- WHITE FABRIC: Use white thread when sewing quilt top pieces, IF using white or light fabric in your quilt top. This prevents colored thread from showing through on the quilt top.
- IF NO BOARDERS: Sew 1/8” inch around quilt top if you are NOT using boarders. This prevents seams from separating at the ends during the longarm quilting.
- MISSED STITCHES: Double CHECK seams to make sure there are NO missed stitches. Once the quilt is loaded on the machine it’s difficult if not impossible to repair.
- BACKING & BATTING: Cut backing and batting a MINIMUM of 4” INCHES beyond each side of the quilt top. That equals a total of 8” inches LONGER and 8” inches WIDER than the quilt top.
- BACKING: When piecing backing together, use a ½” inch allowance and press open. IRON OUT heavy wrinkles and creases.
- BATTING: When sewing two pieces of batting together to make one large piece, use a ZIGZAG stitch and overlap batting material 1/4 “ inch. If batting is butt together there is a high chance the batting will separate. If using an iron on tape to assemble batting, follow the provided instructions. Usually, batting is butt together when using tape.
- WAVY QUILT/BOARDERS: To minimize a wavy quilt and wavy boarders, square individual pieced blocks before assembling blocks together. If adding boarders to quilt, 1) sewing the two vertical boarders leaving a couple inches at each end; 2) Iron the boarders open; 3) Trim excess material using a quilting square ruler to square up the two boarders. Boarders are to be squared to the quilt. 4) Sew the two horizontal boarders leaving a couple inches at each end. Do not trim excess material until after your quilt has been through the Longarm process.
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Should I Include Borders On My Quilt?
I recommend adding borders to quilts for a few reasons. Borders add a nice touch to a quilt. It is like putting a frame around a picture; it adds dimension and gives the quilt a finished look. I like using a one and a half inch to two inch wide border that contrasts the colors in the quilt, then add a four inch to six inch border fabric that matches or complements one of the patterns used in the quilt.
Another reason the you might want to add borders is that adding borders is a quick way to add to the width and length of your quilt. Have you ever found a quilt pattern that you really liked but the pattern dimensions were too small. Don’t let that stop you. Use the pattern and add borders to the desired width and length.
The final reason why I recommend borders is that sewing the borders around your quilt ties in the edges of the piece work. If you decide you do not want borders you will need to sew a stitch around the edges of your quilt to prevent the pieces from separating and stretching. The longarm quilter will most likely charge you an extra fee if it’s not done.
About Lady VanWinkle’s
Are you looking to buy a handcrafted quilt? Check out our Quilts for Sale. If you are looking to customize your own quilt. Click the following links for Longarm Stitching services or contact us.
Does Lady VanWinkle’s Restore Quilt?
Lady VanWinkle’s does restore quilt. Over time quilts get worn around the edges and sometimes the backing wears out. As long as the quilt top, piece work, is in good shape we can restore your quilt for you.
Our process is, we remove the backing and batting and depending on the the condition of the borders we may remove part or all of the borders. Once all damaged material is removed we apply new batting, backing and borders for you. This is the perfect time decide if you want a larger quilt than your original quilt. We can make your quilt larger by adding or extending your borders. You can provide the new materials or we can match your quilt top and select your materials for you. We have the batting on hand.
If you are looking to restore your quilt, click on the Contact Us link below to contact Lady VanWinkle’s. In the message box indicate that you are wanting a Quilt Restoration consultation .
About Lady VanWinkle’s
Are you looking to buy a handcrafted quilt. Check out our Quilts for Sale. If you are looking to customize your own quilt? Click the following links for Longarm Stitching services or contact us.
What Is The Turnaround Time From The Longarm Quilter?
It seem like the average turnaround time from the longarm quilter is four to six weeks. In some studio’s the backlog can be a couple months. This is because there are a lot of quilters and few Longarm quilting studios.
If you need your quilt in a hurry, contact Lady VanWinkle’s. At this time our turn around time is one week. Get your project quilted with high quality stitches. Lady VanWinkle’s has the Bernina Q24 with the Q-Matic computer. You don’t need to wait for weeks to get your quilt back. Click on one of the links below.
About Lady VanWinkle’s
Are you looking to buy a handcrafted quilt. Check out our Quilts for Sale. If you are looking to customize your own quilt? Click the following links for Longarm Stitching services or contact us.
How Do I Choose A Longarm Pattern?
You will choose from several longarm stitch patterns we have available. If we don’t have what you are looking for, we can purchase a pattern that meets your needs. You will meet at the Lady VanWinkle’s studio, or an agreed upon location to review pattern options and thread color options that best fits your project. I’m here to help you finish your quilt. Together we will select the best pattern and thread color for your project. We use a high quality 40 wt. thread. We have Omni and Madura high quality thread available in many colors. If we don’t have exactly what you want, we can get it as long as they make it. Our passion is to add value to your project and to deliver your quilt in the shortest lead-time possible.
About Lady VanWinkle’s
Are you looking to buy a handcrafted quilt. Check out our Quilts for Sale. If you are looking to customize your own quilt? Click the following links for Longarm Stitching services or contact us.
About Lady VanWinkle’s
Lady VanWinkle’s provides a Longarm quilting service to quilters who want to enhance their hand crafted projects with high quality edge to edge stitches.
