I love quilting. You probably do too — that’s why you’re here in the Scout circle, right?

But let me make a confession: I don’t love the quilting step. I adore fabric pulls, piecing blocks, chain-piecing while sipping something fizzy… but the actual quilting? Meh. That’s why I happily tag in my favorite longarm quilter to finish the job with finesse.

And guess what? This month’s UFO Badge is the perfect time to send your quilt top out into the world and let someone else quilt it — guilt-free and judgment-free, because teamwork makes the quilt dream work.

If you’ve never teamed up with a longarm quilter before, keep reading. I’m giving you the full camp map: how it works, how to prep your quilt, and what to expect.

What Even Is Longarm Quilting?

Longarm quilting uses a specialized machine on a big ol’ frame that holds your quilt sandwich in place. The machine glides over the surface, stitching an edge-to-edge design that’s either guided by hand or digitized.

It’s perfect for quilting big projects — or when your domestic machine groans at the sight of a twin-size top.

Longarm Quilting Services by Trace Creek Quilting | Pantograph: Bean Drop

Why Send a Quilt to a Longarm Quilter?

Pros:

• No wrestling a quilt through your home machine.
• Skip the basting step entirely (yes please).
• Professional-level designs that elevate the whole quilt.
• Did I mention no basting?

Cons:

• Costs more than DIY (but honestly, worth every penny).
• There’s usually a turnaround time — 2–6 weeks is common.

Prepping Your Quilt Top for Launch

Think of this like prepping your project for space camp. The better you prep, the smoother the mission.

Square It Up

Lay your quilt top flat, trim those edges, and square those corners. Wavy borders = turbulence on the quilting frame.

Staystitch the Edges

Sew a line of stitches ⅛” from the outer edge of the quilt top. It keeps seams from popping open mid-shipment and minimizes stretching. Totally worth the 10-minute detour.

Snip Those Threads

Turn your top over and give it a thread haircut. Those dark rogue threads can shadow through your quilt.

Press Like You Mean It

Press the top with intention — steam, starch, or your favorite potion of choice. Flat quilt = happy quilter.

Mark the Top

If your quilt has a directional element, mark the “top” with a safety pin or sticky note. Same goes for your backing.

Lint Roll Like a Scout on Inspection Day

Pet hair, fuzz, thread tails — banish them all. A lint roller and a folding strategy will go a long way. Start with the quilt face-down, roll the back, fold, roll, repeat. Trust me.

Preparing the Quilt Back

Size Matters

Your backing needs to be at least 4″ bigger on all four sides than your quilt top. For a 60″x70″ quilt top, your backing should be 68″x78″ minimum.

Piece It Right

• Use a ½” seam.
• Trim selvages.
• Press seams open.
• Keep the print going in the same direction if it matters to you (or lean into chaos if that’s your vibe).

Square Your Backing Too

Same rules apply here — squared edges make for a smooth load on the frame.

What About Batting?

You can send your own, but most longarm quilters have high-quality batting on hand for a reasonable price. If you do send your own, make sure it’s also 4″ bigger on all sides than your top. No exceptions — space is tight on the frame!

Pantographs, Thread, & All the Fancy Bits

What’s a Pantograph?

It’s a repeating digital design stitched edge-to-edge across your quilt. You get to pick the vibe — florals, geometric, swirls, dinosaurs — whatever fits the project.

Try sites like Urban Elementz, The Longarm League, Dastardly Quilt Studio, or The Panto Shop if you want to browse, but your quilter will usually have a go-to collection.

Not Sure What to Pick?

Your longarm quilter is your guide. Ask them what they recommend! They’ve seen hundreds of quilts and know what will shine.

Thread Color Talk

Blend or bold? Subtle or statement? You can match your background fabric or choose a mid-tone thread that plays nice with all the colors. Want contrast? Go for it — but ask your quilter what they’d suggest.

How to Package Everything

• Fold quilt top + backing neatly.
• Place them in a sealable plastic bag.
• Add a note with your name and any special instructions.
• If your quilter uses order forms, include that too.
• Then pop it in a box or padded envelope, and send it off to get finished while you work on your next UFO.

What to Expect

• Clear communication: Your quilter should confirm receipt and details like pantograph, thread color, and delivery timeline.
• Photo proof or a sneak peek is always fun (and common).
• Finished quilt shows up neatly folded, ready for binding.
• Expect to pay $0.02–$0.03 per square inch, plus batting and shipping.
• Turnaround times vary — plan ahead or ask about rush options.

Bonus: Hire a Fellow Scout

Did you know several Quilt Scouts members are also longarm quilters? We’ve rounded them up into a handy post inside the Circle community so you can send your top to a fellow badge-earning Scout.

👉 Visit the “Hire a Scout” Space → Longarm Quilters

Support a fellow Scout, knock out that UFO, and earn your badge in style.

So go ahead, beam that top out into the universe, and let someone else do the quilting magic. You’ve done the hard work — now let a pro help bring it across the finish line.