Quilt Prep - It's easy when following the check list!
 
 __Is the quilt top clean?
 __Are all excess threads clipped?
 __Are all seams secured? Please stay stitch any piecing on outer borders. 
 __Has your quilt top been squared? 
 __Has your backing fabric been squared? 
       Christian Lane Quilters offers a great tutorial at their website on squaring backs.
        They also sell wonderful wide backings. http://www.christianlanequilters.com/squaring.html 
 __Is the backing and batting 4" larger than the quilt top on every side? 
      Backing fabric should measure 8" more than you quilt top width & length, please check.
 __Press all seams well. 
 __Fold quilt top & backing neatly and place on a hangar or in a bag. 
 __Are you aware that machine quilting shrinks the quilt?
 __If directional, mark the top edge of your quilt and back with a safety pin.
 __Do not pin or baste the layers together.
 
  Note: Any preparations not completed I will have to do before loading your quilt. Therefore,
  I charge a fee of $10.00 - 20.00 per hour to do these preparations. I prefer that you  
  square your quilt top to your liking.

Quilting Tips & Terms Defined
Pantograph/Edge 2 Edge - One design is stitched from edge to edge and repeated over the entire quilt.

Custom - This includes one or more of the following: use of stencils, block work, stitch in the ditch, echo quilting, feathers and other motifs, background fills and cross hatching.

Batting - You may bring your own batting or I have batting available for purchase. For the best quilting results I do not quilt using pieced batting. You have worked hard on your quilt top, it deserves a good bat. Batting should be 3-4" larger on all sides than the quilt top. Batting brands I prefer which provide good results are Quilters Dream, Hobbs, & Warm & Natural.

Backing - 100% cotton fabric provides the best results. Please remove salvage edges before seaming. They create issues. 

Backing must be 8" longer and 8" wider than the quilt top, in other words, 4" larger on each side.

I prefer backing fabrics are not sheets or have borders if pieced.

I have found for larger quilts, 108" to 110" wide fabrics are often more affordable and do not require piecing. The local quilt shops often carry a selection of wide fabrics. If you are looking for specialty wide back, I suggest checking www.Christianlanequilters.com. They offer a variety of prints and colors and ship priority mail so they usually arrive within two days. 

Thread - I have a variety of thread colors to choose from. There will be an additional charge for specialty threads or color changes. I would be happy to discuss thread options when you drop off your quilt.

Binding - Bring your prepared binding & it can be attached to the front of your top for your hand finishing on the back I also do complete binding, machine sewn on the front and hand sewn on the back. Please see the pricing page for fees.

Basting - This service is for hand quilters that do not want to assemble the quilt sandwich themselves. I will baste the layers together across your quilt approximately 4" apart to stablize it for your hand quilting.

Special/Additional Fees - Preparation work listed on the "Preparing your top" page is necessary in order to load fabrics on my longarm machine and assure a quality outcome. Because this takes extra time to do, I charge a prep fee if it is not done in advance. I have provided a preparation check list to make quilting as quick and affordable as possible.