Follow these steps to make sure your quilt is "longarm ready" so it loads flat, quilts cleanly, and comes back looking the way you imagined. Tick the boxes as you go; this page remembers them on your device.
Print it, or tick it off as you go.
1. The quilt top
Square it up. Make sure the top is squared and lays flat. Wavy borders lead to pleats or tucks during quilting.
Check the seams. Every seam secure. An open seam can catch the hopping foot and tear.
Press, press, press. Press all seams flat. Pressing to the dark side or "spinning" intersections reduces bulk for the needle.
Clip your threads. Trim loose threads on the back. Dark threads shadow through light fabrics once quilted.
Mark the top. If the quilt is directional, safety-pin a note reading "TOP" to the upper edge.
2. The backing fabric
Size matters. Backing must be at least 4–6 inches wider than the top on all four sides. A 60"×60" top needs at least a 68"×68" backing.
Square the backing. Straight, square edges load evenly onto the rollers.
Remove selvages. If you pieced the backing, trim selvages out of the internal seams to prevent tension issues. Outer-edge selvages can stay.
Press the seams open on a pieced backing so there's no ridge under the quilting.
3. The batting
Size requirement. Like the backing, batting should be 4–6 inches larger than the top on all sides.
Longarm-friendly. If you bring your own, make sure it's good quality and suitable for a longarm. We stock premium Quilters Dream and Hobbs 80/20 if you'd rather skip this step.
Let it relax. Unroll packaged batting a day ahead so the creases drop out.
4. Final touches
No embellishments. Buttons, sequins and heavy embroidery go on after quilting. They break longarm needles.
Stay-stitch pieced borders. If the outer edge has lots of seams, a stay stitch 1/8" from the edge keeps it from stretching.
Pick a pattern and thread. Browse the edge-to-edge pattern library and thread palette in your portal, or let us suggest something at your consultation.
Bag it. Fold the top and backing separately, label each, and put them in a clean bag.
Shipping tip. When mailing your quilt, put the top and backing inside a sturdy, scent-free plastic bag (a kitchen bag is perfect) inside the cardboard box. It protects your work from moisture or "accidents" on the journey. Ship insured and add tracking; we email you the moment it arrives.