Long Arm Quilting Policy

General:

•         Any backing, batting, and thread purchased at The Sewing Box for your project needs to be paid for no later than drop off date.
•         The charge for quilting is estimated on the Registration sheet and will be finalized at completion.
•         Completed quilts must be picked up and paid for within 2 weeks of completion.

Timing:

•         There is typically a 6 to 8 week backlog of quilts to be quilted.  As a general rule, when a quilt is brought to The Sewing Box for quilting, it takes the next available slot.
•          When you drop off your quilt, please supply an expected completion date.
•         If the date you supply is negotiable, please indicate so.
•         If you know when you want a quilt to be quilted but do not have it ready to bring in, you may call and have your name placed on the list.  At that point you will be given a date that you must have your quilt here.  If you miss the delivery date, your quilt will be added to the bottom of the list and be given a new completion date.
•         If an “emergency” arises that you need your quilt sooner than the next available slot, all efforts will be made to fit your quilt into the rotation.  The accommodation can only be made as space is available, and there will be a $30 surcharge.

Quilt Top Condition:

•         The quilt top should be checked for “squareness”.  If the top is out of square, that’s how it will be quilted.
•         If the borders are “wavy”, there will be puckers on the top when it is quilted.  The waves usually happen from cutting borders on the width of the fabric instead of the length.  To prevent this wave action, stay stitch 1/8” from the outside edge before assembling the borders onto the quilt.  Do not “ease” or “gather” borders into the quilt center to make them fit.
•         If the outside border is pieced (piano keys, log cabin, etc), it cannot be quilted without stay stitching 1/8” from the outside edge.
•         All seams must be pressed flat.  If multiple layers come together in one intersection, please press the seams open.  If creases are pressed in the quilt top, that’s how it will be quilted.  We highly recommend Best Press. 
•         De-fringe the back of your quilt top by trimming all loose threads, especially if you are using white or off white sashing.  Loose threads may show through underneath the lighter fabric.
•         The top should be hanging on a hanger when delivered for quilting.

Backing:

•         If the backing is seamed, the seam should be pressed to one side and be at least ¼” wide.
•         The backing must be pressed and hanging on a hanger.  Please mark the TOP of the backing with a tag.
•         The size must be at least 8” larger in width and length than the quilt top.
•         When choosing a backing, the quality is important.  The stiffer the backing the more probability of having the batting “punch through” to the back.

Batting:

•         The size must be at least 8” larger in width and length than the quilt top.
•         A good quality cotton batting is recommended, but poly batting is acceptable.  When supplying your own batting, be sure “machine quilting” is one of the recommendations on the label.  The Sewing Box will not be held responsible for results from inferior batting and reserves the right to refuse using it.
•         Please label your batting with your name and your quilt’s name.

Thread:

•         For the quilt top the typical recommendation is Sulky Cotton.  It comes in 12wt and 30wt.  The 12wt gives a more pronounced stitch.  The 30wt is a more subtle stitch.  They come in solids and blendables. 
•         Metalic and invisible thread for the top is also available.  These both present an additional challenge and require an additional $2 per square yard.
•         For the back of the quilt, Gutermann is recommended.  There should be somewhat of a balance with top and bottom thread colors.  This prevents a “dotted” look on either the top or bottom of the quilt, due to tension flexibility that can come from the batting thickness.
•         When you drop off your quilt, staff will assist in choosing the thread.  You are responsible to purchase one spool each of top and bottom threads at that time.  If additional spools of thread are required, the cost will be added to the quilting.
•         The choice of thread color, especially for the quilt top, is very important.  Staff will help, but the ultimate decision is up to the customer.  The Sewing Box will not be held responsible for the end result.