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How to prepare your quilt for Longarming

Here are some quick and easy pointers to prepare your quilt top for longarming.

1. Press your seams

Ensure your seams are flat, avoiding folds and bulges. Remember to press your quilt from the back and the front.

2. ensure that all edge seams are sewn

If your quilt has seams that finish on the outer edges of the top, run a basting stitch 1/8" around the edge of the quilt to secure the stitches without back stitching.

3. trim loose threads

Remove any stray threads from the quilt top (front and back). Inspect the quilt seams for any holes and repair if necessary. If the quilt top has a light fabric that might easily show loose threads from the underside, clip those threads. 

4. ensure that you have enough backing fabric

The quilt backing should be 4-6" larger that the quilt top on all sides. Example: a 50" x 60" quilt top will need about 58" x 68" of backing. If you are piecing your backing fabric, press the seams open and trim the selvages off to help relieve tension along the seam line.

JROUSSEL.CREATIONS carries a selection of precut 108" x 108" backing fabrics as well as some wide back yardarge for sale by the half yard.

5. make sure you have enough batting

A variety of batting choices are available. To ensure the best results, batting should be 4" larger than the quilt top on all sides.

JROUSSEL.CREATIONS carries Quilters Dream 80/20 in both Natural and Bleached White for sale by the half yard if you do not have your own.