. You’ll want to do this for both the length and width of the quilt top. Write these measurements down for later.

If your quilt is directional, or you want one side to be the top, please designate this. The easiest way to mark the top is with a sticky note or a piece of masking tape. Add a pin to make sure it is extra secure.

Your backing should have at least 4 inches extra on EACH side (8 inches horizontally and 8 inches vertically). This allows enough room to pin the quilt onto the frame. If you are piecing your backing it is best to have the seam running horizontally. Horizontal seams prevent your quilt from sagging on the frame. To square up your backing, fold it so that the selvedges meet and the fabric is nice and smooth. Line up your ruler with the folded edge. Cut about an inch or so off the side. Do this on both edges of the fabric. This ensures that your fabric is square; meaning the corners are all 90 degrees. As the backing is loaded, it stays straight, ensuring the design on the backing fabric does not look wonky in your final quilt. If your backing is directional or you want a specific side to be the top, please mark it.

Purchase your batting from me and I will make sure there is enough to load it properly. If you choose to send your own batting, please keep in mind that it should be at least 4” larger on all sides, just like the backing.

Once your top, backing, and batting are ready, fold them up and place them in a plastic bag. Something as simple as a garbage bag will work for this. The plastic bag is your protection from rain, snow, or anything wet.