Press your entire top ensuring it is flat as possible. Seams pressed flat and if there is fullness in some blocks using steam can help shrink it tight and flat or at least minimize the fullness. During the quilting process I can help with some fullness but if it’s excessive there may be folds and/or bunching of fabric between stitching. If you have wavy borders sometimes steam may help. Or remove them and try sewing them on again. When there are wavy borders I try to manage them as much as I can and sometimes have to add a pleat depending how wavy they are.
Cut all loose threads front and back.
If there are seams around the outer edge, ensure they are not coming undone. If there are many seams then a ‘stay stitch’ (stitch an 1/8″ in around the perimeter of the quilt) is suggested to keep the seams from coming undone. Use your own discretion if this is needed.
Mark the top center of your quilt and the backing. A pin through paper works well. Anything will work just as long as its very noticeable & won’t fall off before it’s received.
Please add embellishments after the quilting process.
Keep all three layers separate.
Backing and Batting
Prepare a square backing and batting 8 inches larger than the width and length of your quilt top (a quilt 50×60 requires a backing 58×68 or larger).
If you’re piecing your backing with two 44″ pieces of fabric, a horizontal seam is preferred (a ½” open seam is best). If you sew selvage to selvage using a 1″ seam then trim off selvage you’re left with about ½”. The outer selvages can be left on.
If you are piecing your batting it needs to lay flat. If you smooth it out with your hands and it doesn’t lay flat and there’s lumps or fullness it’s possible it will be noticeable in your quilt top. Please no sticky seam tape.
