For those of you who are new to the longarm quilting process below are some do’s and don’ts, and some helpful tips and hints for getting the preparation right if you choose to send your quilt to us for finishing.
 

A lot of time, effort and energy will have gone into your quilt top, and to give your quilt a really professional look and that wow! Factor please read all of the instructions below carefully. Please contact us if there is anything you don’t understand, or you are not sure about, it’s important to get the preparation right to ensure the end result is exactly what you hope for
 

Edge to edge quilting
This is an overall decorative pattern, sometimes referred to as a pantograph, of your choice worked on the Bernina Q-matic computerised quilting system. There are hundreds of patterns to choose from, and we will be very happy to help and advise you through your decision making process.
Preparing for longarm quilting
It is just as important to put the same amount of effort and energy in to preparing your finished pieced top and backing for the longarming process, as you did when you started your project, all of the necessary preparation will really make such a difference to your unique and professionally finished quilt.  
The quilt top, wadding and backing should all remain separate when delivered for longarming

 

Quilt top
•  Make sure your quilt top is square
•  Check any seams that are on the edge of your quilt, they need to be stitched right to the edge
•  If you have a lot of seams in your outer boarder stay stitch all the way around your quilt 1/8 of an inch from the edge, this will help to hold the stitching together and will be hidden in your binding
•  Make sure all your seams are securely stitched, please advise us of any loose seams, tucks, pleats or anomalies you are aware of – this can have a detrimental effect on the stitching process – ask me how I know!!! Conversely, if there are any loose threads on the top of your quilt please snip them off as well!!!
•  Press your quilt top from the back, snipping loose threads as you go, in particular any dark threads close to light fabrics – they will ‘show through’ on the finished top. You’re aiming for nice flat seams, there may be the odd twisted seam, it happens to the best of us
•  Please let us know how you attached your boarders; this can have an effect on the finished quilt – we can advise you how to attach boarders correctly
•  Please mark the top of your quilt, pin a post-it on

 

Wadding
There are lots of waddings to choose from, and your choice can affect your finished quilt. 
Please consider the ‘finish’ you would like to have, and also the use of the quilt when you are choosing your wadding. Quilts for babies will get a lot of washing, versus a quilt you intend to hang on the wall. We are happy to help and advise you in your wadding choice.
•  Your wadding must be a minimum of 4 inches larger on all 4 sides than your finished quilt top is

Backing
As much care should go into choosing your backing as you invested in your quilt top fabric choices, it is after all an integral part of the finished quilt. Please do not supply sheets or indeed sheeting fabric for you quilt back
•  You must ‘square up’ your backing, this is important for the ‘loading’ of the quilt back onto the frame.
•  If you are joining your backing remove the selvage's where you will be seaming your 2 pieces of fabric together, use a half inch seam allowance, and press the seam open
 

TIP:
If you are using a directional print fabric, make sure you cut off the right selvedge from one piece of fabric, and the left selvedge from the other piece of fabric! When you sew the two pieces of backing fabric together the design is running in the same direction 
•  Mark the top of your backing with a post-it if it is directional 
•  Please leave the selvage's on the other two ends of your backing; this is really useful when loading the back onto the machine rollers
•  Your quilt backing must be a minimum of four inches bigger on all four sides of your quilt top 

 

Thread
There is so much choice when it comes to threads for finishing your quilt. We have shade charts, and samples of the different finishes for your comparison, and if we don’t have your thread choice in stock we will order it for you.
The thread is included in the price