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Anchorage Quilting Services
In the Heart of the Appalachian Mountains
P.O. Box 504.
Tazewell, Virginia 24651
(276) 979-1991
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Anchorage Quilting Services can take your ideas and turn them into heirlooms. We can take your quilt top and turn it into a masterpiece!
How To Prepare Your Quilt Top for Machine Quilting
1. Press the back of your quilt top well. Please make sure that all seams are pressed flat on the back and facing in the desired direction. (This is particularly important if the quilting style you choose requires "Stitch in the Ditch" for stabilization or effect.)
2. Cut off trailing threads from back of quilt. If there are light areas on your top, dark threads can really detract from the finished product. These are called "varicose" threads. Not a pretty sight!
3. "Stay-stitch" scant 1/4" in from the edge around the perimeter of the quilt top. This keeps seams from "popping" and prevents stretching when attaching to the canvas on the rollers. (Please-No serger stitching.)
4. Indicate the Top (as opposed to bottom) with a piece of paper marked "TOP". Attach with a safety pin.
5. Fold top carefully and put on a plastic or pant hanger. If you are bringing fabric for binding, please pre-shrink & press it.
BACKING:
1. Choose to use 100% cotton for your backing fabric. Poly/cotton & 100% polyesters stretch differently than cotton and can cause tucks & puckering during the quilting process. Polyester fabrics can also "pill" & encourage "bearding", or migrating of the batting fibers to the surface of the quilt.
Please note: Use of sheets or sheeting is strongly discouraged. Some may be fine, but most cause poor tension & constant thread breakage. If you really want to use a particular sheet, bring it along & I'll take a look at it, but as a general rule, my machine does not "like" them. And I DO like to keep "Obi" (my machine) happy!
2. Remove ALL selvages, both from seams and along the edges.
3. Please cut the backing AND batting at least 4" larger than your top on all sides. (Pre-Packaged "sized" batting does not need to be cut.)
**Cut them as SQUARE (90 degree corners) as possible. If you piece the backing, please make sure all pieces are the same length. In other words, straighten the edges.
4. "Stay-stitch" 1/4" in from the edge around the perimeter of the backing.
(Please - No serger stitching.)
5. Press well. Backing seams should be pressed open.
6. Fold carefully & place on hanger with quilt top.
BATTING:
1. The better the quality of the batting, the better the final result.
2. No Hi-Loft or Extra-Loft batting for King Size Quilts. I am sorry but the machine does not have enough room for a King - Size with thick batting in the throat.
**A TIP on attaching borders: Make the quilt fit the borders, instead of the borders fitting the quilt. By the time you finish your quilt top, the edge will usually have stretched somewhat, especially if there are any bias pieces on the edge. If you measure the edge to get the measurement for your borders, you will almost always end up with a quilt that will not hang or lay flat.
To avoid this, measure through the center of your top, and cut the borders this length. Then mark both the border strips and the quilt edge in eighths. Match pins and ease quilt to fit borders. Don't forget to "stay-stitch" the edge as soon as you're done attaching the border. This will prevent any stretching from further handling.
Remember: The better job you do on preparation, the better job I can do for you.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT!
Some people are under the impression that the machine I use is somehow programmed and run by a computer. In actual fact, it is completely hand-guided by the operator. Some of the patterns are also hand drawn. When you consider these facts, you understand that the end product is not computer perfect. Naturally there are small variations, both in the drawing of the design and the operator's execution of it. These factors combine to produce & enhance the "hand made" look that we all cherish in our "hand made" quilts. If you are looking for perfection, it would be best to purchase a factory made quilt.
Email us at Anchorage Quilting Services
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