Quilt Preparation

Quilt Tops

  1. Clip all loose threads on the top and back.  Threads may show through lighter fabrics, and they may even cause uneven stitching or snags.
  2. If the quilt top has pieced edges, we recommend that you stay-stitch about one-fourth inch around the top to stabilize the edges.  This is a good time to check for loose seams.
  3. Square up the pieced top.
  4. Label the quilt top and back top, if necessary, using small note paper clipped with safety pin.
  5. Please don’t pin, baste or tack the quilt together.  This may cause issues with loading the quilt.
  6. During construction of, and when it is finished, press the top, being sure to press all seams flat.  If the quilt top requires pressing when it is received, an additional fee of $10 per hour will be charged.  Small wrinkles or creases due to mailing will be taken care of at no additional charge.
  7. Please note that fullness and puckers that have been pieced into the quilt cannot be removed by the quilting process.
  8. If you plan to add buttons, bows or other embellishments to the quilt, please save these until after the quilt has been quilted.  These items are difficult to quilt around and can cause damage to your quilt or the machine during quilting.
  9. Painted fabric has become quite popular and adds a lot of beauty to quilts.  Please take care to minimize the amount of paint, as too much may cause needle breakage or possibly tearing of your quilt.

Backing

  1. Backing should be a minimum of 8” wider and 8” longer than the quilt top.
  2. Be sure to square up and press the backing.  Uneven borders may result in stretched corners or wavy puckers or tucks in the side borders.
  3. Please do not use bedding sheets for backing.  The fabric content does not work well on long arm machines, sometimes resulting in thread breakage or skipped stitches.  Muslin fabric works well as backing, and is available from Loftworks (see pricing page).
  4. When choosing a backing fabric, you may want to consider matching the color of thread used.  I prefer to use the same color thread for the top and bottom of the quilt so that different colored threads don’t show through on either side.
  5. If the backing is pieced or seamed (i.e., two pieces seamed together), run the seams horizontally and not vertical.  Hint:  We recommend that you leave the selvages on the top and bottom of the backing.  By doing this, the backing rolls on the machine better and unnecessary stretching and puckering are avoided.  Please note that if the backing is pieced, it is more challenging to center it on the machine.  We cannot, therefore, promise that the pieced backing will be perfectly centered.

Batting

  1. All batting size should be trimmed to a minimum of 4” wider and 4” longer than the quilt top.
  2. If you are piecing the batting, be sure to square it up and press it.  We recommend zig-zagging the seams together; however, Heat Press Batting Together® works well, too.
  3. Batting is available for purchase from Loftworks Quilting.  See pricing page for details.
  4. Pre-washing batting is your choice.  Batting made of cotton or a cotton/polyester blend will shrink 5-10% when washed.  Polyester batting shrinks only slightly.  If you decide to pre-shrink your batting, please follow the package directions.
  5. Batting provided by Loftworks Quilting is not pre-shrunk.