The quilting process is the dressing on your quilt. The type of quilting you choose will be based on the quilt you have made. For example, a patchwork quilt with no sashing and a small border looks lovely with edge to edge quilting so that the focal point of the quilt is the piecing itself. On the other hand, an appliqué quilt or sampler or medallion quilt looks lovely with custom quilting using individual background fills and special feather or other motifs in the sashing, borders, and some of the blocks. And some quilts may look nice with a combination of edge to edge quilting in the body of the quilt and a special border treatment.

Edge to edge quilting creates a cohesive design over the entire quilt and enhances and showcases the piecing of the quilt. Edge to edge quilting may be done freehand or with the use of a pantograph pattern. Here is an example of a pantograph that is one of my designs. Freehand designs are unique and there are examples of these in my gallery. Pantograph designs are done from a pattern and are exactly the same design over the entire quilt. More examples of pantograph designs can be seen at intelligentquilting.com. Prices for edge to edge quilting vary based on the density of the quilting with a range of $0.02-$0.04 per square inch.

Custom quilting is done by placing individual motifs and background fills in specific areas in a quilt based on the quilt design itself. Each area of the quilt including blocks, sashing, and borders will have unique, but unified quilting designs. The cost for custom quilting ranges from $0.04-$0.07 per square inch. Here is one example of custom quilting.

An estimate of quilting cost will be provided to you prior to agreement for quilting.

The quilt top should be pressed and all stray threads clipped and removed.

The quilt top should be square and flat with all four sides the same length and no fullness or waviness in either the top or the borders. Borders should be applied by measuring through the center of the quilt, pinning the border to the quilt matching the center and ends and easing the border to the quilt as needed.

The backing and batting should be at least 8 inches longer and 8 inches wider than the quilt top. This allows 4 inches on each side during the quilting process.

The backing should be high quality quilting fabric. Bed sheets or other fabrics are not suitable and may result in skipped stitches throughout the quilting. Batik fabric is discouraged as a backing because of the high thread count and stiffness of the fabric.

Thread:

Only the best quality quilting thread is used. Based on the quilting to be done and the customer’s request, either a 100% cotton or high sheen polyester thread may be used. There is a $5.00 thread charge for each thread color used in the quilt.

Wide backing (108 inches) is stocked in neutral colors, light blue, light green, ivory, and light yellow at a cost of $0.33 per linear inch.

We stock Quilter's Dream 100% cotton, Select weight, unbleached, 93 inch wide batting on a roll. It is a low loft and shrinks slightly for an old-fashioned look. The cost for this batting is $0.28 per linear inch. You will need the measurement of your quilt top plus 8 inches on each side.

We stock Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 cotton/poly, 93 inch wide batting on a roll. It is also a low loft and has slightly more shrinkage than the Quilter’s Dream 100% cotton. It provides a very soft, old-fashioned feel for your quilt after quilting. The cost for this batting is $0.25 per linear inch.

Quilter’s Dream 100% wool batting is available upon request and with advance notice.

There are many other types of batting and you may provide your own batting. There are certain types and brands of batting that work particularly well on the longarm machine. The preferred battings are Quilter’s Dream, Warm and Natural, or Hobbs heirloom. These battings all come in cotton, wool, polyester and silk. You may choose another batting, but please check with me to be sure that the batting will work for longarm quilting before making your purchase.

Quilts are scheduled on a first come first serve, basis. When you bring your quilt to me, I can give you an estimate of when it will be completed.

Payment is due in full at time of completion. Personal checks, cash, and Paypal payments are accepted at the time of customer pickup of quilt or prior to shipping.

Shipping costs are added to the total cost. Approximate cost for shipping is $15-20.00 via UPS or USPS Priority mail.