procedure for taking in quilts
What to Expect
Drop-Off Consultation
Once you have submitted our interest form, Haley will contact you via text to schedule a time to meet on your drop-off date. Meetings will be held at my home studio - 131 Sanford Street, Rochester, NY, 14620. Once I see your quilt in person I will have a better understanding of the overall design. During this meeting we can finalize quilting pattern (or discuss a quilting plan so I can work on creating your custom design), thread color, any add-on’s you may be interested in etc. and finalize a due-by date. Turn around time for quilting services varies but typically is between 3-6 weeks. If I am able to complete the quilt before the due-by date, I will reach out once it’s ready!
When Your Quilt is Complete
When your quilt top is finished, I will trim your quilt (unless you would like to trim it yourself) to approximately 1 inch, send over some photos of the finished product and schedule a pickup time. Any extra fabric (and batting, if provided by client) will be returned with your finished quilt!
Preparing Your Quilt Top
Square the Quilt Top - The quilt top should be trimmed and squared as best as you can.
Stitch Around the Edge (optional) - Sewing around the edge of your quilt top with a 1/8″ seam allowance prevents outer seams from opening while handling the finished quilt top. While not necessary, this will eliminate any concern of seams coming undone while the quilt top is loaded onto long arm.
Trim Threads - Trimming threads from the back of the pieced quilt top will prevent dark threads from showing through the finished quilt. This is especially important if you are using light fabric or white fabric since dark stray threads will show through lighter fabrics. Don’t forget to trim those threads that poke through on the top!
Press Your Quilt Top - Press your seams and the entire quilt top. Giving your entire top one final pressing will help us give you the best results possible.
Mark the Top - If your quilt top or backing is directional, make sure to mark the tops of both with a safety pin.
Remove any Lint, Hair, or Threads - I suggest lint rolling the front (at a minimum) and back of your quilt top. I find that my quilts collect a lot of threads, fuzz, and pet hair (thanks to my 2 baying coonhounds and 2 sweet kitties) so it’s good to lint roll before its brought into the long arm room (which I try my best to keep pet free!).
Preparing the Quilt Back
How much backing do you need? - Your backing needs to be to be 4″ larger than your quilt top on all sides. So, if your quilt top is 71″ x 71″, then your backing piece needs to be 79″ x 79″ MINIMUM. If it’s larger than that, that’s ok too!
Square the Quilt Back - The squaring process for quilt backing is similar to quilting the quilt top. Just make sure the edges of both halves are cut evenly and they are all parallel/perpendicular to each other.