Question:
I'd like to send a pieced quilt top to be
quilted by someone with a long arm machine. What do I need to know?
Bear:
Good for you for getting a top all pieced and
ready! There are few things that you can do to make the process of
sending your quilts out to be quilted by someone else easier and less
stressful. First off...how do you want your quilt quilted?
Here are some Terms to know:
Border to Border --this type of quilting is an
all over pattern that doesn't take in patterns created in the piecing. Patterns
or designs can be thematic or inspired by elements in the quilt or designs in
the fabric that you used to piece your top together. This is the least
expensive way to have your quilt quilted and usually takes much less time to
get your quilt back.
Partial Custom--this type of quilting will make
a few changes across your quilt top. Different borders might be quilted with
different designs, and certain areas of blocks be given a slightly different
texture to help support the block patterns, or to avoid stitching across
applique or focus blocks.
Custom-- This type of quilting is the most
ornate. Custom quilting usually involves many changes in thread color, patters
designed especially for certain areas of the quilt and much stopping and
starting. Often referred to as 'show quilting' this type of work is done with
the intent to showcase the quilting just as much as the quilt design
itself. Custom work is more expensive as it takes a lot more time with
the quilt on the frame and the quilter at the machine.
If you don't know how you would like your quilt
quilted, and want to leave it up to the quilter working on it, it's a great
idea to give them as much information as possible about the future life of the
quilt. Who is for? (a quilter will consider different patterns for a young girl
graduating from high school vs a husband who loves to fish). Is this quilt
going to be used and taken on camping trips or for a dorm room? or is it
something that will be hung up to decorate a room? A beloved camping quilt will
likely not be a good match for a custom quilting investment. :)
If you've never worked with the quilter before
get to know each other! What type of quilting do they like to do?
Free motion or hand guided quilters enjoy the
freedom to play with patterns and designs on a quilt but as they are in charge
of moving the machine not all patterns will be exactly the same. If you enjoy
the artistry of having playful variance to your quilts, this might be your
perfect match. (Some free motion quilters can produce very similar patterns to
a computerized machine, but there will always be some variance due to
being...you know...human.)
Quilters who have machines that can be
programmed (where the computer then does the guiding) will be able to produce
patterns that are exact and duplicated perfectly. If you want something
perfectly precise this might the quilter for you!
Some quilters like to quilt using pantographs
(or lines that they follow using a laser light) to create an over pattern
across your quilt. This gives a very even design across the entire quilt, and
while there might be some variances scale, pattern and design will remain the
same.
Before you bring your quilt to your quilter, try
to press out the biggest creases and wrinkles in your backing fabric. Quilters
will usually make sure your quilts are pressed before getting them on the rails
of their machine for no extra charge, but if your fabric is severely wrinkled
the extra time that the quilter has to spend on prepping your fabric will cut
into the time they have to quilt which could lead to a delay in getting your
quilt finished, or potentially an extra fee to cover some of the time spend
prepping your project for the frame.
If you have a pieced border (i.e. piano key, 9
patch etc...) it is best to sew a straight stitch around the perimeter of your
quilt prior to bringing it to your quilter. This will help hold any seams
together that may have not been locked completely along the edge of your
project keeping those seams from opening when the quilt is put on the
frame.
If you are taking your quilt to a longarm
quilter you do not need to baste the three layers together. (using pins or
spray). Your quilter will want to have your backing, batting and top separate
as they are placed on separate rails.
When do you need your quilt completed by?
Many quilters have a good line of quilts waiting to be worked on, so it is often a good idea to call and check what their current time line is for having a quilt completed. It can feel like a long time passes between giving your quilt to your quilter and when it is ready to come and pick it up, but there are a lot of things have to happen to get your beautiful quilt back in your arms! If you have a discussion at the top end of dropping your quilt off as to when you would either need it finished or when your quilter thinks your quilt will be done it can keep expectations from being broken.
As is the case for many things in life, communication is key! Once you and your long arm quilter get to know one another it is much easier to just drop off your quilt and say 'do what you want!' Until you have established that relationship it's a great idea to give them a smaller project so you don't have as much time or money invested should you not be seeing eye-to-eye.
Good luck! and Happy Quilting!
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