FABULOUS
FOR MANY, QUILTING IS THE LEAST FAVORITE PART OF THE
QUILTMAKING PROCESS BUT HIRING A MACHINE QUILTER SEEMS
DAUNTING. WE’VE GATHERED SOME TIPS FOR WHAT TO DISCUSS
UP-FRONT WITH A PROFESSIONAL MACHINE QUILTER AND HOW
TO PREPARE YOUR TOP TO BE QUILTED.
Don’t
FINISHES
Do
HELPFUL HINTS
10
THE AVERAGE
NUMBER OF
QUILT TOPS
OUR FACEBOOK
FANS HAVE
WAITING TO BE
QUILTED.
DO PRESS BACKING
SEAMS OPEN.
This prevents bulk where seams
might overlap. This matters
because there’s no way to
predict exactly where backing
seam lines will fall in relation
to the quilt top seams and
because most quilt top seams
are pressed in one direction. For
your backing, use a ½" seam or
a true ¼" seam (not a scant ¼").
DO SPECIFY WHICH IS THE
QUILT TOP AND WHICH IS
THE QUILT BACK.
If your backing is pieced or
reversible with the quilt top,
make a note as to the front and
back pieces. This ensures the
quilt will be correctly loaded
onto the long-arm machine
and the quilting motif will be
oriented properly.
DON’T USE SHEETS
AS BACKING.
Sheets have a higher thread
count than quilting cottons, and
the difference can cause skipped
stitches and broken threads or
needles.
DON’T ATTACH
EMBELLISHMENTS.
Crystals, buttons, beads, and other
decorative items on your quilt
top might get broken during the
quilting process or could break
the needle, which could damage
the quilt.
DON’T BASTE QUILT
LAYERS TOGETHER.
Long-arm quilters prep quilts to
be loaded onto their machines
according to manufacturer
specifications and personal
preferences.
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