Best Practices and Quilt Prep for Longarming Services:
Quilt Top:
• Please have your top as square (or rectangular) as possible. This will facilitate proper long-arm machine loading and successful long-arm quilting. If your quilt top is not “squared” then most likely it will come back to you appearing skewed after the completion of long-arm quilting.
• Press your top flat, from the back, this will help you direct your seams.
• Trim all loose threads and repair any loose seam. Not doing this can cause our machine's foot to possibly snag the thread and rip your quilt.
• We recommend stitching a “victory lap” around your quilt top- a stitch line along all 4 sides of your quilt top, about 1/8" from the edges of your quilt. This prevents seams from coming apart while loading the quilt and will not be visible on your final product, as your binding will cover it.
• If your quilt top has a definitive top and bottom, please safety pin a note indicating the top edge.
• If your quilt top has embroidery, appliqué or folded fabric, please advise in advance; we need to talk about this aspect of your quilt. Depending on your requirements, this may require custom quilting at a rate of $35.00 per hour.
• Please keep all layers (quilt top, batting, and backing) separate. DO NOT baste the quilt top, batting and backing together.
Backing:
• Please have your quilt backing 5-8" larger than your quilt top ON ALL FOUR SIDES (right, left, top and bottom). EXAMPLE: If your top measures 40"x40" then your backing (as well as batting) should be between 50"x50" and 56"x56". The extra backing material and batting is needed to load the quilt onto the long arm machine’s leaders and side clamps.
• Make sure that your backing is squared (see detail below on squaring of quilt top and backing).
• If your backing is not made from one single width of fabric, we strongly recommend that you create a 1/2 inch seam that is horizontal to your quilt top edge. You can also piece the backing with 3 pieces of fabric with the center being the larger piece with all seams horizontal to your quilt top edge.
• Press the backing flat and from the back side.
• If your backing has a top edge please leave a note on the backing too.
Quilt Batting:
• Please provide quality batting that is uniform in thickness. Batting that is irregular in thickness will cause irregularity in finish quilt stitching.
• Batting shall be the same size as the quilt backing (see below).
Squaring your Quilt Top and Backing:
• Quilt top and backing should be square for best longarm quilting results. Remember: backing and batting must be 5-8 inches larger than quilt top on all sides (top, bottom, left and right sides).
Use the guide lines below to determine squareness and trim as necessary:
• Measure length at left, middle and right (should be close)
• Measure width at top, middle and bottom (should be close)
• Take two diagonal measurements (should be close)
Threads:
• We use high-quality threads designed for high-speed machine work for our quilting. If we don't have the thread for your project in stock then we are happy to special order it. Special orders normally take approximately 3-5 days to receive unless they are on backorder.
Preparing your Quilt To Ship:
• Please have batting and backing 5-8" wider on all sides. Just add 10” to 16" to your quilt top measurements. We will return all extra fabric which can be used for future quilt top projects.
• Fold the quilt top, batting and backing separately and place into a large plastic bag. Place in box for shipping.
Payment:
• We accept cash, check or payment via Venmo and PayPal.
• Final payment is required when picking up quilt or before we return quilt in the mail.
• Finished quilt will not be released until full payment is made.
Disclaimer: • We cannot promise absolute perfection. We are human, but we always provide the absolute best work possible. Our reputation depends on it. If your quilt top and backing are square (or rectangular as the case may be) and the borders lay flat, then we should not have any challenges.
This may sound like a long list of rules, but no worries - we will talk together throughout the process to make sure that any challenges are communicated and addressed appropriately!
Please ship to:
The Wandering Thread
c/o: YOUR NAME HERE
3124 Denwood Lane
Rock Hill, SC 29732
