PREPARING FOR QUILTING TIPS

There are many things that will help your experience with a longarm quilter be a happy one.

1. Please press all seams on your top and back from both front and back. Many times we accidentally flip a seam when pressing.  Don't "iron" - this stretches your material and can actually put extra fabric into a quilt top.

2. Trim loose threads on back and front of both the quilt top and the backing. This is particularly  important on tops that have a light background.  Dark threads showing through are not pleasant.

3. If you have lots of seams coming to a point, consider pressing all seams open. The less bulk, the better for your longarm quilter.

4. When you add borders, you must measure your quilt top through the center and cut two borders to that length. Pin in place, sew, press and measure through the center for the other length. This must be done for each and every border you add. It sounds tedious, but doing so should insure that your top will be square when you finish. Please do not just 'slap' a strip of fabric on for a border. Your border will be 'wavy' if you do. Puckers and pleats could result when your top is quilted.

5. Squaring up backing is not difficult. Fold the backing in half lengthwise. You may need to fold it a second time in order to fit it on your cutting mat. Use your rotary cutter and ruler to trim the edges even. Next fold the backing width wise and using your rotary cutter and ruler, trim these edges even. Be sure that the backing seams are pressed open and pressed from both sides.

Bluebonnet Quiltery
1400 S. Chappell Hill St.
Brenham, TX   77833
1-979-421-2838