Each quilt tells a story through its design, and your story must be told, along with those details that bring it to life. The longarm quilter ties your thoughts together on a quilt design, be it how the quilt looks, feels, or functions.
From thread stains to batting and by way of quilting design, clear communication between you and the finished quilt should do justice to your vision.
Design Direction: What Speaks to You?
Before anything else, think about quilting design preferences. Do you envision a crisp, geometric pattern, or something more flowing like feathers or florals? Each style adds a different personality to your quilt top.
- Geometric motifs work well with modern quilt tops.
- Feathers and swirls are great for traditional or heirloom designs.
- Florals can soften a quilt and add movement to solid or subtle fabrics.
You don't need to get technical, just express what you like. You can also give them a sketch or a reference photo to help the quilter toward your creative path.
Scale of the Design: Dense or Open?
Depending upon what quilt motif you pick, the design can be made dense or open. This affects texture, drape, and warmth.
- Dense quilted designs offer more structure and detail for quilts or pieces that are to be used frequently.
- An open quilting style feels softer, or more puffy, and is preferred for bed or lap quilts meant for cuddling.
Think about the functionality that your quilt is going to serve. Will it be hung on a wall, wrapped around a loved one, or kept as a memento?
Thread Talk: Color and Material Choices
Thread choice matters more than most expect. It either quietly blends in or makes a statement.
- Blending threads (often neutral or matching) allows the piecing to shine.
- Bold threads highlight the quilting itself.
- Variegated threads shift colors throughout and can bring added visual interest.
- Cotton vs. polyester may be a personal or practical choice—cotton offers softness, while poly brings strength.
Always mention your preferences, and ask if your quilter has samples or recommendations that suit your quilt top.
Batting Basics: What's Inside Counts
The batting you choose affects loft, warmth, and washability.
- Cotton batting is low-loft and natural; thus, it is great for the traditional look.
- Cotton/poly blends may have loft and more resilience to the structure.
- Wool or specialty battings provide warmth and dimension but may require special care.
If you're bringing your own batting, check with your quilter about sizing. Typically, it should be 4–6 inches larger than the quilt top on all sides to accommodate the quilting frame.
Who's It For?
All these decisions will be made depending on whom the quilt is made for-a child, wedding, or wall hanging. Make this clear. For instance:
- Baby quilt? Go soft, washable, and with light quilting.
- Heirloom piece? Go for detailed stitching and fine batting.
- Decorative quilt? Let the luster of thread and design draw attention.
Knowing for what purpose the quilt is going to be used will allow the quilter to align design choices with thread and batting.
Leave These Out
To avoid delays or issues during quilting, never include:
- Pins (they damage longarm machines)
- Buttons or embellishments before quilting
- Spray adhesive batting (it gums up the needle and machine)
Always present a flat, pressed top and backing ready for stitching.
Let Your Quilt Reflect You
Sharing preferences is not to complicate things but rather to deepen the process. A longarm quilter would like to deliver a quilt that will authentically speak to you. The more details you provide, the more personal and rewarding the end result will be.
Fabrics by the Creek supports quilters in every step. From picking out thread and batting to translating design concepts, the team makes certain your voice is part of every layer.
Have a quilt top ready? Reach out to Fabrics by the Creek and make it truly yours—start to finish.