Quilt Preparation

Preparing the Top

Preparing the Backing

Check your seams. Make sure they are all closed and secure.
Trim stray threads from the front and back of the quilt top. They can show through the top.
If you have no borders on your quilt, stay-stitch the edge 1/8th of an inch in from the edge all the way around the quilt. This will prevent the seams on the edge from opening under tension.
Press well. Make bulky intersections as flat as possible. (I have had great results using a tailor's clapper for this purpose.)

Make sure that your backing is at least 8 inches wider and longer than your quilt top.
- Consider giving me a little bit more in the width. I can use it for testing tension after each bobbin change.
If piecing your backing, use a 5/8 inch seam, and press the seam open.
Leave NO selvedge in your backing.
Square up the backing.

Preparing the Batting - if you choose to provide it

I prefer to use Quilter's Dream or Hobbs in my machine.
Make sure that your batting is at least 8 inches wider and longer than your quilt top.
If your batting came in a package, open it up the day before bringing it to me. Lay it over a table to allow the wrinkles to fall out of it, or spritz it lightly with a wrinkle-release product and place it in the dryer for a few minutes to air fluff.