Preparing your quilt for professional long-arm quilting
Long-Arm Quilting Services
www.greatquiltations.com
Questions?  call 321-745-0500
Proper preparation on your part can make a big difference.  We don’t judge your quilt top for accuracy.  
All quilts are different and that’s what makes them so GREAT!  (We’ve only met one perfect quilter in
our lifetime and, quite frankly, she scares us.) We know you want the best and so do we.

For the best results, you will want to check the following before mailing your quilt top for long-arm
quilting services.  We do NOT add extra pricing for thread, set-up, or bobbins.  However, if there are
any of the quilt preparations with which you need assistance, such as pressing, seaming backing, or
correcting wavy borders, etc., we will be happy to do those for you at $20 per hour (minimum 2 hours.)
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CHECKLIST
WHY
Don’t waste your precious time pinning, basting,
or joining the layers (top, batting, backing) of your
quilt in any way.
 We put the 3 layers of your quilt on our frame
separately.
If you supply your own batting, please ensure that
it is labeled “suitable for machine quilting.”
 You want your GREAT quilt top to be the best quilt it
can be and some battings are not intended for
machine quilting (although most are).
Double-check your seams to ensure that they are
secure.
 It would be a shame for your pieces to separate.
Trim any excess threads on the top and backing.  
 Those “varicose veins” on and under your top are
probably not a look you will like.
Check your borders to ensure that they are not
wavy or flared.
 Your quilt top needs to fit your borders instead of
vice versa.  (It happens.) If you need help fixing this,
our experts are happy to provide free consultation.
Press your quilt top and backing to make sure
that your seams are flat and don’t contain
selvages.
 The flatter your top, the more accurate the
stitching.  Don’t worry about the minor folds from
folding it to mail.
Please use only 100% cotton for your backing
(and no bed sheets).
 Bed sheets cause poor tension and thread
breakage, as well as encouraging “bearding” of the
batting fibers.  Neither of us will be happy with the
result and we want you to be happy!
Make sure your backing is at least 6 inches wider
and 6 inches longer than your quilt top (for
example, if your quilt top is 60x80, then your
backing needs to be at least 66 by 86 inches).
 The sandwich is loaded on the machine with the
backing secured.  If it is not bigger than the top,
then the pinning will have to be within your border
which will then change the size of your finished
quilt.
If your backing is pieced, please make sure it is
squared (or rectangular).
 The straighter the backing, the better chance that
things will not be cock-eyed.
If there is a “top” to your quilt or backing, please
put a safety pin on the edge that you consider the
top.
 Most of the time we can tell, but if we can’t, you
could end up with the stitching design being
sideways or upside down. Artsy, yes, but that may
not be what you want.
Please do not add any embellishments – such
as beads, buttons, or bows – until after we have
finished quilting it.  
 The flatter your quilt top, the better the results and
the more accurate the stitching will be.
If you would like binding services (please note
pricing for this,) please provide the fabric –
generally 1-2 yards based on the size of the quilt.
 We can cut the strips (generally at 3-4” for a double-
fold / French binding) or you can.  We will return any
leftover fabric, if applicable.  
When mailing it, we suggest putting it in a plastic
bag (we like the extra-large Ziploc bags) before
putting it in the box.  
 Your quilt may accompany the mailman through
wind, rain, and hail, etc.
We also recommend adding insurance to your
postage.
 You’ve worked hard on your quilt top and deserve
to spend a couple of bucks to make sure it arrives
safely.
Then sit back, and relax (or get onto your next
project) while we do the rest!
 Your quilt is in caring hands.