Longarm quilting requires your quilt project to be mounted on the frame and stabilized with side clamps. Because of this it is important that you have your backing and batting set to the appropriate size.
Key points:
- Backing and batting should be 6-8 inches wider and longer than the quilt top. (That means 3 to 4 inches all around)
- Press and square your quilt top and backing. All edges must be square.
- While pressing, check top for holes and cut/remove loose threads in seams.
- Make sure your borders are FLAT! Quilting can not fully compensate for “wavy” borders. (See section below for tips on how to have flat borders)
Please note: Although I will take great care and treat your quilt as if it were my own, please be aware that puckers, tucks, “dog eared” corners and wrinkles can not be quilted out. Thank-you!
How to keep your borders flat:
- Start with the longest border. Measure three places across the quilt and average the measurements.
- Cut to the average length (preferably along the length of the fabric vs cutting pieces across the width and stitching them together (less stretching across the length).
- Pin and stitch easing to fit.
- Next do the same measurement and sewing sequence for the shorter borders.
- Repeat sequence above if your quilt has multiple borders.
DO NOT JUST TAKE A STRIP OF FABRIC THE WIDTH YOU WANT YOUR BORDER AND JUST START SEWING AND CUT OF THE END. THE FABRIC WILL STRETCH AND YOU WILL HAVE WAVY BORDERS!
