Heart's Desire Quilting

Intake Interview

Quilting Intake Interview

Be prepared to answer these questions as we talk about how to quilt your top.  I can save you money if your top is ready to go on my machine!

1. How large is your top in inches? _______width    _______length (Measure at several points across the middle of the top and use the average measurement.)
   
   
2. Did you secure your outside seams, iron your top, and clip all the hanging threads?  I can only quilt the top in the condition that it is brought to me.  Seams should be secure and free of puckers.  "It will guilt out" is a myth - it doesn't!  Make sure to back stitch at the beginning and ends of borders or piecing that reach the edge of the top.  I will stretch your top when I put it on the rollers of the machine to quilt it and loose seams pop.  Threads left attached after piecing can become "varicose veins"  and may show through the top.
   
   
3. Did you check to see if your quilt is "square" at the corners?  Each corner of your top should be a 90 degree angle.  Use your cutting matt and a ruler to cut the edges and corners straight and square.
   
   
4. Did you mark the top (where the pillow goes) of your quilt by pinning a piece of paper to it?  I don't want to quilt your top or backing upside down!
   
   
5. How large is your backing in inches? _______width   _______length  Your backing should be 4 inches larger than your top on ALL sides.  Make sure to cut all of the selvages off your material before sewing it together.  Press the seams to one side.  Lock your seams with a back stitch where the panels join.
   
   
6. Did you iron your backing carefully and make sure it is square?  Make sure that the top and bottom edges of the backing are 90 degree angles and cut straight across.  Use your cutting matt and ruler to cut the edges and corners straight.
   
   
7. What kind of batting are you going to use?  Your batting should be 4 inches larger than your top on ALL sides.  I sell Hobbs Heirloom bleached 80% cotton, 20% polyester.  It is 108 inches wide and can be cut to different lengths.  I also have king size packages (120 inches square) of Hobbs Heirloom bleached 80% cotton, 20% polyester for sale.
   
   
8. What kind and color of thread do you want me to use?  I stock basic colors of Superior Thread - Sew Find (50 weight) or the Bottom Line (60 weight) polyester thread.  I can order any color of 100% cotton thread and variegated thread for an extra charge.  The thread on the top and bottom of the quilt should be the same color.  You should think about the colors of the thread that you will use for your quilt when you are picking out the backing color.  Do you want the quilting lines to stand out or blend into the fabric?  Using variegated thread is tricky.  You need to look at the variegated colors and choose a middle shade to use on the back of the quilt.  When using variegated threads the bobbin thread is pulled to the top when the threads lock and "pokies" of the bottom and top color will show through on each side.  I will not guarantee an even thread tension on 40 weight and larger threads, since they lie on top of the quilt surface instead of being buried in the batting. 
   
   
9. How are you going to bind the quilt?  Tell me if you are going to fold the top or backing to the other side for biding so that I don't put any quilting stitches in the edge.
   
   
10. How densely do you want me to quilt the quilt?  The quilting can have stitches every 3 inches (light quilting) - 2 inches (medium quilting) or 1 inch (dense quilting).  The closer the quilting stitches are the stiffer the quilt will become.
    
    
11. What kind of motifs or designs do you want me to quilt?  Do you see flowers, leaves, stars, etc. when you look at your quilt?  I can draw many different images as I quilt your top.  Please give me a direction to go with your quilting.  If you tell me to "Do whatever your want!" and my idea of "whatever" is different then yours, we could have a problem.  I want to quilt your top in a manner that is pleasing to you.  So also tell me what you do not like in designs!
    
    
12. Schedule a quilting date with me in plenty of time for a special occasion or holiday.  I set aside one day a week for appointments with customers to deliver and pick up quilts.  I maintain a quilting waiting list months into the future.  I need to be fair to all of my customers and work on quilts in the order that they are booked.  I will not be able to squeeze in your special anniversary quilt that your were having trouble finishing before that special date!
    
    
13. Yes, you can book a quilting date before you have finished a top.  I will notify you three weeks before your quilt is scheduled to be quilted.  We can set a date for a quilt intake interview to discuss the quilting.