About Machine Quilting 

Machine Quilting is the process of using either a longarm quilting machine, a domestic sewing machine or a shortarm quilting machine to join the three layers (quilt top + batting + backing) of a quilt together with an attractive stitching pattern.

A Professional Machine Quilter is a person who has a business for the purpose of quilting for clients who choose not to quilt their own quilt. A Professional Machine Quilter may use any type of quilting machine for this purpose.

A list of Professional Machine Quilters can be found on the Find A Quilter Page.

As each Professional Machine Quilter on the AMQA Find a Quilter Page is an individual who manages their own Machine Quilting business, there will be variation in the services offered by different Machine Quilters. Below is a typical list of services that may be offered by Professional Machine Quilters. Please check with each Machine Quilter which services they offer, if you are considering engaging them to quilt for you.

• edge-to-edge quilting
• custom quilting
• basting for hand quilters
• design advise
• commission quilts

What Happens to My Quilt?

The following is a snapshot of what may occur when a quilt is taken to a Machine Quilter

• you will drop off your quilt to the quilter and discuss contact information, design choices, thread choices, batting choices, time frame and cost. Your quilter may give you a written estimate with all of this information to take home. Some quilters may require a deposit.
• the quilter will prepare the quilt for quilting, checking that the backing is adequately sized and loading the quilt on to the frame for longarm quilting or basting if a domestic machine is to be used.
• the quilter will carefully quilt your quilt. Quilting can be quite a lengthy process - think about the amount of time the quilt took to piece - and the Machine Quilter will take a lot of care with quilting your quilt.
• once the quilting is complete, the quilter will contact you to make arrangements for returning the quilt to you and making payment for the quilting service provided. 

Some quilters may have a very fast turn around timeframe and some quilters may have a long waiting list. If timing is important, it is important to be upfront with the quilter about your requirements so that the quilter may accommodate you or refer you to another quilter if necessary.