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​​​​Preparing Your Quilt for Longarming

 

At Arrow Quilting, I want to ensure your masterpiece gets the best possible finish.

To help me load your quilt onto the frame accurately, please follow these preparation guidelines.

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Backing & Batting: The "Longarmer’s Seam Allowance"

Your backing and batting must be at least 4 inches extra on all four sides.

  • The Measuring: Measure your quilt top in three places (top, middle, and bottom). If the numbers differ, use the largest measurement to calculate your backing and batting needs.

  • The Math: Add 8 inches to the total width and 8 inches to the total length of your quilt top.

  • The Reason: This extra "buffer" allows me to secure the fabric to the frame (on all 4 sides)  without skewing the grain. It provides "wiggle room" for tops that aren't perfectly square and gives me space to "doodle" while checking thread tension AND it provides a buffer for when batting and backing are not cut in a straight line.

  • Don’t Trim It: There’s no need to cut your backing down to size! I will offset the quilt top as needed to ensure you get the largest, most intact piece of backing fabric returned to you.

 

Is your backing already cut and doesn't meet the 4 inch extra on 4 sides? Don't panic! There is always a solution—usually just adding a "leader" strip of scrap fabric. Please contact me before your appointment to discuss our options.

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Preparing the Layers

  • No Basting/Glueing Required: Please keep your layers separate! Each piece is loaded individually onto the longarm frame.

  • Squaring Up: Backing fabric perimeter should be straight lines with 90 degree angles. This is where having intact selvage edges at two opposing ends comes in handy for loading it on my machine. Wonky cuts make the loading process challenging.

  • Directional Fabrics: If your top or backing has a specific "up" side, please mark it clearly with a safety pin and a note or a piece of painter’s tape.

 

Seams & Selvedges

  • The "Good" Selvedges: Please leave the selvage edges intact on the outer top and bottom of your backing. They provide a fantastic, sturdy straight edge for loading!

  • The "Bad" Selvedges: Please trim the selvages off your internal backing seams. Because selvedges are woven more tightly than the rest of the fabric, they can shrink differently and cause puckering after washing.

  • If you dread sewing the backing fabric together, please know that this is a service I also offer.

  • Pro Tip: Use a larger seam allowance (I’m partial to 1/2inch) for backing seams. Press them well—either open or to the side—to keep things flat. If you sew your seam with an ultra wide seam allowance, I can trim off the selvedge for you, as it is super easy to do when loaded on the frame.

 

The Final Flourish

  • Pressing: Ensure your quilt top is pressed flat. Pay extra attention to bulky intersections so the machine can glide over them smoothly.

  • Snip the "Whiskers": Trim any stray dark threads from the back of your quilt top. This prevents them from "shadowing" through your lighter fabrics once the quilt is finished.

 

A Note from the "Management"

Most importantly, please know that the Quilt Police do not work at Arrow Quilting.

The only judgment that happens in this studio comes from my kittens during our morning huddle, if I’ve forgotten to bring the snacks!

I truly love seeing the creativity and heart you put into every stitch. I can't wait to help you cross the finish line!

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