Make sure the quilt top lays flat. If the top is flared, has extra fullness or is flared, the quilt cannot be pulled out. Your longarm quilter can possibly take out some of the fullness with quilting patterns or styles that disguises this problem. This does not assure however that there may be some puckering or tucks around the edges.

Press your quilt top. Turn your quilt top over and make sure the seams lie flat and are pressed in opposite directions so as to minimize thick seam junctures.

Is the quilt top square? Measure the center of the vertically. Then measure the outside edges vertically. If there is more the ½ inch difference, it is possible that your quilt will have tucks when quilted. Do the same measurements horizontally.

Check quilt top for loose threads. Make sure there are no dark threads showing through lighter fabrics. If these threads are not trimmed, they will end up being quilted and they will permanently show through on the front. If your seams unravel easily, run a basting strip down the seams and clips to the seam thus preventing further unraveling.

Backstitch, backstitch, backstitch. When a quilt is loaded onto the quilting machine frame, it is stretched to assure no tucks appear on the quilt bottom and that the stitching is even on the top. Therefore, stress is placed on seams and junctures. To prevent seams from separating or tearing during the quilting process, always backstitch at the seam ends or junctures. Also, if you run a 1/8th inch seam all the way around the quilt, this is help to prevent "splitting at the seams."

Do not baste or layer your quilt.

To avoid "pokies" request the same color thread on the top and bottom.