Important Quilting Information

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How to get the best results from the longarm quilter

Use accurate quarter inch seams.

• When piecing your quilt top, keep in mind the importance of ¼ inch seams. Longarm quilting requires tension on your quilt top, any seam less than a quarter inch wide may pull out! Check for open/missed seams as well.

Square up the top

Square up each block as you assemble. It will be a great help with the top finishing even and square. 

As far as pressing the seams, it is your preference. Pressing seams open is a bit tedious, but in most cases the top will lay the flattest. Nesting the seams (My personal preference) is easy, and great for lining up pieces that need to match. The machine needle will pierce through any style seam you decide to use. Just remember to PRESS… Pressing gives the top a smoother overall look. 

Reinforce all outside seams

Once the top is all pieced together, check around the outer edges for seams that stop at the edge. With borders, stitch across each edge seam 1/8 “.  If no borders, stitch around the entire quilt top at an eighth inch to keep seams on the edge secure. Remember there will be tension.

Clip threads as you sew

When finished, give the top a good once over to clip loose threads that escaped first inspection. 

Now for the perfect backing! 

Sometimes that perfect backing comes from your stash and happens to be the exact same size as the top…If this is the case, stitch on 5 inch strips to match that backing and stitch it on all four sides. The back needs to be larger than the top so it can be loaded correctly onto the machine. The back must always be larger than the top by 4 to 5 inches! EX. Quilt size 70 x 90 needs Back 80 x 100 

Piecing 45” wide fabrics for a back works well. REMOVE selvages and stitch the back together horizontally with a half inch seam pressed open.

Backing fabric should be 4 to 5 inches larger on all four sides than your top.

Reason is: On the longarm machine the back is loaded and the top is centered over the back. It is the backing that provides the stability for smooth quilting on top.

Sheets will work if they are new, and all hems are removed and ironed flat. (used sheets Sag).

CHECK LIST

*Use accurate quarter inch seams. Press

*Square up the top. Press

*Reinforce all outside seams.

*Clip threads

*PRESS