Quilt Prep Guide

Quilting Preparation Guide

Steps to be taken before Quilting services to ensure the best quilting experience for you and for me, please complete the following before dropping off or mailing your quilt top:

  • In order to properly load your quilt, your backing must be 4” longer than your top on all sides (example: quilt top dimensions=60” x 60”; backing dimensions=68” x 68”). Max quilt top size is 120”. *Note: For best results, ensure your seams run parallel to table bars. For most quilts, this means that when looking at your quilt top right-side-up, the backing seam will run horizontally along the back. 
  • Ensure the use of at least a 5/8” seam allowance with selvages removed and press the backing seam open to lay flat.
  • Bed Sheets and Batik Backings will not be accepted, as they cause inconsistent stitching and constant thread tension problems due to the differences in weave and the manufacturing processes of these items.
  • Ensure all pins are removed when trimming all excess threads on the front and back sides of your quilt top. Timming excess threads prevents shadowing. Shadowing is when dark threads show through lighter fabric; however if this does happen, there are tools to fix this, even after quilting. 
  • Please wait to put embellishments like beads or buttons on until after the quilting is complete
  • Check for popped seams, especially on the sides. We recommend running a basting stitch within the seam allowance on the edges to secure side seams and to help keep your quilt square. This is extra helpful for quilt edges and borders lie flat that are on the bias.  
  • Wavy borders can result in small puckers or tucks. If your quilt is not squared and/or does not lay flat, it will cause wrinkles, pleats/folds and puckers/bunching on the top, bottom or sides of your quilt.
  • To the maximum extent possible, top and seams must be pressed well and neatly folded on intake. I do not re-press quilt tops on intake and extra crinkly tops and backings may incur additional fees.
  • If the top or backing are directional, please mark each with a safety pinned note.

Disclaimer - Anne’s Mountain Quilting is NOT responsible for damage to the quilt due to open seams.  AMQ reserves the right to return a customers quilt at the customers’ expense.

Fullness Disclaimer – Wavy/Fullness, puckers and/or tucks in a quilt top cannot always be quilted out. I cannot guarantee that puckers and tucks can be smoothed out and/or not sewn in.  Waviness or excessive fullness in the borders may result in quilt top corners not being square.  Starting off with a flatter and square quilt top will result in a completed flatter quilt outcome.