Long arm details

I would love to help you take your quilt top and backing and turn them into a usable, cuddly quilt. Let's get those tops out of the closet and into the arms of those who will love and appreciate them for years to come!

Ma Tante Quilting - Size a Pantograph - Wishbone on Checkered Garden

Ma Tante Quilting - Size a Pantograph - Modern Loops on Ruby Beatrice

Ma Tante Quilting - Size a Pantograph - Hopscotch on Ivy League

Ma Tante Quilting - Size a Pantograph - Hammersmith on Meadowland

Ma Tante Quilting - Size a Pantograph - 60s Mod Butterflies on Ironwood Point

Ma Tante Quilting - Size a Pantograph - Diagonal Plaid on Bias on Buffalo Check

So how does this whole thing work?

Great question! Here's what happens:

You create an amazing quilt top and backing
You decide it's time to get this thing finished already!
You fill out the client sign up form by clicking on the above button
I contact you to discuss any questions you / I may have
You mail your top and backing to me
I quilt up your gorgeous quilt and send you a progress video
You get excited for the finished result
I send you a pile of pretty photos of the completed quilting
We both have heart eyes!
I send you an invoice
You pay it
I pop your quilt in the mail
Repeat!

How much is this going to cost?

That depends on a few things:

Quilting service

My specialty is all-over edge-to-edge quilting, which means that the same pattern will be repeated over the entire quilt. This is accomplished with my computerized long arm machine, meaning the pattern will be beautifully executed with perfectly round circles and the pointiest of points! Please note that I ONLY do edge-to-edge quilting, and do not do custom work.

Almost all of my patterns are charged at 4.0 cents per square inch. Only a few of them cost a bit more due to their complexity.

So for example, if you had a quilt that measured 60" x 72" (my favourite size of lap quilt!) you would figure out the cost as follows:

60 x 72 = 4,320 square inches x $0.04 = $172.80

There is a minimum charge of $80 for any quilt you submit.

Please note: all prices are in Canadian dollars.

Pantographs

I can quilt just about any pattern that you would like. I have a library of pantographs (digital quilting patterns) that I already own, but if you would like to use a pattern that is not in my library, I will bill you $10 towards the purchase of that pattern. I encourage you to find the pantograph of your dreams! If you'd like to see my current selection, you can view the gallery here.

You can also choose from any of the fabulous pantographs in our pantograph shop.

If you would like to search the Internet for your perfect pantograph, here are some great places to start:

Batting

As a convenience to my clients, I sell batting (at an additional cost) that comes on a roll that is 92" wide.

Purchasing your batting through me is fast and easy, is competitively priced, and will save on your shipping costs when you send your quilts to me.

I'm in love with Quilters Dream batting, and I stock the following 92" wide rolls:

Quilters Dream Bamboo - A luxurious blend of bamboo, silk, Tencel, and cotton. $8.00 / ft
Quilters Dream Cotton - 100% cotton in natural, Select loft. $7.00 / ft
Quilters Dream 80/20 - 80% Cotton, 20% polyester. $6.00 / ft

For a quilt that is 60" x 72", the cost of the batting would be as follows:

Bamboo - $42.00
Cotton - $36.72
80/20 - $31.50

For your oversized quilts, I also carry the following pre-packaged King-sized (120" x 122") battings:

Quilters Dream Wool - $110.00
Quilters Dream Bamboo - $105.00
Quilters Dream Cotton - $90.00

As you can see, the cost of the "fancy" batting isn't that much more than the least expensive choice. Why not treat yourself to something dreamy?

Having a hard time choosing between the different types of batting? Here's some info that might help you choose:

Quilters Dream Wool - If you're looking for a quilt with maximum "poofiness", this is the one for you. Made from Merino wool fibers which are carded and cross-lapped, the result is a thick yet light batting that will make your quilting stand out. Wool can be washed and dried on a low setting without shrinkage.
Quilters Dream Bamboo - Made from a renewable resources such as bamboo, this batting has a lovely drape and is incredibly soft. It's what I put in the majority of my own quilts, and holds up incredibly well to repeated washes.
Quilters Dream Cotton - What can we say, cotton is a classic! If you're looking for the heirloom "crinkle", this will be your best option.
Quilters Dream 80/20 - Cotton blended with 20% polyester adds a bit of durability for those quilts that will get a lot of use and washing. The polyester does make the batting a wee bit more stiff, but it's would be a great choice for a kid's quilt or a picnic quilt. The one drawback of this product is that it introduces more plastic into our world. If you're ecologically-minded, this might not be the best option.

If there is another type of Quilters Dream batting that you would like me to special order for you (such as the luxurious Wool or the surprisingly-great Puff), we can discuss!

You are always welcome to send along your own high-quality batting with your quilt top and backing!

Shipping

I live in a small town in Manitoba (Minnedosa), and as such most quilts will arrive via mail. That's great! If you happen to be local, you can drop off your quilt(s!) in person. Once I've finished quilting, I will obtain a shipping quote and add it to your invoice. When the invoice is paid, I will return your treasured quilt to you via Canada Post with tracking, insurance, and a required signature. Easy peasy!

What do I need to do before I drop my quilt in the mail?

Way to think ahead! If you want great results from your long arm experience, there are a few critical things you can do:

Press the top well
Clip any loose threads that you see
Mark the top of the quilt with a piece of masking / painter's tape
Fold it on the bias in order to reduce wrinkles. For a quick tutorial, you can watch my video here.

If you want to go the extra mile and learn ALL of my secrets to get the VERY BEST results, you can download my FREE Checklist. It's a handy-dandy tool to have when you're preparing to send your quilt to the longarmer, and will ensure you don't miss a step!

How big does my backing have to be?

In order for the long arm to work its magic, the backing should be at least 4" bigger than your quilt top on all four sides. This means that if you have a 60" x 72" quilt top, your backing should be at least 68" x 80". If your backing is directional, you can also mark its top with a piece of tape. That way everything will line up as you had hoped.