Longarming Tips
Before sending your quilt to your longarm quilter, consult our checklist to ensure it’s perfectly prepped for quilting.
Backing
- Ensure your backing is at least 8 inches wider and longer than your quilt top. If you plan on washing the backing, add an extra 3 inches to both the width and length.
- Press your backing to remove any wrinkles.
- For a sturdy seam when piecing your backing, use a stitch length of 2mm.
- If your backing has a directional pattern, pin a note to the top edge indicating which side is up.
- To help your backing lay flat, remove the selvages before assembly.
Top
- Always measure your quilt top in three places before cutting your borders. Use the average of these measurements to cut your borders. This technique ensures your borders will wave as little as possible.
- Inspect your seams! We all occasionally miss those seams that end up too close to the edge of one of the fabric pieces. Checking your seams while piecing your quilt ensures that the longarm quilter’s machine won’t get snagged on an open seam, potentially causing damage to your quilt or throwing the longarm machine out of alignment.
- Trim the threads on the top of your quilt as thoroughly as possible. While trimming threads on the back might be a bit tedious, if you want to avoid any threads showing through lighter fabrics, it’s up to you to trim them.
Communicate
- If you have specific ideas about how you want your quilt to be quilted, be sure to include a note in the bag with your quilt. For example: “Edge to Edge; I prefer flowery designs but not densely quilted.”
- Include your name and phone number with your quilt so the quilter can reach out with any questions or to let you know when your quilt is finished.
- Inquire about the expected turnaround time for your quilt. Please avoid bombarding your longarm quilter with daily phone calls to check if it’s done. If the turnaround time has been exceeded and you haven’t heard back, then feel free to contact her.