Prepare Your Quilt Info

Piecing

Press all seams accordingly as you are piecing.

If your quilt does not lay flat, it may cause folds and bunching on the top, bottom or sides of your quilt. Puckers, and tucks cannot be quilted out.

Make sure all seams are secure.

Clip all loose/long thread tails on the front and back of top. Dark threads may shadow under lighter fabrics. This is most important if the top or the back of your quilt is light color and somewhat transparent.

Twisted seams may cause bulk which may cause a minor bump in your quilt.

Avoid twisted seams by pressing to one side.

If you have borders, try to make them lie flat. Wavy borders could result in small puckers or tucks.

If quilt top is directional, please note it on the order and mark the top with a safety pin. Remove all other pins.

If you pre-wash your fabric, remember to pre-wash your backing also and remeasure to be sure the back still has the extra length and width required for our machines.

Borders

We will center to the top of the machine and backing fabric as best as possible.

We take every effort to keep your top straight by following the lines of your quilt top.

Backing

Backing needs to be at least 8" longer in length and width than the quilt top (4" minimum all around). Minky backing need 10" extra on the sides.
Example a 60" x 60" top would have a backing that is 68" x 68".
The additional backing on the length is to be able to attach the backing to the long arm frame. The additional with is to be able to attach clamps to add tension across the backing to prevent puckers on the back.

Backing should have straight cut edges as best as you can. (We understand most quilters may not have adequate space to lay out a larger quilt)

If seaming your backing, it is best if the seam is horizontal and press the backing seam open

Any piecing of the back should be done in the center or towards the top of the back.

We will do the best we can, but because as we quilt, the material shrinks a little, so we cannot guarantee your backing will be perfectly centered with the quilt top.

If you have borders on the back, they probably may not line up properly. We will do our best.

Embellishments

Please wait to put embellishments like beads or buttons on until after the quilting is complete.
If your top or back does have any embellishments we can "mask" them( quilt around) , each mask is $ 7 extra.

Send Your Quilt top and backing to us.

Once you place your order, mail your top and backing to:

NW Quilting
6202 SE 145th Ave.
Portland, OR 97236

The most economical way for you to send your quilt is by using the the US Post Office's Flat Rate packaging. Since they use size based cost rather than weight based and fabric is small in size for the weight these rates are a good value and the box or envelope is free. Small quilts may fit in a Flat Rate legal envelope. Listed in the order of price/size, the other choices are Regional A, Medium Flat Rate then Large Flat Rate. If you are shipping to us from within about 1000 miles from Portland Oregon, a Regional B may be less than the Large Flat Rate.

If you are in the Portland Oregon area, you can drop your quilt off at our warehouse. We are available most days and evenings, including weekends! Please call or email to make an appointment.