The old saying "it will quilt out" sometimes translates to "it will quilt IN!"

Proper preparation and construction ensure the best results in the quilting process of your prized pieced top. Rest assured that we are not the "quilt police" and do not scrutinize the construction of your top to see if all your points match or not ~ our personal motto is "finished is good" ~ however, there are a few tips that will assist both of us to come to a favorable outcome in the finishing of your quilt. Please have all seams pressed and trim those loose threads on the back ~ nothing worse than varicose veins showing through! And Please make sure your quilt top lays flat.

Longarm quilting differs from domestic machine quilting in that the components of the quilt, back, batting, and top, are not first basted together, instead they are loaded on the frame in a process that allows each to be held taunt. The backing is loaded first (see preparing your backing for photos) then batting is basted across  the top. Next the quilt top is centered and basted at the top and exposed sides. As the quilt is advanced the sides continue to be basted down prior to quilting that area. For this reason it is most important that your top lies flat so it will be quilted square.

Proper construction of borders will eliminate "wavy borders" that result in puckers or pleats being quilted in. Most quilt books will discuss the proper way to add borders by measuring the quilt top in three places, taking an average, then cutting the border to the exact length of that average. The border is then pinned in place and eased as necessary. It's a common problem to want to just add a strip of fabric to the side and cut off when you run out of quilt...but this causes rippling, or what is commonly called "wavy borders". Click here for the tutorial on how to eliminate wavy borders.

Every effort is made to work around "wavy borders" by easing in the fabric, however there are occasions that it is best to reattach the borders for a more pleasant outcome. Once it's on the machine, it's either quilted out or quilted in. It's your responsibility to make sure your quilt lays flat and is pressed well before the quilting process. If you have questions or concerns about border attachments please contact us and we'll be glad to give you more information. It's our priority that you be pleased with the outcome of having your quilt professionally quilted.

Easing in a wavy border