At Quilted for You my goal is to provide you with an excellent longarm quilting service experience. Quilting is a fun hobby so I want to help you enjoy this step. Currently I have a Grace Co. Q’Nique 19 machine that I’ve lovingly named Quinn. All of my quilting is done using this hand driven longarm quilter. I’ll go over the steps you’ll need to follow so that this will be a happy and simple process for you. Come on! Let’s start finishing those quilts!
How should I prepare my quilt to be quilted?
Press your quilt top
To prepare your quilt top for your longarm quilter make sure that you press it well, removing wrinkles and making your seams and the entire quilt as flat as possible. If you do this step at home it saves time for your longarm quilter and saves you money. This step will help reduce waves and puckers during the quilting. Using a spray starch will also aid in ensuring your quilt top will be as flat as it can be.
Square it up!
Check the squareness since you want it to be as square as possible. The easiest way that I’ve found to do this is to fold your quilt into quarters. Then use your ruler and measure. You will be able to see right away if there is something that can be trimmed or needs to be restitched. You can use long straight edges and measure but the more square you start out the nicer your quilt will look when it’s finished.
Put time into your quilt back
Your backing fabric should also be pressed and mostly free from wrinkles. It must measure 10 inches larger than the quilt top in both length and width. That means 5 extra inches around all four sides. This is necessary because there needs to be enough fabric to attach to the quilt frame and also allow for any shifting that could occur. It also allows for the possibility that the quilt isn’t square to match the backing or vice versa. The type of fabric that you use on the back will make a difference in the price. Some stretchy fabrics will require more attention and will therefore, cost a little bit more to quilt than your typical cotton backing fabric.
Choose your batting
The batting that you choose will be the same size as the backing. I have a supply of cotton/poly batting in my studio or I can order any type of batting that you prefer or you can provide your own if you so desire. I’ve used many types of batting in my quilts over the years and it is very much a personal preference on what to use. Batting should be chosen for the drape of your quilt, the warmth, and how you plan to use it. You can read more about the different types of batting and its uses at my favorite batting supplier.
What does hand driven mean?
The machine quilting that I do is hand guided or hand driven. That means that I control how and where the machine moves. I do not use a computer that follows a digital pattern as many other quilters do. This makes every quilt absolutely unique. Edge 2 Edge designs or all over patterns is what I offer (also known as E2E). I follow a paper pantograph or pattern. You can choose from the patterns that I have or we can work together to find one that you love from the many options available from these online vendors. I do not offer custom quilting at this time.
Choose your favorite thread color
Selecting the perfect thread color for your quilt is another fun part! You may have the exact color that you’d like to match or contrast with your quilt. That’s great! Let me know what that color is and I will purchase the thread through my local supplier. My machine doesn’t like certain types of thread so it’s easier for me to provide that for you. If choosing thread color is not your favorite part that’s ok! I’m happy to select the thread that I feel will enhance the beauty of your quilt.
What are the basic prices?
The size of your quilt will determine how much you will pay to have it quilted. I can quilt a huge range of sizes from table runners and placemats to crib to king size quilts with a maximum of 120 inches. The cost for most E2E patterns is $.025 per square inch. Some very intricate patterns will be $.03 per square inch. There is a minimum charge of $60 on any item.
Why are there additional costs?
Often, I have come across a quilt that needs a little extra TLC. These lovely quilts will be treated with the same careful attention as any other. But the more steps that I have to take to prepare them for quilting will cost a little more. The following explains some of the costs for the extra care…
- Pressing – seams, excessive wrinkles, borders – $30 per half hour
- Removing and restitching problem areas/borders – $30 per half hour
- Binding, which is to be provided by the customer, can be machine attached to the quilt for $.45 per linear inch with a minimum of $20 per project.
- A flat rate of $15 will be charged for using stretchy backing fabric such as certain types of fleece, minky or knit.
How do I request quilting services?
To request longarm quilting services you should start by filling out the Quilting Request Form. It will have all the information that’s important to get started. Once I receive that information via email I will contact you and we will discuss your order. I will inform you of the turnaround time and give you a more detailed breakdown of costs. I can answer any questions that you may have and I’ll get more information from you if needed. I accept quilts being dropped off to me or shipped. If you are local and choose to drop off your quilt please be aware that I will accept it only with advance notice. If you choose to ship it to me please insure your package (include tracking) and let me know that it’s on the way so that I may anticipate its arrival!
I look forward to working with you!