Quilt Sampling

Here are a few photos of the quilters yard sale. I had a great turn out and met some new people. The weather was great and I sold alot of fabric but still hardly put a dent in my inventory. I hung up my quilts on my fence which made a nice colorful display it was also a way for the ladies to see my work up close. Thank you for making it a successful day.

Sit back and enjoy this small quilt show enhanced with music for your listening pleasure.
These are my personal quilts that I have made and machine quilted. Feel free to click on
any photo to enlarge the picture.
Continue down the page to also get information on the following:
-Figuring Your Quilting Cost
-Quilts I Do Not Accept
-Preparing your Quilt Top for Machine Quilting
-Quilt Construction Tips
-What Is Freehand Quilting?

Quilt Samples

The black and white quilt (center panel) is from a book called: "Women of Grace and Charm"
The flying geese border is my own addition including the letters in the four corners which
spell out "Home."
Below: "Flowers by Four" the pattern is from the booklet "Mom and Me" by Whimsicals
I changed the pattern a little by adding the "heart-n-hand" block to the four corners.

Quilt Samples

Click on any picture to enlarge.

My blackbird quilt recieved

"Reserve Grand Champion"

at 2008 Puyallup Fair.

The Red "African Queen"

quilt is my own original design.

as well as the red and white

sampler quilt (Pattern Available)

Figuring your Quilting Costs

Quilting is charged by the square inch and by the style of quilting
Quilt width x Quilt Length x cost per square inch= quilting cost
Example:
A quilt that measures 75"x 85" x 0.014 cents per sq. inch= $89.25

The Following Prices are for quilts 65"x 70" up to 99"x 99"
Edge to Edge Quilting: $0.014 per sq. inch
Freehand quilting that repeats the same pattern through out the entire quilt top from edge to edge.
Custom Quilting: $0.018 per sq. inch
A combination of elements, designs and fillers to give a more custom look.
Heavy Custom Quilting: $0.04 per sq. inch
When more is better or you prefer a more densely quilted look, then heavy quilting is the choice. It is a combination of elements, designs, and fillers that is put together in such a way as to give a more "Show Quality."

The Following Prices are for quilts 100"x 100" and over (size limit is 120"x 120")
Edge to Edge Quilting: $0.020 per sq. inch
Custom Quilting: $0.024 per sq. inch
Heavy Custom Quilting: $0.06 per sq. inch

The Following Prices are for quilts 45"x 45" up to 45" x 65"
Edge to Edge Quilting: $0.023 per sq. inch
Custom Quilting: $0.025 per sq. inch
Heavy Custom Quilting: $0.04 per sq. inch

The Following Prices are for quilts smaller than 45"x 45"
Edge to Edge Quilting: $40 flat rate
Custom Quilting: $50 flat rate
Heavy Custom Quilting: $75 flat rate

If your quilt top does not fall within the sizes listed, choose the size that your top is closest to and that will give you a ball park idea on what the cost will be. If it falls exactly between two size categories the pricing will be adjusted between the two price ranges.

Quilts are scheduled in by first come, first serve basis. I'm generally 2 to 3 months out. I have a week turnaround for each quilt. That means that if you drop your quilt off at your scheduled time, you should have it back within 7 days. This is true in most cases. However there are times that quilts may have to be shoved back a week or two longer due to unforseen interruptions.

