Preparing your Quilt for Longarm Machine Quilting

Press quilt top and backing. Proper pressing during quilt construction will make the final pressing simple to do.

• Batting and backing must be at least 8 inches wider and 10 inches longer than the quilt top. You can purchase Quilters Dream Batting from me or bring a favorite batting of your choice.
• Quilt top and backing should be square. Remove all selvedge edges. Seams on backing should be pressed open.
• Trim all threads from quilt top and back.
• Stay stitch around top and/or backing where there are open seams. This will prevent the seams from becoming loose while quilting.
• Do not baste or pin quilt top to batting or backing.

Proper preparation of your quilt top will result in a better finished quilt and can save you money. If you have any questions regarding you quilt preparation, please contact me at barbara@alleycatquitlworks.com .I will be happy to help in any way I can.

Scheduling
Call Barbara (814 883 8708) and schedule your initial consultation as early as possible, especially if you have a deadline to meet.

Your initial consultation will include:

• Measuring your quilt top and backing.
• Discussing quilting options, thread choices, batting and pricing.
• Completion of your order form, detailing the choices you have made for your quilt.

Borders
Cut your borders on the lengthwise grain of fabric. The lengthwise grain has less stretch than the width of the fabric. If you are piecing your borders, use a 45 degree angle for your seams. This will reduce bulk in your borders.

Measure your quilt through the center of your quilt, not the edges. This is the length to cut your borders. Apply the borders to your quilt by matching the center edge of the border with the center edge of the quilt. For larger quilts you may want to divide and mark your border and quilt into fourths or eights. Then pin them together and ease the quilt to fit the borders as you sew.

Please call me if you have any questions about applying borders to your quilt.

Quilt Backing
Selecting fabric:
Choose wide quilt backing fabric when possible. There are many beautiful fabrics in 90” to 120” width to choose from. Many quality quilt shops and fabric shops online have large selections of quilt backing fabric. Choose a busy print instead of a plain fabric. Consider the thread color to be used on your quilt and how well it will blend with your backing.

How to piece your backing:
Backs can be pieced horizontally or vertically. Remove selvage edges before sewing seams. Measure, square and cut each piece the same size, pin together and then sew using at least a half inch seam. I square my fabric by tearing it. Use whatever method you feel most comfortable with. Press all backing seams open. These hints will help prevent puckers and help keep your quilt back square.

How much fabric?
This chart will give you an estimate of how much fabric (42”- 44”) fabric to purchase to piece your quilt back and for your binding.

Quilt size	Backing	Binding
Twin 63 x 87	5.25 yards	.75 yards
Double 78 x 87	5.25 yards	.75 yards
Queen 84 x 92	7.5 yards	1 yard
King 100 x 92	9 yards	1 yard