Long Arm Services - Located in Frederick, Md.
Remember When?
Do you remember the first time you were introduced to quilting? I do, and believe me quilting took over my life (as did the fabric)! I grew up with my grandmother's beautiful quilts made from feed sacks and later learned the quilting basics from my mother. I still
have my first project, a "Drunkards Path" pillow.
Not satisfied with the availability of cotton fabrics in the mid-seventies, I opened "The Patchworks" in Shab Row, Frederick, Maryland. What great times those were, with so many wonderful friends and fun classes.
Finishing a quilt top of any size is a time for celebration. Let's work together to transform your quilt into a cherished heirloom with a beautiful pantograph or custom quilted design. Between us, we can pick the perfect design to highlight your masterpiece.
Quilting Options
*Quilt Prep: Ironing front starting from $10, ironing backing and trimming threads $10. Charges may vary according to quilt size and condition.
Pantograph: .02 to .025 per sq. in. An edge to edge design stitched from border to border over the top quilt. The intricacy of the design determines the price.
Small Pantograph: .025 to .05 per sq. in. This is a very small edge to edge pattern that gives a heavily quilted look.
Custom Quilting: Starts at $0.05 per sq. in. It includes different designs for blocks, borders and sashing. This must be scheduled to discuss the possibilities.
Minimum Quilting Charge/Project: $35
*Standard Thread and Needle Charge: $2/sq.yd. for solid cotton thread, $3/sq.yd for variegated or specialty thread. Charges are based on thread selection.
Binding: (Based on 2.5 " wide Bias Binding folded in half) Please provide 1 yard of fabric and I will return any leftover.
Full Binding: Make, sew on quilt and hand whip down – $0.35 per linear inch.
Make Binding and Attach to the Quilt: you hand whip – $0.15 per linear inch.
Attach Binding to the Quilt Only: $0.12 per linear inch.
Piecing a quilt back: $25.00
Basting a quilt for you to quilt - .0050 per sq.in. - $50.00 miniumum
*Additional Charges May Apply
Lets Talk About Preparing the Quilt
Following these simple guidelines will help make the quilting process proceed successfully!
• First and foremost, the top and back must be well pressed and any loose threads from the quilt top and backing removed – I can do this for you – see fees under Quilting Options.
• It is important to remember that the back and batting must be at least 8" wider and 8" longer than the quilt top. This allows me 4" on each side of the quilt – room to sew off the quilt during a pantograph design, gives me a place to experiment with thread tension and allows enough room for the quilt to be clamped from both sides of the frame.
• If the backing must be pieced, remove the selvages, use a 1/2’’ seam allowance, and press open. Square the backing. If possible, piece the back with the seams running horizontally.
• Borders – Anyone who has had me for a quilt teacher knows that I like to use the lengthwise grain of the fabric for the borders. This guarantees less stretch and distortion. But with the cost of fabric these days, I realize that this is not always possible. Follow these guidelines for both straight and crosswise grain borders: Take measurements down both lengthwise sides of the quilt as well as down the middle of the quilt. Take an average of these lengths and write it down. Next, use the average to cut two carefully measured borders. Fold each border in half and mark with a pin. Do the same on the edge of the quilt to which the border will be attached. Align the centering pins and continue to pin to both ends of the quilt, easing in any fullness. Place the side with the most fullness on the bottom so the feed dogs of your machine will aid in taking care of any fullness.
• Repeat the process for the top borders. If possible, lay your quilt on a flat surface. If the quilt lays flat (no wavy borders) you have been successful. I can compensate for slight fullness in the borders, but I cannot guarantee that there will not be some tucks or puckers (these are very evident on solid colored borders). With your permission, I can take borders off and fix them at a rate of $25 per hour. But I am confident that if you follow the directions above, that will not be necessary.
• Please mark the top of the quilt top, back and batting with safety pins so that I know which direction to load the quilt on the machine. Also please have measurements for me of the quilt top, length and width (measure top, bottom and middle in both directions) I would also like you to measure the length and width of the batting and backing so you are certain that you are providing me enough yardage. This will save me a tremendous amount of time - just be careful to give me accurate measurements as I will be using these to do the computer pattern set up. If you want me to do this for you, the charge is $10.00. This is a new charge that I will post in a blog so everyone is aware of the change.
• I can provide two types of batting - Warm and Natural (all cotton) and Hobbs 80/20 – check with me on prices. These are the two types of batting I find to hold up the best on the machine. They are very well behaved : ) Many of the others stretch terribly.
• Any questions at all – just call or email me. I am always happy to help.
Please keep in mind that I don't piece your project - I just quilt the finished project. Make certain that all of your seams are secure and that they are starting and ending in the same direction. This makes for a much nicer stitch on the quilting machine.
Remember that puckers in piecing will still show after quilting.
