Longarm Quilting Services
We are pleased to offer hand guided edge-to-edge longarm quilting services on quilts of all sizes. Most of the information you will need is listed below, but please contact me if you have any questions or would like to book in your quilt to be quilted. I do all of my quilting in my home studio, which is smoke and pet free.
As a special offer for new clients, all longarm quilting services* will be 20% off between now and September 30th, 2024.
I know it can be nerve wracking to hand your precious quilts over to someone else for finishing. I don't take this privilege lightly and I deeply appreciate you trusting me with your quilting needs. To see some recent samples, click here to visit the photo gallery.
*Discount does not apply to supply of batting if required.
Quilting
All longarm quilting here at Brave Little Buckaroo is performed by me (Tamsyn) on my brand new pride and joy - the Handi Quilter Forte 24. As my machine is not computerised, each stitch is guided by hand, offering a personal touch and human component to the finishing of your pride and joy - your quilt. While I always endeavour to offer the highest quality service, given that I personally am not a machine, some small imperfections should be expected and accepted as part of the unique handmade process.
I currently offer edge-to-edge pantograph style quilting, which is a repeating pattern quilted in horizontal rows down the entire length of the quilt. You may choose from a selection of edge-to-edge designs to complement the style and scale of your quilt. I will then visually follow a pre-printed paper pattern to complete the hand guided quilting.
I hope to expand into more free motion and custom quilting in the not too distant future.
Pricing
Quilting is priced by the size of your quilt at a rate of $5 per square foot. (This is equal to just under 3.5 cents per square inch.) To determine the cost of quilting, multiply the width and length of your quilt in inches and then divide by 144 to find the total number of square feet.
For example, a 60"x60" quilt is 3,600 square inches.
Divided by 144 is 25 square feet.
Multiplied by $5/square foot is a total quilting cost of $125.
Please note that there is a minimum charge of $60 per quilt, regardless of size. If you have a number of small items to be quilted at once, a custom pricing plan can be discussed.
Additional Services
Binding: If you wish, I can attach the binding to the front of your quilt while it is still on the frame, ready for you to fold over and stitch to the back. The cost of this service is as follows:
You provide prepared binding and I attach it: 10c/inch OR
You provide binding fabric and I prepare the binding AND attach it: 15c/inch.
For example, a 60" by 60" quilt requires 250" of prepared binding. This includes an extra 10" for joining the ends with a diagonal seam.
Cost of attaching prepared binding: $25.
Cost of preparing AND attaching binding: $37.50.
Should you wish for me to also hand stitch the binding to the back of your quilt, the cost of this service is 50c/inch. The total cost for hand stitching the binding onto a 60"x60" quilt, as in the example above, would be an additional $120.
If you are unsure, please contact me prior to preparing your binding or binding fabric to determine exactly how much will be required for your quilt. Please note that if you think you will need to square up your quilt after quilting, attaching the binding before removing from the frame is not recommended.
Trimming: I am happy to trim the excess backing and batting from the edges of your quilt before returning it to you. There is no charge for this service, please just let me know whether or not you require it. All trimmed materials will be returned to you with the finished quilt.
Thread: My usual thread of choice is Rasant, which is a 60wt cotton thread with a polyester core for strength. This thread is included in the price of quilting. Should you require a alternate thread, further costs may be incurred.
Quilt Top Preparation
For best results, I would encourage you to carefully prepare your quilt top for longarming. Your quilt top should be prepared as follows:
Stitch a Victory Lap! When you have finished piecing your quilt top, I recommend sewing a straight line of stitching all the way around the outside edge. This prevents any outside seams from coming apart and helps keep the edges of your quilt top from stretching. This line of stitching should be approximately 1/8" from the edge of your quilt, which ensures that it will be hidden within the binding after quilting.
Press your quilt top. Remove any wrinkles and make sure all seams are neatly pressed either open or to one side. Your quilt top should be as flat, straight and square as possible.
Trim away any loose threads from both the front and back of your quilt top. Loose threads left untrimmed can get trapped between the layers and show through light fabrics in your finished quilt.
Label your quilt with your name and preferred contact details. This can be written on a piece of paper and securely attached to your quilt with a safety pin. Please also note the orientation of your quilt by labelling which edge is the top.
Make sure there are no other pins, safety pins, embellishments, etc., attached to your quilt top or backing fabric that could get caught up in the needle or machine during the quilting process.
All three layers of your quilt (top, batting, and backing) should be folded separately upon delivery. Please do not baste the layers of your quilt together in any way, as they must be attached to the frame individually.
Should your quilt top or backing require any additional preparation (i.e.: seams need pressing, loose threads need trimming, backing fabric needs piecing, etc.) these services will be charged at a rate of $35/hour. Any additional services will be discussed and quoted prior to quilting.
Please understand that while I will always do my absolute best to deliver high quality quilting, if your quilt top is not adequately prepared and/or there are significant imperfections in the the a quilt top (i.e.: pleats, puckers, excess fabric, incomplete seams, wavy borders, etc.) this will negatively impact the finished result of your longarm quilting. Should I foresee any complications, I will discuss them with you prior to beginning the quilting process.
Backing and Batting Preparation
Quilt batting/wadding should be cut at least 4" larger than your quilt top on all sides. If your quilt top is 60"x60" your batting must be at least 68"x68".
Quilt backing should be cut at least 5" larger than your quilt top on all sides. If your quilt top is 60"x60" your backing must be at least 70"x70".
This ensures that all three layers can be attached securely to the frame with adequate space for pins, clamps, etc, for best results.
If your quilt backing is pieced, please ensure you use a slightly larger seam allowance (at least 1/2") and press the seam open, not to one side. This is to avoid a visible bump over the seam line in the finished quilt. Wherever possible, it is preferable that this seam runs horizontally across the quilt rather than vertically down the quilt.
Postage
If you are not local to Perth, I am happy to receive and return your quilt via Australia Post. I recommend using registered mail with tracking and insurance for the best outcome and peace of mind. Return postage costs will be factored into your final quote. Please contact me to discuss.