Customer Instructions

INFORMATION   TO   CUSTOMERS:

We strive to keep our prices reasonable so that our customers can continue to make quilts for themselves and their loved ones and friends.  To avoid extra charges, please note:

1. General information:

   1. If you require your quilt in a hurry, let us know!  We do not open boxes until we are ready to work on them, so if your “need by” date is inside the box, we are unaware of it.  Please email your “need by” date and also write it in large letters on the outside of your box so that we see it when it arrives and can act accordingly.  Please note, we do charge for rush orders.
   2. In regards to borders: please attach side borders first, then top and bottom.  They feed smoother through the quilt frame this way.  Additionally, it is better to use two (or more) smaller borders than one larger border.  Borders larger than 4 ½” tend to waffle, and not lay flat, which will cause puckering and pleating.
   3. Please check your quilt over for holes and pins. If the quilting machine finds a hole, the quilt is apt to tear.  If we hit a pin while quilting, damage can occur to the quilting machine and the quilt both.
   4. Make sure that your quilt is folded neatly when you ship or bring it in.  This makes a large difference when loading in the frame.  A quilt that has just been stuffed in a box/bag must be pressed so that it will lay and quilt properly.
   5. Be certain that you include your name, phone number, address and email address if you have one so that if we have questions we can contact you.
   6. When quilting t-shirt quilts, we only stipple these and should you use sweatshirts or other items than t-shirts, quilting be higher as we have to keep our hands down on the quilt itself while quilting to facilitate proper stitching.
   7. Please make sure that you give us all information on your quilt, quilting pattern if you have a preference, batting to use and if we are to bind. Our website states that if you don’t tell us if we bind or not, we WILL BIND YOUR QUILT!
   8. Do not fold all the pieces of your quilt together. We need front, back and batting separated so please bring it to us that way.  If it is all together, the quilt and batting are apt to stretch when separating.  Do not pin your top to your backing.  Please have tops, backs, and batting folded separately to avoid a separation charge.
   9. As per information on our website, we DO NOT quilt over applique. Should you request a pattern that goes over applique and it is possible for us to do so, there will be an extra charge for this.
   10. Please make certain that your quilt is squared up. We need straight edges to pin in the frame.  If one side of your quilt top is 90” long and the other side is 93” long, this is an issue.
   11. In regards to fabrics: We will not quilt rugs, blankets, or extremely thick materials.
   12. Spray adhesives are a no go. We will be unable to use backings/battings that have been glued.
   13. If you have triangles (6 or more that meet at a point) please either nest your seams or press them open.  If they are large hard points we cannot quilt over them and will use a pattern of our choosing.
   14. Do not send quilts that smell strongly of perfumes or smoke. Please wash these before sending.
   15. Pet hair is a problem. It drifts and gets on our rollers, then picked up on someone else’s quilt.  Please do not send items that are covered in pet hair.
   16. Please press open seams where more than 6 meet at a point (such as triangles). If there are big lumps, we need to be able to manipulate a pattern and will use one of our choosing.
   17. If sending more than one quilt, please tag each quilt separately with instructions and place each quilt (and backing/batting if sending) in separate bags (Each bag containing everything needed for 1 quilt). All in one box is fine, but bagged separately ensures that we know exactly what goes with each quilt.
   18. Please remove all row/section type labeling before mailing. Tape and pins take time to remove.
   19. If your outer border has many seams (such as a piano key) please stitch a scant ¼” all around the outer edge to keep your pieces from pulling apart in the frame.

   Batting:

   20. Customer supplied batting will be used at our discretion. Folded cotton batting retains its folds and is apt to not pull evenly when in the frame.   It MUST be bonded.  Should supplied batting not meet our standards, we will substitute our batting at regular prices.  Cheap batting tears and separates in the frame and will not be used.
   21. Check information on your batting. If it states “can be quilted up to 3 inches apart” or some variation, a larger pattern will not work as the batting will separate.   
   22. Batting that is bonded by means of a fused webbing is not ideal. It does not stretch or feed through the frame properly and any where the mesh comes off, the batting is apt to tear and not hold up. 
   23. Supplied batting must be larger than your quilt top by 3” all around the quilt. If your quilt measures 90”x100”, your supplied batting must be 96”x106”.  HOWEVER, if you know that your quilt is super stretchy, it is a good idea to allow some extra inches.  We don’t mind a little extra, but 20” extra (for example) is too much and just gets in the way of things.  If you buy it in a bag and it is noticeably larger than your quilt top, please cut it down.  If your backing is close to the same size as your top, we will not be able to use it and will substitute our backing at regular price.

   Backing: 

   24. If you piece your backing please make sure that all edges are equal.  Please do not send us a backing that “hourglasses” in on one side or the other side of the quilt, and please do not send backing that has “wonky” edges that are not straight.  We need straight edges to put a quilt in the frame and if we have to straighten your back it takes more time and we will charge for this service.
   25. We ask for 3”* on each side and on the top and bottom, an inch or two is not enough for pinning into the frames, and not hugely extra amounts as this again is hard to deal with and won’t fit in the frames and has to be cut down. (90x100 quilt needs a 96x106 back). If your backing is close to the same size as your top, we will not be able to use it and will substitute our backing at regular price.   If it is quite a bit larger than your quilt top we will charge to cut it down to size.
   26. *Minky backing must be 10” larger, not 6” larger than your quilt top. Additionally, there are many varieties of Minky fabrics.  We will use supplied Minky at our discretion.
   27. If we are to use backing as binding, there needs to be ample fabric on one end of the backing to just cut off and use. If we have to trim all around to get the binding, we will charge for this.
   28. Pieced backing should be single seams. Sheets should have hems removed and pressed.  We will not quilt over hems, and hemmed fabric does not feed through the frame properly.  We will charge to remove and/or iron hems if you leave them in.
   29. Pieced backing should all be the same type of fabric. Satins quilt differently than cottons, etc., and may incur extra charges to quilt.
   30. Do not bring backing that have applique, embroidery, or labels on the backs. We cannot see these when quilting and there is a chance of needle breakage.
   31. If you buy backing at a shop where they tear rather than cut the fabric, square it up before you bring it in.
   32. If you piece your backing, please bear in mind that we cannot see the back when we are quilting, and cannot be certain to miss where pieces come together.  If seams on the top of the quilt match up where the seams on the bottom are, there is a very real danger of breaking needles.  Broken needles tear quilts.  We do not recommend backings that have been pieced like a top.

   Binding:  

   33. If you want to send your binding, please make certain that you send enough. We are perfectly happy to cut your binding into strips as needed, but if you do cut it before sending, please note the following: 
   34. Quilts and bindings using cotton or cotton blends, please cut binding 2 ½” wide. We will not use binding that is narrower than 2 ½”.
   35. If you press it, it should be pressed in half. If it is folded like bias fold tape (with outer edges folded into the center), we will charge to press it open and refold it.
   36. Heavyweight (such as upholstery fabric for example) fabric is difficult to work with. If your backing or binding fabric is other than a cotton or cotton blend, there will be an additional charge to use it.  Additionally, the use of this is at our discretion.
   37. Do not zig zag the raw edges of your binding.
   38. Quilts or bindings using flannel or minky need wider binding. Generally, that is 3-3 ½”, but it is best to let us see it and then decide.
   39. If your use different colored fabrics for binding, we will add a charge for thread changing.
   40. Scalloped edges of a quilt may require wider binding. We’ll need to look at it.