Preparing Your Quilt For Longarming

This guest tutorial was written for us by Ashley of Hen House Quilting. Ashley is going to tell us everything we need to know about shipping our quilts off to have them gorgeously quilted on a long arm machine!

After hours of cutting, sewing, pressing, and stressing over the layout, your quilt top is finally finished! Your next step is to get it quilted. I’ve seen so many beautiful quilts that have been quilted using a domestic sewing machine, but sometimes you might want that extra special touch or perhaps it’s simply too large and won’t fit on your at-home machine. Having your quilt top quilted by a professional longarm quilter will give you the results you’re looking for, and there are things you can do to make sure your quilt top is prepared properly to ensure you get the best results possible.

Press the Top

The first thing you want to do is press your quilt top.  Press the seams in the back to make sure they are as flat as you can get them. This also gives you another chance to inspect those seams to make sure there are not any coming undone. After pressing the seams, you can turn the quilt top over and press the entire top.

Trim the Threads

This step is often overlooked because it is so tedious. If your quilt top has a mix of light and dark fabrics, I suggest checking for loose, dark threads that might show through the light fabrics. This is something that can be done while you’re pressing the quilt top for the final time.

Stay-Stitching

This is an optional step, but it can be really helpful and will make your longarm  quilter really happy!  Stay-stitching is helpful if you have seams or bias edges along the outside of the quilt. This helps ensure those seams don’t come apart and will help keep bias edges from stretching.  To do a stay stitch, you simply sew a straight seam approximately ⅛” in from the edge all around the perimeter of the quilt top.  

Mark the Top

Marking the top is another optional step.  Perhaps your quilt top doesn’t have an obvious top or bottom. Maybe you’ve chosen a quilting design that is directional or you have a preference for which way the longarm quilter loads the quilt top.  Marking the top can be as simple as using painter's tape to show the top and the center of your quilt.  

Measure

This step is important.  Please don’t assume that your quilt top measures the same as what is written in the pattern.  The quilt top needs to be measured so you know exactly how much backing to provide.  Most longarm quilters will require that your backing is at least 4” larger on each of the four sides for your quilt to be loaded properly. An easy way to measure your quilt top is to fold it in half lengthwise and measure from the fold to the outside and then multiply that measurement by 2.  You’ll want to do this for both the length and width of the quilt top.

Backing

As I said above, most longarm quilters prefer your backing be at least 4” larger on all sides. Making sure your backing is square is also really important. Whether you’ve purchased extra wide backing or you've pieced the backing, don’t assume its square.  You can square up your backing by folding it so that the selvedges are touching.  Once you’ve folded it and it is lying flat, take a ruler and line it up perpendicular to the straight folded edge.  Once you have the ruler lined up, cut off about an inch of fabric. You’ll want to then repeat this step on the other end.  I always suggest purchasing a little extra backing fabric so that once it is squared, you are not left with a backing that is too small. If you have pieced your backing, a horizontal seam is helpful in reducing bulk when the quilter advances the quilt, though a vertical seam is acceptable as well.  If your backing is directional or you want a specific side to be the top, please mark it.

Batting

Most longarm quilters will have batting that you can purchase. This is often the best choice for customers because shipping batting along with your quilt top and backing can result in increased shipping costs.  You’ll save money on shipping by simply purchasing from your longarmer.  If you’re looking for a certain type of batting that your quilter doesn’t offer, they may be able to order it for you or you can order it and have it shipped directly to them.  If you do choose to send your own batting, please keep in mind that it too should be at least 4” larger on all sides. 

What’s next?

Alright, you’ve done all of the above and you’re ready to get your quilt top into the hands of your longarmer! Perhaps you're worried that your quilt isn't good enough or maybe the idea of packing it up and sending it away makes you a little anxious? I understand these worries and hope I can ease them for you. 

First of all, your quilt is good enough - it is more than good enough!  I’ve been quilting for others for over 10 years and never have I refused a quilt.  No quilt is perfect, which is what makes them all wonderful and unique. No judgment here! 

Next, it may be your first time sending a quilt in the mail.  While every quilter may do things a little differently, here is what I encourage.   When you’re ready please fill out my request form on my website.  You then should receive an automatic response that summarizes the things I've talked about in this article.  If you have any questions, there is a section in the form where you can ask. I try to respond to those questions as soon as possible.  I always suggest putting your quilt in a plastic bag and then in a box or tear-resistant mailer. 

Once I receive the quilt in the mail, I will send you an email to let you know that I've received it.  When I'm getting ready to start on your quilt, I will contact you and finalize any details that have not yet been decided.  Once finished, I will send you an email to let you know that I’m done. I will also do my best to include photos of the finished quilt.   I carefully fold the quilt, place it in a plastic bag inside a box.  I ship everything USPS Priority.  If I can fit the quilt into a flat rate box, I will use that option. I also have larger boxes if the quilt is too large for the flat rate option.  I email invoices via PayPal and include shipment tracking information so you can prepare for arrival.

I realize this may be a lot of information to take in, but I hope that it helps you feel confident the next time you’re getting ready to work with a longarm quilter.  In my experience, quilters are genuinely nice people and love to help, so please don’t hesitate to reach out with your questions.