Preparing your Quilt for Longarm Machine Quilting
Your quilt top should be neatly pressed with threads clipped and removed. The batting should be at least 3 inches larger than the quilt top on all four sides. The backing should be at least 3 inches larger than the top on all four sides. This allows your quilt to be attached to the longarm frame for quilting. The backing should be squared up so that it can be loaded on the frame without any slack areas. If your backing requires piecing, it works best if the seam is 1/2 inch wide and ironed open. Please make sure the backing lays flat with no slack areas. If you've chosen to seam the selvedge edges, your quilt will lay flatter after washing if you clip the selvedge every few inches. It is probably best to remove the selvedges from this seam, but it is fine to leave the selvedge on any of the outer edges of the back.
Your quilt top, batting, and backing are loaded onto the longarm machine separately. Each layer is centered when it is attached to the machine, but it is impossible to exactly center the quilt vertically and horizontally with the backing. So if you have a special backing with borders or other design elements, it may not wind up exactly centered. If you have a preference, please indicate the top of the backing and the top of the quilt top by pinning a note to each.
Decide how you want your quilt quilted - the choices are Pantograph (an allover edge to edge design) or Custom (a freehand design that may have different designs in the blocks, sashes, and borders). You may also indicate "Quilter's Choice" if you want me to choose for you. It's a good idea to communicate how much you want to spend.
I have several Pantograph patterns from which you can choose, and I can purchase additional patterns if there's something else you'd like. If you're interested in perusing pantograph designs, take a look at Quilts Complete. If there's one you want for your quilt, just let me know.
Delivery Options for Your Quilt
There are several options for you to deliver your quilt. Please call or email me to let me know that you have a top you want quilted.
- I visit Thimble Pleasures Quilt Shop a couple times a week. If you so choose, you may leave your quilt with Thimble Pleasures for me to pick up. Please package your quilt in a paper or plastic bag. Label the bag with my name on the outside. Be sure to include a note in the bag with your name, address, email, and phone number, plus an explanation of the type of quilting you want, design and thread preference if you have one, batting preference or include your own, special instructions or deadlines, and whether you want me to contact you before I begin so we can discuss my ideas for your quilt. I will call or email you to let you know that I've picked up your quilt, and again to let you know when I've delivered it back to Thimble Pleasures. There will be an invoice in your bag. When you pick up your quilt from Thimble Pleasures, please leave a check for me with the ladies at the counter.
- You may request that I meet with you at Thimble Pleasures or some other mutually convenient location so we can discuss your quilt and you can deliver it to me at that time.
- You may request an appointment to meet me at my home at 9521 Sertoma Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516.
- You may mail or ship your quilt to me at: Singing Stitches Quilting Studio, 9521 Sertoma Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516. If you choose this method, please be sure to include all of the information in #1 above.
Pricing for Common Quilt Sizes*
|
Crib
| Twin | Full | Queen | King |
Mattress Size
| 27" x 52" | 39" x 75" | 54" x 75" | 60" x 80" | 76" x 80" |
Quilt Size**
| 36" x 60" | 65" x 88" | 80" x 93" | 86" x 93" | 93" x104" |
Square Inches
| 2160 | 5720 | 7440 | 7998 | 9672 |
Simple Pantograph (minimum price)
| $43.20 | $114.40 | $148.80 | $159.96 | $193.44 |
Detailed Pantograph (maximum price)
| $75.60 | $200.20 | $260.40 | $279.93 | $338.52 |
Custom Quilting (beginning price)
| $86.40 | $228.80 | $297.60 | $319.92 | $386.88 |
* Price estimate is based on quilting service only, and does not include the cost of batting, thread, and NC sales tax.
**Quilt Size (for other than crib size) includes a 13" drop on 3 sides and no pillow tuck.
