long arm quilters-- do you want the backing washed or

[Mary K.]

Xmas quilt is finished and ready to go to the quilters.. bought enough quilting backing but I was wondering...


Long arm quilters-- do you want the backing washed or left unwashed..... I got a beatiful red backing but was wondering if it might run... so do I wash it or leave it alone.... My quilter is not available to ask on a Sunday.


http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/...57356579KzwGJh

[Eileen K.]

Please wash it!! It makes it so much easier to quilt.
Thank you for asking before you took it to the LAer-I wish my customers would ask questions.
eileenkny

[Eileen K.]

I also prefer washed, but 99% of my customers bring me unwashed backs & tops (& cheap-o poly batt - whole 'nother rant :roll: ). That said, if the back is pre-washed and the top fabrics weren't, I'd worry about uneven shrinkage. Have you run into any issues with that Eileen?

Jorja

[Eileen K.]

My Quilter supplies the batting ... you can select cotton or poly cotton .... If you want wool or silk you have to buy that and bring it to her. She has huge rolls of batting... I think it was Quilters Dream Batting last time but she told me she has a new batting she like better... ( slightly more expensive) but I do not know the name. I have been very happy with her quilting so far so I will go with her recommendation even though I have bags of HObbs in my storage bin.

I keep telling myself I need to do some home quilting but so far I have been making Queens and King size quilts.... and I do not even want to try.


I am going to quilt my baby quilts and lap robes... I think it is important to try all aspects of quilting... might do it once and never again but then again I might love it.

I do have John Flynn frame... but I am afraid of that thing... I am SO TOTALLY NOT MECHANICAL.

[Eileen K.]

Jorja,
Most of the tops have been washed. Some wait until the top is pieced :shock: You should see the threads!!
I stock Hobbs 80/20 and QDC kings. If they bring a batt that's really bad(remember the old Mountain Mist?)I refuse it. They then have the choice of using my batting or getting another one of their own.
I dont' mean to sound hoity-toity but my name is going out the door with that quilt and I can't afford to have piecers bad mouthing my quilting.
eileenkny

[Eileen K.]

Has anyone used the new QD Green batting? It's made from recycled plastic bottles and is a light green color. I got a small sample a few weeks ago. I'm not sure how my customers would react to me stocking this.
Any opinions?
eileenkny

[Colleen C.]

Eileen, what do you do with the threads? I trim the dark ones, but if they are neutral and don't look like they will show through, I leave them. Education.

[Eileen K.]

Eileen, what do you do with the threads? I trim the dark ones, but if they are neutral and don't look like they will show through, I leave them. Education.

I leave the lighter ones too. But I've had it happen that some have shown through anyway. I have a tiny crochet hook that I use to snag them and pull them to the top. It doesn't happen often, thank goodness.
What kind of machine do you have?
eileenkny

[Colleen C.]

I have a Gammill. I do a few quilts for others, but I still work and there is only so much time. The more I do though, the better they turn out. It's easy to get out of practice, you miss a few days of quilting and you are almost starting over.

[Colleen C.]

I vote for washing the back too- would rather have it run alone than when attached to the front!
Eileen I stock QD kings also-- machine blend and cotton and black poly. I have never tried the Green-- does it feel any different?

[Eileen K.]

It feels really good and looks like it has a nice drape. If you call them, they'll send a sample. It's not big enough to use for anything but enough for you to get the idea.
eileenkny