Prepare your Quilt for
Great Results
Measure the Quilt Top and Back
It is important to measure the quilt top length and width, as well as the quilt backing. Accurate measurements ensure squareness and allows for accurate cutting of the batting and backing. When I receive quilt tops I measure top bottom and middle for both length and width to ensure any squareness issues are identified prior to loading.
Quilt Back
The quilt back needs to be 10 inches longer in both width and height than your quilt top. When it is loaded on the Longarm frame, clamps are used on each side. When the machine moves either by hand or machine it is key that the ruler base does not hit the clamps. For example a quilt top measuring 60x60 needs a quilt backing 70x70. This allows 5 inches all the way around the quilt when loaded.If your backing does not have the full 5 inches you can sew muslin or other cotton fabric on each side to provide the extra required. If your quilt arrives and the back is too small Quilt Mason can add the additional muslin required for correct loading for an additional charge of $10 per side.
Quilt Top
The quilt top should be as square as possible. It is a good idea to measure top middle and bottom to check. A non square quilt top cannot be quilted out.
Identify the Top with a safety pin
If your quilt has a top, please identify it with a safety pin to ensure it is loaded and quilted correctly. If the backing is directional it is important to also identify the top with a safety pin.
Trim any loose threads
Trim any loose threads from the top. Dark threads can lay over light fabrics and show through after quilting.
Carefully iron your Quilt Top and Back
Be diligent when ironing your quilt top and back. Carefull ironing will reduce the potential for bumpy seams that can distort the quilting, cause elongated stitches, puckering etc. A flat square quilt is a joy to work with and always produces the best outcome.
Pieced Quilt Back Seam
If possible, have any seam on a quilt back run horizontal to the top of the quilt. This saves fabric buildup as it rolls onto the longarm rollers. Seams on the back ideally should be 1/2 inch to provide extra strength. Fabric selvages should be removed prior to piecing a backing seam.
Square your Backing
Backing needs to be square to load on a Longarm. Corners need to be at 90 degrees and the sides must be parallel. Square backing is the key initial step to avoiding problems loading onto the longarm. Carefully measure your back and ensure it is square and 10 inches longer than the top for both length and width. If not additional muslin will need to be added.
Pre-Wash your Backing
Pre-washing your backing is essential. It is possible for backings to shrink 2-5% depending on the fabric. This will cause distortion after the first wash. In addition fabric sold these days has treatment to make it attractive if it sits on the shelf at your quilt store. If not washed the needle on the longarm will not piece the fabric easily and can caused skipped stitches and larger holes in the fabric.
Do not Pre-Wash your Quilt Top!
Do not pre-wash your Quilt Top. You may pre-wash fabric prior to piecing, but once it is carefully pieced and pressed it will fray if you wash it and distort the quilt.