A Good Machine Quilting Service
Prevents Heart Burn

Solving the quilting dilemma requires some level of a machine quilting service.

Either you have to try your hand at learning this skill or you can hire a reputable person to do the quilting for you.

You will quickly decide what you enjoy the most...piecing, applique, designing – or is quilting the best part of the project for you?

Answering the following questions is paramount before deciding on whether to quilt.

A Unique Quilt Top
Should be Treated as Such

• Does the end use justify many hours of quilting?
• Will the baby quilting justify the multiple washings? 
• Will the art quilting enhance the quilt design?
• Is the quilting too fussy for the piecing?
• Is the material too 'busy' for intricate quilting stitches?
• Does the quilting design fill all the space or will areas look unfinished?
• Does the block quilting show on the fabric?
• Does the quilting design seem like an afterthought?
• Does the quilt need straight lines for a more bold effect?
• Does the quilt need curved quilting designs for a softening effect?
• Does the quilt need areas highlighted with heavy quilting such as stippling or echo quilting?
• Does the choice of thread complement the quilt?
• Will the quilting support what I’m trying to say in the quilt?
• How will I feel when I look at this quilt tomorrow?
• Does the batting require lots of quilting stitches?
• Does the quilting show consistent density of stitching in order to minimize puckers or ripples?
• What kind of patterns am I attracted to when looking at other quilts?
• Am I ready to quilt a quilt? Have I solved the machine quilting service dilemma? 
• Use our Quilting Service Order Form if you want to hire out your quilting!
• Use our Contact Us page if you have any questions or would like to discuss your quilting design.
  

Three Styles of Machine Quilting Services

Pantograph or Edge-to-Edge Quilting:

With a pantograph, a design is quilted from one edge of the quilt to the other, and then repeated. A pantograph may also appear only in borders.

Any quilt design not taken Edge-To-Edge is considered custom quilting. Pantograph quilting is generally less expensive than custom quilting.

Custom (or free hand) Quilting:

This is any design not quilted edge-to-edge. The designs are more intricate and emphasize particular elements such as blocks, sections, or borders. Due to more extensive planning and longarm machine set-up, custom quilting is more expensive.

Many quilters will also use a combination of styles; pantograph on the interior, with a custom design on the border or vice versa.

Heirloom Quilting:

A more dense and detailed version of custom quilting. Free hand quilted designs, small stippling, echo quilting, intricate feathers, grids and cross hatching, and multiple quilting designs on one top are typical of heirloom quilting.

Definitions as posted in "American Quilter" magazine, May 2008 "Choosing a Professional Quilter"

Pricing for Machine Quilting Services

Service:

We are only a phone call away. Let us discuss your no-obligation quilting needs. We offer many quilting designs from which to select. If you don't find what you like we can design it for you. We listen and encourage your input.

I offer long arm computer quilting; using an HQ Fusion with the ProStitcher...I am able to handle any size top up to a king-size bedspread. I strive to do quality work and treat each quilt top as if it were my own...lots of TLC (tender loving care)! I also offer piecing of tops for a flat charge. If there is a great deal of detail we can work something out by the hour.

Batting:

You provide the batting. I recommend Quilters Dream, Dream Blend or Warm and Natural. I stock these brands and will be happy to supply just the right amount. Please see the rate sheet for the various prices. If you have a special preference, we can discuss that too.

If you are in the area, please feel free to stop by and see my work shop and samples of my work. You will be impressed.

Pricing:

All prices are negotiable as each quilt top is unique and one of a kind….

Preparation:

It is important to prepare your top by pressing it carefully and removing all loose threads on the front and back. If a machine quilting service has to remove an extensive amount of threads it will most likely result in an extra fee.

The quilt backing should be seamed with a half inch seam, and be at least 6 inches larger than your top in both width and length.

If the backing is seamed please remove the salvages, press the seam open, and run the seam horizontal. One can understand that all these steps is for the "one who pieces"  rather than the one who "quilts".

If you prefer to provide your own batting be sure it is 4-6 inches larger than the top in both directions.

You might want to get a clearance from the quilter with what type of batting you prefer as there are pros and cons for each of them.

I prefer not to use a low grade batting but most of the others can be worked with. Remember that the top thread color and bobbin thread color is the same.

I quilt with King Tut Thread or top quality thread…I have a variety of variegated threads on hand.

Note: You loose approximately 3-5 % "take-in" when sewing out any quilt pattern.

A Machine Quilting Service
Has a List of Do's and Don't to Follow

• Don't baste your quilt, it will only result in additional charges to remove the basting stitches!
• Don't skimp on your quilt batting. It should be a minimum of 4 inches wider on the sides & 4 inches longer on the top & bottom of your quilt top.
• Your quilt Backing should be a minimum of 5 inches wider on all sides, top and bottom. Any machine quilting service will need to allow for the "draw in" caused by the thread tension settings on the sewing machine
• Measure the center of the quilt top vertically & horizontally. Then measure the  4 outside edges. Sometimes there will be as much as 1-5 inch difference in measurements. Baggy borders are difficult to work with and can cause tucks & puckers to occur. I will take every precaution possible to avoid this problem.
• Mark the top of your quilt at the center point. Do not mark with pins or safety pins. Pins will leave holes in your quilt top. Marking should be done 1/8" from edge.
• Please ensure your seams are closed along the edges of your quilt.
  
  Don't add embellishments to the top of the quilt prior to quilting.  (Exp: buttons, prairie points, etc) Machine quilting services generally charge extra to go around them.
• Do clip all loose threads on both the front and back sides of your quilt. Loose threads can cause snagging or uneven stitching. On lighter fabrics, loose threads will show through, causing an unpleasant look.
• Don't skimp when pressing the quilt top and quilt backing. Be sure they both are free of wrinkles. If you have pieced your backing fabric, please seam with 5/8" seam allowance and press open. This will ensure a stronger seam throughout the life of the quilt.
• Don't abuse copyright laws. Any pattern that is copyrighted must be purchased for your use. Include the design on a flash drive or USB drive. They will be returned with your finished project. If you have a picture of a simple design, I can digitize it.
  

Shipping Suggestions for a Quilt

• Be sure to print and complete the Quilting Service Order Form. You will need one for each quilt you are sending.
• Place your quilt top, backing fabric, machine quilting service order form all in a protective plastic bag and seal it.
• Use a clear packing tape to seal your box. Run tape around ALL open edges of the box. The rule is to overdo rather than under do!
• Put clear tape over your address label and return shipping address to avoid water damage.
• You will want to insure your quilt. It took you a while to piece your masterpiece, so insure it for the cost of materials at a minimum. Packages can get lost in shipment. By insuring a package it makes it easier to trace.
• Use any type of shipping service you desire. All shippers come to this location.
• Ship to the address listed on the Machine Quilting Service Order Form.
  

Easy Quilt Patterns

Machine Quilting Patterns

Machine quilting Patterns Page2

Machine quilting Patterns Page3

Continuous Line Quilting

Continuous Line Quilting Page2

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