How to Prepare My Quilt and Select a Design

How Big Should My Backing Be?

Here's an easy way to remember: Four-for-four! :) I require the backing (and batting if you are providing your own) to be 4" extra ON ALL SIDES. For example, if you have a quilt top that is 60" x 80", your backing should measure at least 68" x 88". It can be bigger, not smaller. Extra fees may apply if I need to put extra time and effort into getting your quilt ready to load. If you have questions, please ask.

I'm passionate about being able to give you results you will love. Teamwork! :)

Tidy It Up!

Please press your top and backing for me so that it's nice and tidy and ready for me to load. Please also clip stray threads or raveling fabrics as best as you can. You might not be able to get them all, but to prevent dark threads from shadowing through your quilt top, please don't skip this important step!

If the seams at the edges of your quilt are not backstitched, you may want to consider adding a staystich around the entire quilt top 1/8" from the edge.

Square It Up!

Check to see that there is minimal "fullness" in your borders and that your quilt is as square as possible. In extreme cases, when your quilt is not square, it can lead to wrinkles, folds, or waves in your quilt top.

Lay your quilt flat on the floor. If there is a wrinkle that you can't seem to chase around the outside edge and can't get to lay flat, then you've got a bit of a fullness problem.

What Design Should I Pick?

I want this to be fun for you and not overwhelming! You have the option of having me make the quilting decisions for you. It all depends on your purpose for the quilt, sometimes "done" is best!

Some things to think about when selecting your quilting design...

How will it be used? In general, less dense and larger scale quilting designs will lead to a softer quilt - the more dense the design, the more thread is used and the more stiff your quilt will become.

Is there a particular shape in the piecing or motif in one of the prints that you love? This can be a good place to find inspiration for a complimentary quilting design.