Helen H Originals

Helen H OriginalsHelen H OriginalsHelen H Originals

Helen H Originals

Helen H OriginalsHelen H OriginalsHelen H Originals
  • Home
  • Quilting Services
    • Quilting
    • Preparing Your Quilt
    • Pricing
    • Booking Form
  • Blog
  • Shopping
  • Photo Gallery
  • More
    • Home
    • Quilting Services
      • Quilting
      • Preparing Your Quilt
      • Pricing
      • Booking Form
    • Blog
    • Shopping
    • Photo Gallery
  • Home
  • Quilting Services
  • Blog
  • Shopping
  • Photo Gallery

Let me help you out with your unfinished quilt tops!

I have been quilting since the mid-70s. I love hand quilting, but these days we just don't seem to have the time! I have found that machine quilting can give a beautiful finish to a quilt, as well as giving us the opportunity to have completed quilts for home and gifting at an affordable price. There is NO COMPROMISE to quality, it is just different from hand quilted.


Visit my options available or pricing page for additional information, and see below for some tips and tricks to help you prepare your quilt for finishing. 

Tips and Tricks

Preparing Your Quilt Top

Remove Threads

To get the very best quilting result for your quilt, it is worthwhile to take the time to ensure all threads are removed from the back (and front).

Take Care With Borders

Ensure your quilt sits flat by taking care in putting on borders. See below if you are unsure how to do this, or ask your local quilt shop or quilt group. Wavy borders (too large) or tight borders (too small) will result in an uneven finished quilt, often including gathers or tucks in the border and can be a huge disappointment. See Adding Borders below.


Additional Tips

When Creating the Backing

Ensure your backing fabric and batting are at least 4 inches wider and longer than your quilt top ON ALL SIDES (a total of at least 8 inches extra across). Please remove selvedges from seams and edges and press seams open.

Keep it Straight

Do your best to have all edges on the top and backing straight. This helps with alignment on the machine and in keeping your quilt square.

No pins

Do not pin or baste your quilt, batting and backing sandwich.

Press Me

It is preferable that quilt tops have been well pressed.

Check for Threads

Check that threads are trimmed off, as they can show through - especially dark threads under light fabrics.

Which Way Up?

Indicate which is the top of your quilt and backing if it is directional or if you have a preference on orientation.

No Marking

Do not mark your quilt top with quilting ideas. Put them on paper!

Adding Borders

No one wants swoopy corners!

Whether for a wall hanging, a bed quilt, or a medallion quilt, learning to add borders that fit correctly is important so they don't draw up the centre or make swoopy corners.

Tips for a flat quilt

  • Measure the length of the quilt through the centre, not at the edge. Edges often stretch.
  • Cut two borders to this measurement and apply it to the long sides of the quilt after first pinning at the ends, centre, and at the 1/4 marks if it is a long quilt.  
  • Repeat this process for the top and bottom borders by measuring the width through the centre. Cut and apply in the same manner.
  • Enjoy your flat quilt!

Contact Me

Send Message

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Let me know how I can help!

Do you have a question about my products or my process?

Send me a message and I'll get back to you soon!




Helen H Originals / HelHO Machine Quilting

31 Gledstane Road, Stanmore Bay, Whangaparaoa 0932, New Zealand

helen@helenhoriginals.co.nz

Hours

Open today

08:00 – 14:00

Monday - Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Other Times By Appointment Only

Copyright © 2022 Helen H Originals - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by GoDaddy

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

Accept