Quilt Preparation

It is very important to make the proper preparations before bringing your quilt to a longarm quilter.  The quilter can only do so much with the quilt they are given, and the quality of the finished product will depend on the quality of your work.  If your borders are wavy or have puckers you can expect that your finished quilt will too.  Wavy borders are quite a problem for a longarm quilter.  It is impossible to "quilt out the fullness."  However, there are some tricks.  A higher-loft batting, such as wool, can be used to take up some of the extra fabric.  Small tucks and, in some instances, folds may be taken to create a flat border when there is too much fabric.

To get the best finished product, without puckers and folds, always measure your borders to fit your quilt.  Also check to make sure you are sewing consistently with a 1/4" seam.  It is amazing how much extra fabric can end up in a quilt when your seam is off!  Accurate cutting is also a must.  When your quilt top is finished it should lay flat, without ripples or waves in the borders or the body of the quilt. 

It is important to make sure you always use quality cotton fabrics from your quilt shop.  Poor-quality fabrics have a lesser thread count, will fade, and may not stand up to washings.  You've put so much time into your quilts - use quality fabrics!  You may also get "bearding" with poor-quality fabrics.  Bearding happens when little batting fibers come out with the needle, usually on the quilt backing.  Tightly-woven fabrics can also increase the chances for bearding.  Bed sheets are an example of a tightly-woven fabric, and although convenient, are not acceptable as a quilt backing. 

Your backing fabric should complement your quilt top.  Keep in mind that the bobbin thread used on the back of your quilt will need to be similar in color as that of the top thread.  If not, you will see little dots of the other thread ("pokies").  

Some basic "rules" apply when preparing your quilt for a longarm quilter: 

• The quilt backing must be at least 3" larger than the quilt top, ON ALL SIDES. 
• If piecing your back, make sure to remove the selvages for an even pull and easier needling.  Selvages may be left on the outside edges of the quilt backing as they will not be sewn into the quilt.
• Make sure your backing is square and even on all sides. 
• Loose threads should be trimmed from the quilt top to make sure the longarm foot doesn't get stuck or tangled on them.  Loose threads should also be trimmed from the back of the quilt if there is a chance the threads may be visible through light-colored fabrics.  If not trimmed, your quilt will have "varicose veins."  Never a good look.
• Mark the top and bottom of the quilt and/or backing, if directional.  Do not assume your quilter can tell which is the top and bottom.
• If you are supplying your own batting make sure it is also 3" larger than your quilt top, on all sides.  Also test to see that it is strong enough to be loaded onto the longarm.  A good deal of pulling and tugging is necessary to load the batting and some battings will rip, stretch, or pucker.  Also make sure the batting you wish to use makes sense with your quilt.  If your quilt has extra fabric, you may want to choose a wool or a batting with a higher loft to try to absorb some of the excess fabric.  Wallhangings usually do well with a flat cotton like Warm and Natural.  Batik quilts look best with wool because the needle is able to glide through it, compensating for the added drag from the tightly-woven batik.
• Bring your quilt, backing, and batting (if supplying your own) in separate pieces.  No pinning or basting is required, which is one of the beautiful things about longarm quilting! 
• Make sure ALL pins have been removed from your quilt.  Running over a pin with a longarm machine can damage the machine.
• Check your seams for holes.  The sewing foot on the longarm can get stuck in the hole and literally rip a hole in your quilt.  Yes, this has happened, and no, it isn't pretty! 
• Press your top and backing and fold your quilt nicely.  It is not necessary to put on a hanger. 

These steps help ensure a beautiful finished product.