Longarm Quilting Services

I specialize in digital edge-to-edge quilting and take both local and mail-in quilts. My goal is to provide exceptional customer service to help you create the quilt of your dreams.I quilt on a Handiquilter with a 12 foot frame and I accommodate any size quilt up to 110 inches.

Edge to edge quilting is $0.20 per square inch.

I only use Quilter's Dream 80/20 or cotton batting because I think the quality is unmatched. I'm happy to use your batting if you would like to send it with your quilt. Wool and bamboo available upon request at market price.

Current turn around is 2-3 weeks.

You must fill out the order form to initiate service. Quilts will be completed in the order they are received.

I am not currently accepting custom quilts.

Services

Edge-To-Edge Pantographs

We offer a wide selection of edge-to-edge pantographs to finish your quilt top beautifully.

All edge-to-edge quilting is $0.20 per square inch. To determine the cost of the quilting use this formula:

Width x Length x .020 = price

Example: A quilt top that is 60 x 60 x 0.020 = $72.00

Batting

I currently stock Quilters Dream 80/20 Batting. Batting is sold per linear inch for $0.35 per linear inch. I will need 4 additional inches to quilt your top.

Example: A quilt top that is 60 x 60 will need 64 linear inches.

64 inches x $0.35 is $22.40

You may use your own batting. If shipping, please note that the additional bulk can add substantially to the cost of shipping. Please use a high quality batting for best results.

Trimming

Trimming is not included. If desired, I can trim you quilt. This will be a quarter Inch from the borders of the quilt. It does not square the quilt top.

Returning Your Quilt

If you are local, we will arrange a time for pick-up.

Mail in customers will pay for return flat rate shipping by USPS. This includes $100.00 of insurance. Please note if you wish to have additional insurance.

Medium flat rate box - $15.50

Large flat rate box - $22.00

The cost for return shipping will be included on your invoice. Quilts will be mailed immediately after payment is received.

** We are required to charge Texas Sales Tax of $8.25% on quilting services for all clients. Sales tax will also be charged on batting for Texas clients (those outside of Texas are not subject to sales tax on batting).

Longarm Service Form

Backing FAQ's

I want you to be comfortable with every aspect of having your quilt done professionally. Communication is the key to happy customers. Here are some frequent questions I have been asked. If you still have a question, please email me at ellen@akersquiltdesign.com

Your backing should be 8 inches wider and 8 inches longer than your quilt top. This will allow 4 inches on each side for me to attach your quilt top to the longarm.
Loading each layer on the longarm (backing, batting, and quilt top) it is important that your backing has enough fabric to pull taunt on the top and bottom and each side. This allows the machine to run the pattern off the edges of your quilt so the repeat is attractive.
If your backing is bigger than 8 inches on each side, happy day!
What if your backing does not have 4 inches on each side? You can add some scrap fabric to the edges to extend it to 4 inches.
Press your seams flat.
Square up your quilt before sending. This means that your corners are right angles and your sides are straight.
If you have panels, special piecing, or labels on the back - how exciting! Just keep in mind that I cannot see the back once it is loaded on the machine and I will do my best to keep it all centered. A little grace is appreciated.
Does it matter if my backing seam if horizontal or vertical? No, I can quilt it either way, but if you have a choice when piecing, it does quilt out more nicely with a horizontal seam.
When piecing your backing use a wider seam allowance and press your seams open.
Should you starch or prewash? That's totally up to you. I never do either one to my backings unless it is red and my quilts wash up just fine.
Wide Backs - I love them! Make sure the sides are straight.
Flannel - Yes. It is usually recommended to prewash flannel because it shrinks more than quilting cotton. If you have to piece flannel, use a shorter stitch length and a larger seam allowance as it does tend to ravel more than quilting cotton.
Minky or Cuddle - Oh my goodness - who doesn't love a minky backing? It can be a little tricky on the longarm because it is so stretchy. Minky dots are my favorite but they stretch the most so it may distort some of the quilting pattern on the back. No one has ever noticed on my personal quilts. If you have to piece together minky, then make sure the stretch goes in the same direction. Minky can sometimes be pulled up into the quilt top by the needle, so it is always best to choose a thread color to match your backing.
T-shirt Quilts - Absolutely. I actually love making these and will be happy to make your entire quilt. See the tab above for pricing. If you make your own T-shirt quilt, I will longarm it if all of the knit fabrics have been stabilized. They just will not quilt out properly without the stabilization and it could damage my machine.

Additional Information

There is a minimum charge of $50 on quilting services for any one project. Regardless of the size, it takes time to prep, communicate, load the quilt, invoice and ship. The minimum charge helps me balance these tasks with smaller projects.
Send your pillows and table runners with your quilts. I often make mine to match and it is a breeze to quilt them all at one time.
If you need a project back faster than usual (baby shower next weekend anyone?) then please ask. I can usually accommodate those requests; however, any turnaround that requires me to work outside of my usual parameters will incur a $50 rush fee per project.
I have a 12 foot frame which can load 120 inches of backing fabric. This means a 112 inch quilt top is the largest I can quilt. There are no limits for length.
Items with wavy borders, folds in the piecing, or irregular backing may result in puckers captured by the quilting. I will do my best to ease out any extra fabric, but it is not always possible.