• Because my quilting service is a hobby, I accept cash or personal checks only.
• You may pay for your quilting at the time you drop it off, or when your picking it up.
• Or you can make a deposit on the quilting service when you drop it off, and pay the balance when you pick it up.
• After your quilt has been quilted, prompt pick up is required generally within 7 days.
• After your quilt has been quilted, I do not hold the quilt longer than 90 days unless you have made payment arrangements with me. If I have not heard from you within 90 days I will assume that you have abandoned the quilt, and therefore the quilt will be sold on ebay or local auction to recoup my labor and supply charges.
• If you are on a budget, and would like to be able to get your quilt top quilted, we can discuss payment arrangements in weekly or monthly increments. However the quilt will remain unquilted until all payments have been met. This way if you change your mind or realize that you cannot fulfill the payment arrangements, then your under no obligations and all payments will be returned.
• If you are mailing your quilt to me and wish me to ship it back to you, there will be shipping charges added to the quilting total. You will need to mail a check to me including shipping charges before I ship your quilt back to you. I will be able to give you a total amount on the shipping before you send the check.
• Since shipping charges change everyday, you will not be responsible for shipping charges that exceed the amount I quote you. If shipping charges have dropped by $2 or more by the time I ship your quilt I will send you a refund check on the difference. If you wish to purchase insurance on your quilt that will also be an additional charge. I generally ship, Fed Ex or the least expensive route.
• Once I have shipped your quilt off, and I have a tracking number to give you, I am no longer responsible for your quilt. If your quilt is lost through the mailing systems, you have recourse in recouping your loss only if you can show reciepts and only up to the amount you have insured it for. I keep all shipping reciepts on file. I can send you a copy any time.
• Know that in most cases everything goes fine, but there is always that small percentage of a chance that your quilt could get lost in the shuffle. Most people I quilt for do not purchase additional insurance.
• To contact me about any questions you may have, email me at: almcclelland58@yahoo.com

I do not accept the following quilt tops

• Tee shirt quilts or any quilts with stretch knit fabrics.
• Denim quilts made from heavy jeans or any heavy weight fabrics.
• Quilts with applique that has been applied with thick fusible webbing, it's like quilting through cardboard.
• Quilts with severe construction problems like: blocks that puff up and do not lay flat, warped quilts, warped borders. Warped quilts are difficult to even load on the machine, it is best to fix these problems before you bring me your quilt top.
• Batik backings, I have found that every time I do a quilt with batik backing fabric it throws a wrench in the tension on my machine and can take hours and hours to get the tension back to normal. I think this is due to the nature of the fabric. I've had problems with other fabrics as well, like polished cottons.
• Backing fabric that is poly/cotton

Preparing your quilt for machine quilting

• Trim all loose and excess threads, especially on quilts that have alot of white background material. If a dark thread ends up showing through the fabric, it will be your responsibility to fish it out later.
• Press your quilt top and backing. If you bring it wrinkled it will be quilted wrinkled. It's best to press your quilt top and backing and then place it on a hanger to keep it wrinkle free.
• I do not provide batting, so make sure your batting and backing fabric is larger than your quilt top, at least 4" larger on every side. A quilt that measures 60"x 70" would need backing and batting cut 68"x 78" or larger.
• Piecing your backing fabric together is your responsibility. If you need additional hints or tips on how to do this please email me at: almcclelland58@yahoo.com There are generally two ways to piece your backing fabric together, 1.) with the seams going lengthwise 2.) with the seams going widthwise. Pay attention to directional prints and piece together accordingly. *Hint: It takes less fabric to piece your backing widthwise.
• Quilt tops that have all seams pressed open lay flatter and quilt better, because pressing seams open eliminates the thick lumps. I cannot quilt through thick lumpy seams. However it is not a prerequisite, just a friendly suggestion.
• When piecing fabric for the back of your quilt make sure you trim off any selvage beyond your seam line. Selvages are tightly woven and if not trimmed can make the seams pucker.
• When pressing your quilt, do not use a scrubbing motion, this can warp the fabric especially in the borders.
• If your quilt top is poorly constructed, machine quilting will not improve these mistakes.

Quilt Construction Tips

• Square up all blocks before sewing the blocks together
• Measure and cut borders accurately to avoid the dreaded "cinched or ruffled" look. Most people make mistakes in the borders more than anywhere else in their quilt top.
• If you make a mistake while piecing "Stop" and fix it instead of making due.
• Use an accurate 1/4" seam guide
• Do not use a scrubbing motion while pressing your quilt.

What is Freehand Quilting?

Freehand quilting is performed by having a design, image or idea in mind and moving and manipulating the machine in the motions needed to transfer the design from the mind of the quilter to the quilt.
It is artistically done as if the needle on the machine were the pencil and the quilter the artist. Nothing is programmed into the machine to carry out the designs, they are literally quilted in by the quilter through his/her own artistic ability.
Freehand quilting continues to be the top choice for custom quilting because of the versatility it offers.