Customer Tip #5

#5 Give the quilter a general idea of what style of quilting you expect. Here are some examples of instructions customers have given me that I have found helpful. “No flowers, this is for a boy,” or “I like the one you did hanging up in the store,” or “All over pattern with separate border,” or “No stippling, I really don’t like stippling,” or “I always like what you do, so use your imagination.” If you want something really specific it is best to provide a photo. Please realize that all quilters have different styles, and a different hand, (think handwriting) so your results will vary with each quilter that you use.

Don't forget that you can get $10 off machine quilting now until March 31 2012!

Customer Tip #4

image

#4 Press your quilt top and back. Of course you pressed all of your quilt seams as you pieced your quilt, but did you give the top a good pressing once it was all complete? The majority of quilts that I quilt have backs with one big seam down the middle. It is best for me if this seam is pressed OPEN, so that it lays as flat as possible when I roll it up on my bars.

Don't forget to check out my New Years Special and find out how you can get 10 off machine quilting!

Customer Tip #3

#3 Stay stitch around the outer edge of your quilt to prevent unraveling fabric and seams. Quilts go through a bit of handling to load them onto a long arm machine. If pieced border seams are not adequately backstitched, they often times will begin to pull apart. Loosely woven fabrics on solid borders are also likely to unravel some. To sew a stay stitch, simply set your machine to a medium length straight stitch, and sew 1/8” in from the outside edge, all the way around your quilt.

Have you heard? I am having a $10 off special!

Customer Tip #2

#2 Fold quilt top, back, and batting separately. Do not baste or pin. Quilt tops and backs are rolled on to bars separately, so there is no need to baste or pin them, as the quilter will just have to undo it before they can load your quilt on the machine.

Because top and back are loaded onto separate bars, it is difficult to line up something on the top with something on the back. If you generally want a portion of your back at the top or bottom that is OK, but asking the quilter to line up seams on the top and back will give her a swearing habit.

Don't forget about my New Years Special! $10 off for new customer, and when you refer a friend! Woo Hoo!

Customer Tip #1

#1 Your back needs to be bigger than your top. And your batting too for that matter. I recommend that your back be at least 2 inches bigger than your top on all four sides. That is, it should be 4 inches wider and 4 inches longer. This is the biggest problem that I have with customers' quilts. There are many reasons your back needs to be bigger, but the bottom line is, you do not want the quilter to get to the end of your quilt, and not be able to finish because the back isn’t big enough. Here is an example of what I mean by 2" bigger on all four sides. In this photo, the back of the quilt is laying wrong side up with the quilt top centered on top of it.

Don't forget about my New Year's Customer special. Click here for details and to print coupons.