You need to follow these steps to prepare your quilt top, backing and batting for machine quilting.

Top

It is very important that your quilt top has been throughly pressed and squared.  Ensure that all loose threads have been trimmed so that they won’t show through on the front of the quilt.

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 top, middle, and bottom of the quilt, add the three numbers together & divide by three to find the average.  Cut your borders to that length.  You may need to ease the quilt to fit the borders, but this will ensure a squared quilt top.

Identify the top of your quilt and backing with a safety pin or label.

Backing

The backing must be a minimum of 5″ (13cm) larger (on all four sides) than your quilt top.

You can leave the selvages on the edges of your backing if it is a single piece of fabric, but if your backing is pieced, please trim selvages off all pieced seams.

You backing should be squared and thoroughly pressed.  If it isn’t squared, I won’t be able to mount it properly on the frame.

If you have a pieced backing, please ensure that your seams have been ironed flat. Press open a 1/2” seam allowance on backings.

Precision centring a quilt top to a specific placement on the backing is next to impossible because I cannot see the backing once it is on the frame and covered by the batting.

Batting

Ideally your batting should be cut to the same length and width as the backing (5″ wider than the top on all 4 sides) but it can be slightly larger than the backing.

I carry Hobbs 80/20 batting.  I charge the same price as local quilt stores.  You may provide your own batting, but I recommend that you choose a good quality batting.

Inexpensive battings found in discount stores and fabric stores are thin and uneven.  They may cause tension problems during the quilting process.  I reserve the right to refuse poor quality batting.

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