1. Make sure your quilt top has been pressed and all threads cleaned up. Loose dark threads left on the back of the quilt top can really detract from the quilt if they are caught between layers.

2. If there is a difference between the top and bottom of your quilt top, mark the top of your quilt top with a safety pin.

3. Please be sure all seams are secure.

4. It is very important that your top is square. If there is a problem with the squareness of the top, there may also be a problem with how the quilting design lays on the quilt.

5. Please do a row of stitching about 1/4" from all outside edges. This prevents seams from popping open and also helps to keep your quilt stabilized, especially if you have bias edges on the outside border. Do not use a serger for this.

6. If you have selected a pantograph (all over pattern) and have a preference, please specify whether you want the pattern to go vertically or horizontally on the quilt.

7. If there is any fullness in your quilt or ruffles in your borders, I will do my best when quilting to try to ease in the fullness. But quilt tops with these problems may have tucks and pleats after the quilting is complete.

Backing

I stock quality muslin both in bleached and unbleached. Please see my Services and Pricing pages for more information on this. If you would like to send your own backing fabric, please make sure of the following:

1. Please make sure it is similar to the thread color being used on the top. Having a dark fabric and light quilt top will result in a less than desirable stitch. I use the same color thread on the top as on the bottom, or a clear nylon thread for one or the other. For example, if you have a black backing and a light color quilt top I suggest using a light color thread. However, I also will be using the light color thread on the back creating too much of a contrast to the black backing. If a dark bobbin is used with a light top very tiny portions of the bobbin thread might be visible on the top.

2. Fabrics need to be 100% cotton to get the best results. Poly/cotton and other fabric blends stretch differently and can cause puckering during quilting. Please do not use sheets as the higher thread count can cause skipped stitches and other irregularities in the stitch quality, and cause problems with thread breakage in my machine.

3. If your quilt top fabric has been prewashed, you should prewash the backing fabric also.

4. Remove selvages from backing fabric before seaming.

6. Please make sure backing is cut square also. Use a 90 degree ruler to make sure it is square. If you are seaming the backing, make sure all seams are square also. Once the backing is loaded on the machine it cannot be readjusted, so please keep this in mind.

7. Press all seams open.

8. If your backing is pieced, stitch the backing 1/4" on all sides. Again, this stabilizes it.

9. Press and fold neatly if mailing or place on hanger if delivering.

Batting

I stock Hobbs battings: Heirloom 80/20 cotton/poly blend in white & black, Heirloom 100% cotton w/scrim, Heirloom organic unbleached cotton, Heirloom washable wool, and Coud Lite 100% polyester. All of these battings are favorites as they create spectacular results in the weight and feel of the finished quilt. Please refer to the Services and Pricing pages for the cost. If you would rather use something else and it is not on the list below please inquire about it before sending.

While the above battings are highly recommended the following battings will be accepted.

- Warm & Natural needled cotton by The Warm Company

Please note there are some battings that do not work well on the longarm quilting machine. Battings that pull apart easily, shred, or bunch are difficult to use. . . . .

The following battings do not work well on the longarm machine:
Mountain Mist 100% natural cotton
Quilter's Dream Cotton
Soft Touch cotton by Fairfield
Poly-fil Traditional batting by Fairfield
You may be requested to change your batting.

Battings need to be at least 5" to 6" larger on ALL sides of the quilt. For example . . . if you have a 60" x 60" quilt, you will need to supply batting in the minimum size of 70" x 70". This will supply the needed 5" to 6" on all sides of the quilt.

Please do not cut your battings if they are packaged. Send in the original packaging or send along the bag they came in.

Miscellaneous:

If you are shipping your quilt to me, please send it in a box large enough to hold the finished quilt.

Do NOT pin or baste quilt layers together.

If I am applying your binding, please include fabric and specify the desired finished width. Binding is applied using the French-fold (double binding) or the single binding method. Please specify which you prefer. Single binding is preferred for wall hangings or quilts that will not be used frequently. It is also used for scalloped-edge quilts. French binding is the most durable edge finish for bed quilts because of the extra thickness.

**Please note -- I reserve the right to refuse any quilt.