The following is to be used as a guide. You are welcome to ring me if you have any questions. If your quilt is ready, please give me a call on to arrange a drop-off. It is usual for Professional Machine Quilters to have a waiting list. If you are working on a quilt, and need it quilted by a certain date, it is advisable to advance book to reserve a time slot to have it machine quilted.

Size of Batting and Backing

Both the backing and batting needs to be minimum of 4 inches larger on all sides as the quilt top. This is because the quilt layers are pinned onto large rollers, and held with clamps at the sides. For example if the quilt top measures 60 inches by 80 inches, then the backing and batting needs to measure a minimum of 68 by 88 inches. Please ensure that the backing fabric is square - that is, parallel sides and right angle corners.

Preparing your Backing

Usually the backing will need to be pieced, typically with one seam. Remove the selvages along the seam line. If you choose to have a more elaborately pieced backing, please note that it is difficult to exactly centre a quilt back due to the way the machine rolls the quilt forward. Therefore, it is better not to piece a back with a border. Unless requested, I will not centre backing. I can however roughly centre backing (within around two inches) if asked to do so at the consultation.

Choice of backing fabric

For your backing fabric choose 100% cotton, with a similar weight and feel as the quilt top. Fabrics that tend to stretch easily, or pull out of shape are not good choices as backing fabric.

Choice of backing fabric colour

Take into consideration the thread colour you wish to use on the top of your quilt when choosing your backing fabric colour. I will use the same colour thread, on both the top and bottom of the quilt.

Choice of batting

Take into consideration what you plan to use the quilt for. Then choose a batting that you like the feel and look of, or be guided by the staff at your favorite patchwork shop. My favorite battings are Matilda's Own 60% Wool - 40% Polyester, and Hobbs Polydown.

Preparing your quilt top

Remove all loose threads. Ensure that your piecing is not coming apart. If the border is pieced ensure that the seams are not coming loose at the edges. Check to make sure all pins have been removed from the quilt.

If your quilt top is not flat, some quilting designs are better than others in disguising these bumps and dips. Sometimes if the borders are too wavy it would be better to take them off and re-do them.