How to Prepare Your Quilt Top
Helpful Quilt Preparation Tips:
- Mark the top edge (direction) of quilt with a pin or “Top” note.
- Trim all loose threads from the back. Loose threads may show through the top or back.
- Be sure all seams are secure. Check to make sure none of your seams are coming loose.
- If you have a pieced border, for best results, “stay stitch” 1/4″ around the edge of your quilt top. This helps keep the seams from separating while being quilted.
- Square up the backing fabric.
- Measure your side borders as well as the middle of the length of your top. Your measurements should be the same.
- Measure the top and bottom and across the middle width wise. These three measurements should be the same. If not, there is a possibility that there will be puckers or tucks in your quilt.
- Size your backing and batting a minimum of 6-8″ larger than your quilt top on all four sides.
- Be aware that fullness and puckers, which have been pieced in, cannot be quilted out.
- Quilt must be clean and free of any odor or animal hair, to prevent transfer to others quilts.
- Do not baste quilt. Bring or send layers separately.
- Avoid handling your quilt by the borders once they have been attached. This can stretch the borders and cause them to become loose and wavy.
- Avoid using bed sheets as your backing for your quilt.

If you have any questions about how to prepare your quilt I’m happy to help.
