FQA & Other Info

How hard is it to learn to use the Longarm machine?

What type of thread do you use?

Are you open any evenings?

For the Quilt For You service what do I need to do before I drop off my quilt?

Quilt Top Preparation Information

I found a pattern I would like to use that you don't have, how can I use it?

What thread colors do you have available?

What does QY do with all those quilted training pieces?

Answers

How hard is it to learn to use the Longarm machine? (back to top)

Can you use a mouse to navigate through a computer screen? Then you can do this! All it takes are the computer skills you use to read you e-mail. You don't even have to know how to piece a quilt. Whole pieces of cloth quilted with one of our gorgeous all over patterns are wonderful.

What type of thread do you use? (back to top)

We use primarily Perma Core it is a cotton wound polyester that is strong enough to handle the speed and heat generated by our machines during quilting. We also have YLI nylon clear and smoke, and Signature & Kingtut variegate threads.

Are you open any evenings? (back to top)

Just line our sign says we are closed Mondays to clean our own homes put any other evening during the week or anytime on the weekends we are available by appointment. Just call and check on availability. We love our shop and do not mind being available when the desire to quilt hits you.

For the Quilt For You service what do I need to do before I drop off my quilt? (back to top)

Finish your quilt top completely. We prefer well pressed seams, threads snipped and the top squared. Bring backing and batting if you like. We do have both for sale at the shop. DO NOT ATTACH ALL THREE LAYERS TOGETHER WITH PINS OR BASTING. The quilting process will do that. Check out the web site for ideas on how you would like your project quilted.

I found a pattern I would like to use that you don't have, how can I use it? (back to top)

If you find a pattern that you would like to use that we do not have let us know by phone or e-mail give us a week to get it in the shop and you can use it. We ask that you pay for half of the pattern and we will pay the other half. Most patterns run $10 to $30. Some designers will allow us to download designs others mail CD's or send an e-mail.

What thread colors do you have available? (back to top)

We have a large variety of thread colors. We recommend that you stop by maybe a week before you rental time with your quilt top and back and audition threads on your quilt. If you can not find a match among our inventory we have a color chart of all available colors and we will get the color you want in the shop. Give us a week to get it in for you please.

Here are some tips that will make your quilting experience better. (back to top)

  1. Extend your sides. Some Longarm quilters recommend that you baste a 2"-4" strip of muslin to the outer border, on all four sides. This gives you extra flexibility when choosing quilting designs and it stabilizes the quilt when doing the borders. When you attach the muslin, press the seam allowance to the outside.
  2. Pieced tops will grow. Make sure the backing is larger than the quilt top (quilt top + muslin strips) by 2-3 inches in every direction. This means a total of 4-6 inches extra in length and in width. When the backing is on the machine, space is taken up when it is attached to the zippers at the top and bottom, and when it is clamped at the sides. Since a pieced quilt top will stretch more than an un-pieced backing, you will be able to absorb the difference.
  3. Measure where? Borders seem to cause more problems than any part of the quilt top. When attaching borders (or the muslin strips), make sure to measure the quilt in the center, not at the edges. Use that measurement for the borders. Mark the quilt edges and the border pieces in fourths. Match, pin and stitch. If necessary, ease in any extra fabric between these points.
  4. Reinforce-it. The muslin strips reinforce the quilt borders, which makes quilting easier. If you don't attach the strips, stay-stitch around the entire perimeter of the quilt.
  5. Square up. If you have made contoured corners, baste a piece of muslin across the contoured edge to make it square. The quilt will not be stretched properly if it is not square. Hint for scalloped edges: Don't cut the scallops until the quilt is quilted. Mark the cutting line clearly so you know where to quilt, but don't cut it until you are ready to apply the binding.
  6. Selvage be gone. If you need to piece the quilt backing, trim off the selvage edges first, and make ½" seam allowances. Press the seam allowances open.
  7. Press-it good. Especially the seam allowances. Avoid seam twisting and try to press seams in the direction that causes the least bulk. Not all patterns give directions for this, so you might need to break the rule "Press seams to the darker fabric". If you must press seam allowance to the lighter fabric and the darker fabric casts a shadow that is noticeable on the right side, trim the seam allowance of the darker fabric back just a tad (~1/16").
  8. Embellish Later. Buttons, bows and beads must wait until after the quilting is complete then feel free to go wild.
  9. Short sheet your quilt. Save yourself the frustration of bad tension & broken threads. Sheets are too tightly woven to use as a backing

What does QY do with all those quilted training pieces? (back to top)

We have found a charity that takes them and gives them to homeless pearsons.

The Marie Sandvik Center is a Christian based 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization providing for the material and spiritual needs of the poor living in the inner city. The mission is supported solely by churches and private donations, not the government. This way sharing God's message of love can be our primary focus. It is located on Franklin Avenue in the Phillips neighborhood of south Minneapolis.

There is something going on at the center every day: evening church services, women's meetings, after school Bible clubs for children, Saturday Kids Club and special events like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Through these programs we distribute clothing, quilts, baby layettes, food, diapers and financial help to thousands of people each year. This opens up a wonderful door to share the love that God has for each person that we help.

Here is a picture of a pile waiting to be taken to the center.