Preparing Your Quilt Top
The longarm frame creates your “quilt sandwich”. Quilt top, batting and backing fabric are all separate and loaded one at a time.
First, the backing is loaded face down. Your backing should be 4-6 inches larger than your top on all sides. If your top is 60 inches wide, your backing should be 68 to 72 inches wide. And if it’s 90 inches long, your back should be 98-102 inches long.
The backing must be square because the topline of the backing determines how straight it attaches to the frame. Beginners can Google “squaring a quilt” for different methods to get your backing and quilt top square.
If your backing is pieced, make sure you alert the quilter which is the top and bottom of the backing.
If the backing is pieced, horizontal seams pressed open will offer the best results.
If fabrics in your quilt top have been washed, you should also wash your backing. Washing batting is not required.
If you buy your backing from Choice Quilting, you have the option to take it home, wash and iron it and return it for quilting, or, we will wash, iron, and prepare the backing for a fee. See Pricing.
Using a sheet for backing is not a good choice unless the thread count is very low. Sheets with very high thread count (think expensive sheets) don’t allow the needle to move freely like cotton fabrics do.
Second, the batting lays on top of the backing. Don’t buy cheap batting. See Ways to $ave Money and Choose Your Batting to learn about the different types of batting. In short, cotton and cotton blends of 80/20 or wool will provide the best results.
If your batting was packaged and folded, lay it flat and smooth out the folds for a few days before you bring it.
Your batting should not have holes or thin spots.
If you piece the batting, lay edges side by side and use a zigzag stitch to connect them. Do not make a seam in the batting.
Batting does not have to be perfectly square.
Batting should be at least 8 inches bigger (4 inches on each side).
Third, the quilt top is aligned and basted to the batting and backing and quilting begins.
The quilt top must be square and flat for best results. To see if your top is flat, lay it on a large table or the floor.
The seams must be pressed and stray threads should be clipped and removed. If not removed, the threads may show through the lighter colored fabrics on the top of the quilt for years to come.
After the seams are pressed, the quilt top should be pressed on the front, making sure all seams are flat and without puckers, broken stitches and lumps. If this is not done the puckers and lumps will become part of the finished product and broken stitches may create holes.
Spray starch and steam can be a big help getting your top to lie flat. But, if borders are full and don’t lie flat, the remedy is usually to remove them and sew again.
Check your edges. If you have any seams along the edges make sure they have not come apart. Fix them or baste around the outside edge 1/8 inch so you don’t have to remove it later.
Fourth, please call before coming and ask any questions you have. This will make our time together more productive.
Fill out the Quilting Order Form as much as possible before you come. Allow time to look at the design book if you don’t know which design you want.
Fold your top and backing as little as possible or bring on a hanger.
Drop off your quilt during regular business hours (Mon-Fri 3pm to 6 pm) or call ahead for an appointment for other times. Call for address and directions.
If you are mailing your quilt top, we should talk on the phone (not text or email) before you mail it and after we receive it to make sure you get exactly what you want.
Click here and print the Choice Quilting Order Form and Release of Liability. Fill it out and sign both pages and include with your quilt. UPS, FedEx or Postal Service (USPS) flat rate boxes include tracking numbers. Inquire at the PO for insurance beyond the base amount. Always wrap or bag your quilt top in plastic to avoid mishaps in transit.
I will call you when I receive the box and discuss your choices and answer your questions. I look forward to hearing from you or having the pleasure of meeting you in person.
Happy Quilting,
Barbara Torres, Owner