Preparation for Long Arm Quilting

Preparation for Long Arm Quilting

Preparing the Quilt Top

Your quilt top must be square to be loaded and quilted successfully. Measure the opposite sides of your quilt to see how closely they match. If the opposite sides are off by more than 1-2”, you MUST correct this before sending it to be quilted.

Press your top flat, from the back, so you can direct the seams correctly. Trim any loose threads, especially those that may show under lighter areas of you block. Inspect your quilt top for any seams that have come loose, and repair them. While quilting at high speeds the machine’s foot can catch any holes or open seams and rip the quilt!

If your quilt has no borders or the borders are pieced, please stay stitch 1/8th inch around the outside edge of the quilt so that the seams don’t pull loose when stretched on the rollers.

If you want to embellish your quilt top with beads, buttons, or other objects, wait until the quilt is returned to you.

DO NOT layer your quilt top, batting, and backing together or baste them in any way. The quilt gets loaded on three separate roller bars, and it cannot load the quilt if it is already basted.

Batting & Backing

Cut the backing and batting 4 inches larger than your top on all sides. It is best if you trim the fabric is square so as to allow the backing to be pinned evenly to the canvas leaders.

If the backing is not square, the quilt will not roll properly, and the end result will be distorted.

If you seam the backing, make it a ½” seam and press open. Remove all selvages, both from seams and along the edges.

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

If you pre-washed the fabrics in your quilt top, then also pre-wash your backing