Quilt Sending Process
Step 1: Confirmation
Fill out this Interest Form or connect with me via phone, email or social media to discuss timeline and receive confirmation that I will be able to work with you on your quilt. I will provide you with my address for shipping or dropping off your quilt.
Step 2: Fill Out Quilting Request Form
Print and fill out this Quilting Request Form and include it with your quilt top and backing. This helps me ensure that I have all of the information needed. You can also access an online version of the form here.
Step 3: Send Your Quilt!
Once we’ve connected, you’ve filled out the Quilting Request Form and you’ve completed the steps that are listed below to prepare your quilt top and backing, it’s time to pop it in the mail or drop it off to me. I will take great care of your quilt and will communicate with you throughout the process!
Preparing Your Quilt Top
Before sending your project for quilting, neatly iron the quilt top and trim loose threads. Dark threads will show through white fabric if not trimmed prior to quilting. Personally, the threads I worry most about trimming on my own quilts are when I have dark fabrics next to light ones. If the whole quilt is dark, don’t worry too much about quilts on the back of the quilt top, just those that made their way to the front.
It works best if you try to flatten all bulky seams as much as possible. Check that the stitches are strong on your seams at the outside edges of your quilt. You can add a “stay stitch” 1/8 inch around your whole quilt top, which helps secure those outside edges. This is very helpful when you have pieced blocks that go right to the edge.
Please have your top as square (or rectangular, as the case may be) as possible. This will facilitate proper longarm machine loading and successful quilting.
If your top is directional, please indicate that by pinning a note to the top.
Quilt Backing and Batting
Your quilt backing and batting must be at least 8 inches wider and longer than your quilt top (4 inches on each side). For example, if your quilt top is 50″ x 65″, your backing and batting must be at least 58″ x 73″.
This is super important for loading your quilt on the longarm frame and allows my machine to reach all the areas that need to be quilted. I personally like to make my backing 10″ wider and longer than my quilt top, as it is a nice even number to remember.
When piecing your backing, it works best to remove selvages from the center seam. This will prevent the backing fabric from being tight in the center.
Please do your best to square up your quilt back so there are no uneven edges, corners are square and sides run parallel.
If your backing is directional, please indicate that by pinning a note to the top.
Figuring out backing size can be tricky, I always offer to my clients that they can contact me if you want to double check your backing size or how much yardage you would want to order for backing if you haven’t purchased it yet. I’m happy to help.
Packaging
If you are shipping your quilt, fold your top, back and batting separately. Place in a plastic bag before packaging in an envelope or box. Please request a tracking number and consider buying insurance for your package.
Labeling
Print out this Quilting Request Form. Fill it out and attach it to your quilt before shipping or dropping off. You also can fill out an online version of the form here.
Kristin VanKampen Quilting 