How it Works

Whether this is your very first quilt, or you are experienced with many years of quilting, we will walk you through the process with attention to every detail. So, let’s get started…

1:  Preparing Your Quilt Top for Successful Machine Quilting:

• Careful pressing during quilt construction and a final pressing on cotton, steam setting–before machine quilting is a must. This will ensure seams lie flat and wrinkles are pressed out. This preparation will aid in the quilt lying flat, and avoiding any puckers or pleats during quilting, and your quilt will look its very best when completed.
• Double check that all seams are closed; if not, you’ll want to mend them or repair them before the quilt process.  We can do minor repairs, but it’s much easier if repaired before it is in the frame.
• Thread tails or excessive fraying on the back needs to be trimmed so darker colors don’t show through the top or backing.
• Make sure your quilt top lies flat and square. A quilt with fullness in the body or borders may not lie flat when loaded on the frame. When a quilt top is not square it can lead to wrinkles, folds, or waves in the quilt top. A quick check to see if your quilt is square is to fold it in quarters and see if the outside edges line up well.
• If you are unsure how to square your quilt or just don’t have the time, we can provide this as a service to you. Just let us know during the consulting visit.
• The top should be free of embellishments such as buttons, beads, etc.
• Please do not layer top, batting and backing before shipping.
• Mark the top edge of quilt top and backing with a safety pin if directional.
• Please don’t apply the binding, prairie points, or other edge finishing to the quilt top until after it is completely quilted.
• Finally, don’t hesitate to call if you need assistance or guidance preparing your quilt top.

??Step 2: Choose and Prepare the Backing

• Backing must be at least 4 inches larger than the quilt top on all four sides to properly mount your quilt in the frame. That means adding 8″ to the length, and 8″ to the width.  
  • Example: if your quilt top is 60×80, your backing must measure at least 68×88 inches.
• If you do not have the extra 4 inches of backing, a leader will need to be attached to the top & bottom of the backing fabric to mount it in the frame. Please call to discuss if you find yourself in this situation.
• Backing should be squared up and pressed. We can help you do this if needed.
• Non-pieced backing (108″) is ideal. However, pieced backings are fine too. If you plan to piece your backing, make sure the selvage is trimmed off from seamed areas before piecing. Piece the backing with a 1/2″ seam. Press the seam open, or to one side, whichever you prefer.
• We carry a variety of 108” and 110″ wide backings in many colors for purchase in the studio. If you don’t see a color or design you like on our site, please call as we have hundreds of options available through our suppliers.
• Press your backing well and fold carefully (separate from the quilt top) before shipping.
• You may leave the selvage edges on the outside edges.
• If you have pieced blocks for your backing, please note that perfect centering is not possible as the back of the quilt can’t be seen once loaded in the frame.  However, we can place it to show the area you want most to highlight. Just mark which area that you want to be highlighted.

?Step 3:  Choose Your Batting:

• Batting should be at least 2-3 inches larger than the quilt top on all four sides. (You do not need to trim the batting down if it is too large)
• Batting should be a good quality product for optimum results. We carry Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 cotton/poly blend in bleached white or dark options and Hobbs 100% Wool battings.
• You may also provide your own batting. Please note that some lesser quality battings do not produce optimal results though. And, some battings produce a different look and feel (e.g., soft draping, more/less dimension in the quilt design, heat retention, etc.). We recommend before finalizing your purchase that you call to discuss your desired outcome.

 Step 4:  Choose Your Quilting Design

• There are literally hundreds of quilting designs to choose from.   We have provided some popular E2E designs in the customer order form, but many more are available. Or, call us to discuss special design elements you may want.

Step 5:  Choose Your Thread Type and Color(s)

• We offer a variety of threads in 3 families to fit your budget and quilting effect desired—OMNI, So Fine and Glide. Also, we stock over 100 colors to create monochrome, blended, or complementary palettes to best accentuate your quilt project. NOTE: For online orders, we keep the ordering process simple by using OMNI as the thread of choice which comes in 172 color options and is included in the price estimate already.

NOTE:  Our quilt studio is a smoke-free environment