Prepare Your Quilt

Prepare your quilt for longarm quilting

A little preparation helps your quilt load smoothly on the longarm and helps me give you the best possible finished result. Please bring or send your quilt top, backing, and batting as three separate pieces. Please do not baste, pin, or spray-baste the layers together.

If you have questions about any requirement, please contact me before delivery or shipping. I am happy to help you determine what your project needs.

1. Prepare your quilt top

Please make sure your quilt top is complete and ready to quilt:

  • Press the quilt top so it lies flat, including borders and seam allowances.
  • Remove loose threads from the front and back, especially dark threads that may show through lighter fabrics.
  • Remove pins, safety pins, basting stitches, and any temporary markings that should not remain in the finished quilt.
  • Check that all seams are secure. Please repair open seams, weak seams, and holes before delivery.
  • Make sure the quilt is reasonably square and lies as flat as possible. Fullness, wavy borders, or uneven edges can affect the finished quilting result.
  • Let me know about any special fabrics, delicate materials, embellishments, minky, or other features that may need additional discussion before quilting.
  • Mark the top of the quilt if orientation matters. A safety pin with a note is helpful.

2. Prepare the backing

Your backing must be at least 4 inches larger than the quilt top on all four sides. In other words, it should be at least 8 inches wider and 8 inches longer than your quilt top.

For example, a quilt top measuring 60 × 80 inches needs a backing of at least 68 × 88 inches.

Please also:

  • Press the backing so it is clean and wrinkle-free.
  • Remove loose threads and trim uneven edges.
  • If the backing is pieced, use secure seams and press the seams open or flat.
  • Remove selvages from pieced backing seams so they do not create bulky or uneven areas.
  • Mark the top of the backing if it has a directional print or a preferred orientation.
  • Do not baste the backing, batting, and top together.

If your backing is too small, please contact me before delivery or shipping. In some cases, I may be able to discuss options with you before quilting begins.

3. Batting options

You may provide your own batting or ask me to supply Warm & Natural 100% cotton batting for an additional charge.

If you provide batting, it should be at least 4 inches larger than the quilt top on all four sides. Please bring or send batting as a separate piece; do not baste it to the quilt top or backing.

We will confirm your batting choice, availability, and final charge before I begin quilting.

4. Include your project details

Please include the following with your local drop-off or mailed quilt:

  • Your name
  • Best email address and phone number
  • Quilt top measurements: width × length in inches
  • Whether you supplied batting or would like me to provide it
  • Notes on orientation, thread preference, quilting design ideas, or other special instructions
  • Whether you prefer local pickup or return shipping

Please make sure the information inside your package matches the contact information you used for your quilting request.

5. Local drop-off and mail-in projects

I serve Bellingham and Whatcom County through local quilt drop-off. I will provide specific drop-off information after your project and timing are confirmed.

Mail-in projects are welcome. Please do not mail a quilt until we have discussed your project and I have provided the shipping address. You are responsible for shipping your quilt to CottonObsession. Return-shipping costs are confirmed after quilting, once the finished quilt is measured and weighed.

Before you deliver or mail

Please review this quick final checklist:

  • Quilt top is complete, pressed, and free of pins and loose threads
  • Backing is at least 4 inches larger on every side
  • Batting is at least 4 inches larger on every side, or you have requested CottonObsession batting
  • Quilt top, backing, and batting are separate pieces
  • You have included your name, contact details, measurements, and project notes
  • You have received confirmation from CottonObsession before drop-off or shipping

Thank you for taking the time to prepare your quilt. It helps ensure a smoother process and a beautiful result.