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Why Do I Get Skipped Stitches?

It’s not uncommon to get skipped stitches when sewing, especially after sewing a few large projects. If experience skipped stitches change your needle. Needles wear out due to the constant friction. Some materials such as Batiks are harder on the needle and require a needle change between projects. Good quality needles are important. Schmetz makes a great sewing machine needle. There are also titanium coated needs that last through a few projects. If you are a Longarm Quilter you probably use a 40 wt. thread if so, you want to use a #18 needle; although, I frequently use a #16 in my Bernina Q24 and it seems to work just fine. Unless you are using a titanium needle, I recommend change your needle every time you start a new project. If this doesn’t work, clean out your bobbin case area. It’s surprising how much thread dust builds up inside the machines.

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 Type Of Batting Should I Use?

There are several good brands of batting in the marketplace. I use 100% cotton or an 80/20 cotton blend 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. When washing use as little agitation as possible or wash in machine with no agitation.

Another batting I like to use is 100% wool. Wool batting produces a light weight quilt with excellent loft retention. I use Hobbs Tuscany Collection which can be hand or machine washed. When washing use as little agitation as possible or wash in machine with no agitation. Too much agitation or steam could cause felting in wet wool. I have have had much success using a front load wash machine.

Quilts with cotton batting are heavier weight and have lower loft; where as, the Wool batting has a lighter weight and a higher loft. The wool gives warmth without the weight. The fiber breaths, allowing excess heat to disperse away from the body.

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.

Preparing My Quilt For The Longarm Quilter?


You want to make sure all your seams are ironed flat. This is one of the most important step to producing a high quality product. Check for loose hanging threads on the top side of your quilt; we will remove if you miss a few. Trim all long hanging threads at the seams and the backside of your pieced work.

It is not always easy to make a perfectly sqared quilt. One way to check your quilt is to measure across the top, middle and bottom. Take these measurements top to bottom and side to side. Depending on the quilt pattern and borders you may be able to trim the edges to square your quilt. If you are only off by a 1/2″ it’s probably not a big deal. If you are off more than a 1/2″ I will have to alter your quilt to lay flat. Some alterations are extra costs.

Other important step, make sure the batting and backing have at least a 4 inch allowance on all sides. The best way to calculate material needed is to measure the length and width of your quilt and add 8 inches to the length and the width. If your backing is short, leader line can be sewn to your quilt back. Adding leaders is an extra cost.

It’s okay to leave the selvage on your backing outer edges only. Salvage must be removed from all piece work in you quilt top. When salvage is left in the areas that will be longarm stitched stops may occur. Also, the shrink factor in the selvage is different than the material. Remove the selvage!

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.

Do You Have A Paisley Stitch Design?

Yes we have a Paisley_Swirl design. It is a frequent choice among the quilter right now. Our machine is the Bernina Q24 Qmatic. This machine produces high quality stitches. Are you ready to send your quilt to a Longarm Quilter. Click on the link below.

PAISLEY_SWIRL

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 are Lady VanWinkle’s Services & Pricing?

We try to stay competitive with our pricing. We do not charge for the bobbin thread but, we do charge for a loading fee on quilts larger than a twin size due to the amount of time it takes to load the larger quilts. See Pricing below.

Edge to Edge/Pantograph

  • Minimum $60. for quilts (May include the trimming).
  • 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

  • Lap & Twin – $0.00
  • Full & Queen Size – $10.00
  • King size – $13.00

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 Quilt – Included in the $60 minimum fee.
  • Lap & Twin – $6.00
  • Full Size – $8.00
  • Queen Size – $10.00

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 $0.25

Basting for Hand Quilter

  • Machine basted 1” stitch every 5 to 6 inches to prepare for hand quilting – $0.1 per square inch, minimum $25

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.

Why Should I Use A Longarm Quilter?


A Longarm quilter has a specialised quilting machine that stitches the quilt top, batting and backing together. Longarm stitches add life and value to your quilt. Lady VanWinkle’s has the Bernina Q24 with the Q-Matic computerized patterns. The Bernina Longarm machine produces high quality stitches. If we don’t have the stitch pattern your are looking for we can purchase one online.

