Do not baste your quilt with pins or any other method.

Mark the top of your quilt and your backing by safety-pinning a slip of paper to the top of each piece.

Trim all loose threads on your quilt top and backing. These threads may show through the front of your quilt.

Carefully press your quilt top and backing – seams open or to one side (be consistent). Wrinkles will not always “quilt out.”

Stay stitch 1/8" to 1/4" around the edge of your quilt top, especially if it is pieced to the edge.

Your quilt top should be free of embellishments such as buttons, charms, pins, sequins, couching, etc.

Borders that do not lie flat cannot be corrected with machine quilting – wavy borders may cause tucks, pleats or fullness.

Trim selvage edges from seams and press open.

Backing – allow an extra 6 inches beyond all sides of the quilt top (100% cotton is recommended). Bed sheets or polyester are NOT recommended – the dense nature of these products is difficult to quilt through and can prevent needle penetration and cause skipped stitches.