The owner, Diana Reedy VanWinkle, is passionate about working with you to choose the best pattern and thread color for your quilt. She provides a smoke free environment so your quilt leaves the studio smelling fresh.
All quilting is done using the Bernina Q24 Longarm machine with the Q-Matic computer that produces high quality stitches for the quilt you want to SHOWCASE or HEIRLOOM Quilt you want to pass down to a loved one.
Lady VanWinkle’s Studio is located in Cascade Locks.
About Lady VanWinkle’s
Are you looking to buy a handcrafted quilt. Check out our Quilts for Sale. If you are looking to customize your own quilt? Click the following links for Longarm Stitching services or contact us.
What Batting Should I Use For My Quilt?
It all depends on what you want out of a quilt. Are you looking for a lightweight or a heavyweight quilt? Do you want high or, low loft? Or is your quilt a piece of art?
If you want a heavier warm quilt with medium to high loft you might want to use a 100% cotton or an 80/20 cotton/polyester blend with a high loft that has been needle-punched. The benefits of using needle-punched cotton batting is that the batting will not separate or bunch up, even after many washings. You can purchase cotton batting with low, medium or high loft. The cotton/polyester blends have higher loft.
100% polyester batting gives a lightweight, high loft and holds up with repeated washings and heavy use.
If you are looking for lightweight and warmth you might use a 100% wool or a wool blend. Wool batting produces a lightweight quilt with lower loft and excellent loft retention. I use Hobbs Tuscany Collection which can be hand or machine washed. Use little agitation or wash in machine with no agitation. Too much agitation or steam could cause felting in wet wool. I have had much success using a front-loaded wash machine. Wool batting is available needle-punched. The wool gives warmth without the weight. The fiber breaths, allowing excess heat to disperse away from the body.
If you are wanting a batting for wall art, I would recommend using wool batting for the lightweight and the lower loft.
About Lady VanWinkle’s
Are you looking to buy a handcrafted quilt. Check out our Quilts for Sale. If you are looking to customize your own quilt? We are here to help you, click the following links for Longarm Stitching services or contact us.
Does Lady VanWinkle’s Provide a Binding Service?
So, you love to quilt but you don’t like the binding process? That’s great. We would love to bind your quilt for you. One way to add value to you quilt is the heirloom binding stitch. Lady VanWinkle’s provides a beautiful finished binding stitch and she is ready to help you finish your quilt. See the binding stitch below. Now is a great time to get your quilt bound as the Binding pricing has just been reduced. CLICK on one of the links below to visit Lady VanWinkle’s.
About Lady VanWinkle’s
Are you looking to buy a handcrafted quilt. Check out our Quilts for Sale. If you are looking to customize your own quilt? Click the following links for Longarm Stitching services or contact us.
What Services Does Lady VanWinkle’s Offer?
Lady VanWinkle’s LLC offers many services which include but are not limited to Quilting, Binding, Blocking & Trimming and Longarm Basting for hand quilters. So if you just want to focus on your piece work contact Lady VanWinkle’s LLC and we’ll take care of you.
See Below Services and Pricing.
Edge to Edge/Pantograph
- Minimum $60. for quilts
- Low Density Pattern – $0.020 per square inch
- Basic, Larger Patterns, more than 1 inch space between patterns
- Medium Density Pattern – $0.025 per square inch
- Patterns, on average 1 inch space between patterns
- Heavy Density Pattern – $0.028 per square inch
- Patterns that are less than or equal to one inch on average
Thread/ Bobbins
- Thread is included in the pricing
Loading Fee
- 80″ X 80″ volume– $8.00
Batting
Ask about Batting availability at time of purchase – Currently we have:
- 100% cotton (Nature’s Touch; Warm & Plush)
- 80/20 Blend (Warm & Natural)
- 100% Wool (Hobbs Tuscany)
- 50%/50% cotton+wool (Pellon)
Block & Trim Quilt
- Baby or Lap Quilt – No Charge
- Twin or Full – $8.00
- Queen – $13.00
- King Size – $15.00
Binding
- Cost to prepare binding is included in price below: Cut, sew, iron|Customer provides material.
- Sew binding one side $0.15 per linear inch
- Sew binding both sides using Heirloom stitch $0.20
Basting for Hand Quilter
- Machine basted 1” stitch every 5 to 6 inches to prepare for hand quilting – $0.1 per square inch, minimum $30.
About Lady VanWinkle’s
Are you looking to buy a handcrafted quilt. Check out our Quilts for Sale. If you are looking to customize your own quilt? Click the following links for Longarm Stitching services or contact us.
Are You Still Waiting To Get Your Quilt Back From The Quilter?
Are you tired of waiting to get your quilt back from the quilter? Most quilters have a four week turnaround time or longer. Do you need your quilt fast? See Lady VanWinkle’s in Cascade Locks. At Lady VanWinkle’s you can get your quilt back in one week or less. Get your project quilted with high quality stitches. Lady VanWinkle has the Bernina Q24 with the Q-Matic computer. Don’t wait for weeks to get your quilt back. Go to Lady VanWinkle’s.
About Lady VanWinkle’s
Are you looking to buy a handcrafted quilt. Check out our Quilts for Sale. If you are looking to customize your own quilt? Click the following links for Longarm Stitching services or contact us.