Quilt Preparation
Machine quilting is
the process of stitching your pieced quilt top to a backing with a layer of
batting in between, using a decorative quilting pattern. In order to ensure the
highest quality finished product, your quilt top and backing should be prepared
as follows:
Quilt top and
backing must be squared and pressed. Backing must be 8”-10” wider and 8”-10”
longer than your quilt top. For example, if your quilt top is 80”x90”, the
backing needs to be approximately 89”x99”. There will be a fee for cutting
oversized backings to the proper size. Please make sure your backing is squared
(the two sides are at right angles to the two ends), the edges are even, and
the selvedges have been removed.
Please remove
selvedge edges from seams of pieced backings and press seams open) this does
not apply to patchwork backings). Do not baste or pin the players of your
quilt. If your quilt top or backing has a “top”. Mark it with a safety pin.
Some quilting designs are directional.
Quilt top must lie
flat and smooth in order to be quilted flat, without possible puckers or
pleats. Please make sure your borders are properly measured and sewn on so as
not to add extra fullness. The best way to ensure that your borders are the
proper length is to MEASURE the center of the quilt (not the edges), and
cut the borders to that length, then attach then to the quilt.
Please clip any
excess threads and remove all markings from your quilt top. Quilts with any
embellishments cannot be quilted.
Please note: Several years ago
I made the decision not to accept customer provided batting because I
experienced too many quality issues, and several serious machine maintenance
issues from using inferior batting. Please refer to the Price List page for
Quilters Dream batting options for your quilt.
Tips for Borders and Sashing
In order for your
quilt to be flat when it is finished, it is very important to MEASURE
everything! Here are some suggestions for sashing and borders:
When cutting
sashing and borders, cut the strips with the lengthwise grain of the fabric
(not selvedge to selvedge). The lengthwise grain is more stable and is less
likely to stretch out of shape.
To determine the
length of your sashing pieces, measure the center of your blocks. Be careful
not to stretch the blocks out of shape. If necessary, take several measurements
and average them. If your blocks are all supposed to be the same size, your
sashing pieces should all be the same size! Cut your sashing pieces to the
proper length, pin the sashing to the blocks, and ease one or the other if
necessary as you sew.
To determine the
length of your borders, measure the center of your quilt top in three places
and take the average if necessary. If the measurements are not the same or very
close, now is the time to figure out how to correct the problem! Cut the side
borders to the proper length. Mark the center of each strip and each side of
your quilt, use these marks to align the two. Pin the side borders to your
quilt top and ease if necessary as you sew them on. Repeat this process for the
top and bottom borders, measuring through the center of the quilt top.
DO NOT just sew an
unmeasured strip of fabric to the edges of your blocks or quilt top, and then
cut off the extra! If you do this, the corners will not be square, and the
quilt will not be flat!
I will do my very best, but if
the quilt is not flat and square before it is quilted, it might not be flat and
square after it is quilted!
If you have any questions,
please feel free to email me.
ValentineQuiltworks@gmail.com
