Following these instructions to prepare your quilt will help save time and
help defray costs:

1.      Do not baste your quilt together. The top and back are loaded on separate rollers
on the Longarm Machine frame., with the batting loaded last.

2.      Remove all selvages from your backing fabric before sewing. Because the thread count
is different, they do not have the same give as the rest of the fabric, and may
cause problems after your quilt is washed.

3.      The quilt top and backing should be clipped of all loose threads, both front and
back. Loose threads on the front can become entangled in the hopping foot,
causing snags and uneven stitches. Loose threads on the back will show through
as varicose veins on lighter fabrics.

4.      The quilt top should be free of embellishments such as buttons, charms, pins, etc.
They can be added after the machine quilting is completed.

5.      Check quilt for open seams or breaks and repair them. Open seams will catch the
hopping foot and cause tearing of the quilt top and sometimes even the backing.
These open seams are not able to be seen from the back of the machine, if you
are not having your quilt custom quilted from the front of the machine. Even
then, they are hard to see until your quilt is sewn fast to the quilting machine.

6.      Top should be pressed well. Seams may be pressed open or to one side. The smoother
your quilt top, the nicer the quilting will come out. Once it is stretched out
on the frame, your quilt needs to be flat in order for the quilting process to go well.    

7.    Your quilt backing and batting should be at least 8 inches wider overall and 8 inches longer
overall than the quilt top. When the quilt is mounted on the quilting
machine, we will position the backing so there are 4 inches extending on each
side of the quilt top, 2 inches extending at the top, and 6 inches extending at
the bottom. Please mark the top of your quilt if it is directional.
Backing should have all edges squared. This is very important to prevent puckers, and for the quilt to be mounted as squarely as possible on the machine. Please have your wide back quilt fabrics torn from the bolt or buy at least a half yard extra so that it can be straightened.

8.      Measure the center of the quilt top lengthwise, and then measure the outside edges
lengthwise. If there is more than 1.5 inches difference, it is possible that
your top will have tucks when quilted. Perform the same measurements widthwise.
The most common reason for measurement differences are stretched bias edges,
mitered corners that leave extra fabric on one or both sides of the miters, or
borders might be improperly applied.