Prep Your Top

Borders

In order to ensure that your quilt top has no fullness along the borders that can make it difficult to quilt on a long-arm machine be sure to measure your quilt top three times before cutting border fabrics. Measurements should be taken in three places throughout the center of your quilt top (Not on the ends.) After taking three measurements find the average of the three and then cut your borders. Be sure to begin pinning at the middle of the quilt top pinning to each end. Attach your borders.

Edge Stitch

If your borders have seams running vertical (ex. Piano Keys) then be sure to run an edge stitch a scant ¼ of an inch around the outside edge to ensure that seams do not come apart. (The edge stitch should be hidden when putting on binding.)

Square

 Be sure that quilt top and backing are both squared up prior to submission for quilting in order to prevent the end result being an un-square quilt and/or running short of material to complete the quilting process.

 Pressing and Cutting Stray Threads

Give a good final press to the quilt top and backing to make sure all seams are ironed flat. This will prevent any unwanted puckers or pleats in your finished quilt. As you are pressing be sure to cut excess strings in order to prevent dark threads from showing through light colored fabrics.

Backing

Backing and batting is required to have at least 6" of fabric completely around your quilt top. This is necessary to clamp, pull fabric taut, and to attach the backing fabric to the leaders. (Ex. If your quilt top measures 60" x 80" then your backing and batting should be 72" by 92") Additional fabric at the top and bottom are always appreciated and give you some great scraps once quilting is complete.

Seams

When piecing a backing, the seams on the backing feel better to the skin if they are running horizontal (side to side) rather than vertical (top to bottom). It is thought that the horizontal seams are stronger and hold up better to the quilting process. QBQ will quilt your backing with seams in either direction. You assume full liability due to seam placement if you choose to have them run vertically. Be sure that you have a square backing with no excess fabric on any edges making one side longer than the other.

Directional Fabrics

If your quilt top or backing has directional fabrics that must be lined up, please pin a piece of paper to the top of both top and/or backing saying that you wish this to be the top. It is simple to position a quilt from side to side to center a design but difficult to center a quilt from top to bottom.