Quilting is a passion for many of us. We make quilts for our loved ones and many of our quilts will be passed down for generations to come. This is what makes our quilts priceless.

And don’t forget about you….there is nothing like being wrapped in a cozy quilt reading a good book. If you’re looking to add quality to your quilt, see Lady VanWinkle’s contact page.

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.

Reduced Pricing For Longarm Services

Edge to Edge/Pantograph

  • Minimum $50.00 for quilts (Trimming is included in Small projects)
  • 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 above

Loading Fee

$8.00 for quilts larger than 80″ X 80″

Batting

Ask about Batting availability at time of purchase – Currently we have:

  • 100% cotton (Warm & Plush)
  • 80/20 Blend (Warm & Natural)
  • 100% Cotton (Hobbs Tuscany)
  • 100% cotton (Pellon)

Trim Quilt

  • Baby Quilt – No Charge
  • Lap and Twin- $4.00
  • Full Size – $6.00
  • Queen Size – $8.00
  • King Size – $10.00

Binding

  • Cost to prepare binding is included in price below: Cut, sew, iron|Customer provides material.
  • Sew binding one side $0.12 per linear inch
  • Sew binding both sides using Heirloom stitch $0.18

Basting for Hand Quilter

  • Machine basted 1” stitch every 5 to 6 inches to prepare for hand quilting – $0.1 per square inch, minimum $25
Longarm Quilting
New reduced pricing. See Lady VanWinkle’s Longarm Quilting.

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.

Can I Use One Large Piece of Fabric For My Quilt Top?

Yes, you can use one piece of fabric for your quilt top. Your quilt top does not need to be a piece work top. There are many beautiful fabric patterns available. I have seen quilts with Grunge fabric on one side and a complimentary pattern fabric on the other side,no piece work. It does give the quilt a modern feel. You can purchase fabric 180 inches wide on the bolt; however, if you can’t find a pattern you like, you can purchase the standard bolt of fabric which is usually 44 inches. If you choose the latter you will need to purchase two to three times the desired length and cut and sew the fabric together to get the width you want. There are online videos that show this process. If you choose this path for you quilt and you are ready for a Long arm quilter to quilt your Top, Batting and Backing contact 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.

How Do I Prepare My Quilt For Longarm Quilting?

You want to make sure all your seams are ironed flat and there is not a lot of fabric bulk. This is one of the most important step to producing a high quality product. Too much fabric bulk can cause skipped stitches during the Longarm quilting process. Check for loose threads on the top side; we will remove thread if you miss a few. Trim all long hanging threads on the back of your top quilt.

It is not always easy to make a perfectly squared quilt. One way to check your quilt is to measure across the top, middle and bottom. Take these measurements top to bottom and side to side. Depending on the quilt pattern and boarders you may be able to trim the edges to square your quilt. If you are only off by a 1/4″ it’s probably not a big deal but, no more than 1/2″.

Make sure the batting and backing have at least a 4 inch allowance on all sides. The best way to calculate material needed is to measure the length and width of your quilt and add 8 inches to the length and the width. It’s okay to leave the selvage on your backing outer edges. The selvage will need to be removed from any seams in the backing. Absolutely no selvage in the top quilt. Selvage can cause skipped stitches during the Longarm stitching process. Also, the shrink factor in the selvage is different than the material. Remove the selvage!

Press and remove loose threads.

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.

Can I Piece Together Leftover Batting?

I always recommend using a one piece batting on all quilts that are going to receive heavy use. If you decide to piece together your leftover batting, do not use iron on tape. The iron on tape does not hold batting together as the batting is not stable and the tape will separate from the batting. Instead butt the pieces together and run a zigzag stitch to secure the pieces together. This will help prevent the longarm stitching from having stops in the middle of the stitch design. My goal as a Longarm stitcher is to not have any stops.

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.