Trim all loose and trailing threads, as they are very unsightly when showing through the quilt.
It is worth taking the time to do this job carefully as it makes a much better finish to the quilt.
Press your quilt top well and make sure all seams are pressed facing the desired direction, especially for stitch in the ditch as it is not possible to stitch if seams are pressed flat as there is no “ditch.”
Do not baste any layers together
Indicate the top of the quilt with a piece of paper pinned with a safety pin
If supplying the backing and wadding yourself they need to be at least 4inches lager than the quilt top all the way round.
If supplying your own backing please make sure all pieces are the same length, it is SQUARE and all selvage's have been removed and pressed flat.
Remove all pins ( ouch!!!) and basting.
BORDERS Make your quilt fit the border, not the other way around. Taking the extra time to apply the border properly will result in a nice, flat, square quilt. First measure the quilt from side to side through the centre, then top to bottom, through the centre. This will give you the actual length and width of the quilt top. Measuring through the centre allows you to be sure the sides are equal after the border is added. Second step is to pin the border to the quilt top. Fold the border in half to find centre, and mark, then in half again to find quarters and mark again. Do the same with the quilt top. Pin border to quilt top matching these marks. If there is a noticeable difference in size from one side of the quilt to the other, measure both sides of the quilt and through the centre in the same direction, average these three measurements. This will square up your top nicely when the borders are added. This does take some extra work, but I think you will be pleased with the results and it certainly makes for a much better finish to your quilt. |
Longarm Quilting 
