What is Longarm Quilting

What is Longarm Machine Quilting?

Long arm quilting uses a long arm quilting machine. The quilter creates the quilt sandwich (the top, batting and back) onto a metal frame, one layer at a time. Then the three layers are quilted. The machine head rolls vertically and horizontally, allowing it to quilt while the fabric stays in place. Depending on the machine, operation may be manual or run by a computer, which can quilt designs automatically.  Jamie Wallen (one of my favorite quilting teachers) once told me to think of the machine as an electric pencil.  You just hold it a little differently.

Is a Professional Making YOUR T-Shirt Quilt?

Is a Professional Making YOUR T-Shirt Quilt? 

Not All T-Shirt Quilt Makers are Created The Same 

WHAT? Some companies (or crafters) actually send their quilt projects off-site while their customers think that their special tees will stay at the place they mailed them. In many cases, the quilt-maker is sub-contracting some or part of the quilt process. Maybe they are piecing the quilt top, then sending it to someone else to quilt it. This happens because this place is NOT a professional business.

A professional t-shirt quilt maker is making your quilt start to finish. They have the equipment. They have the materials. They have the employees. They are not farming out any work to someone else. This happens for several reasons; see my post on Who Is Making Your T-Shirt Quilt. Look for a company that will complete your quilt 'in house' and reduce the risk of sending your treasured tees to someone else.

How does this affect your quilt?

Find out if your quilt-maker is actually making your entire quilt. There are several things to consider.

You send your tees to the quilt-maker. You should expect that they stay 'on-site' and not sent to another location. (This is different than a company having employees who work on your quilt.)

Using sub-contractors involve additional time and cost for the person making your quilt/blanket. A professional business will give you a price up front and there should be no surprises in the final cost.

A specific turn-around date. Industry norm is 4 to 6 weeks. Anything longer than that, should give you concern that the quilt maker is in over their head. (Ours is 4-6 weeks even during peak seasons - we just work the extra hours to get everything done)

Will a sub-contractor take the same care that a professional will give to your tshirts?

Does your quilt maker have business insurance?

What Questions You Should be Ask Your T-Shirt Quilt Company?

• Once my shirts arrive, do you ever send them off-site? Where is this off site (i.e. a neighbor or mailing it off somewhere).
• What is their quilting experience? How many years in business?
• Do they have business insurance to cover your project?
• Do you use subcontractors or full time employees? 
• Should You Risk Sending Your T-Shirts to a Quilt-Maker That Uses Sub-Contractors (or friends)? 

Ask yourself why your quilt project is being sent off site… Is it because they don't have the skills or equipment to complete your job professionally? Are your shirts being sent to a buddy to work on? Are they professionals? Are they doing this as a hobby?


At Shadywood Quilts we make all of our quilts in house. We have experienced employees that will work on your quilt and give you a quilt that you will treasure for a lifetime.

What is Difference Between Quilt and a Blanket?

So, you want to have a T-Shirt Quilt made from your shirts.  How do you select from what seems like hundreds of tee-shirt or T-Shirt Quilt makers?

Rather than looking for a 'local' t-shirt quilt maker - lets figure out  whether you are getting a quilt or a blanket.

What is a T-Shirt QUILT?

First of all, you need to understand the difference between a QUILT and a BLANKET.    According to the dictionary: 

quilt

kwilt/ noun:quilt;   a warm bed covering made of padding enclosed between layers of fabric and kept in place by lines of stitching, typically applied in a decorative design.

blan·ket

ˈblaNGkət/ cover completely with a thick layer of something.

 
That is interesting - 'A layer of something' - that is what you need to be on the lookout for. Read the details on any website and if they bother to tell you what they put on the back, you'll see things like "a brand new sheet" or "fleece".  

Fleece is usually a keyword meaning - no batting. To cut costs, some non-professionals with use fleece ($3 bucks a yard at Joann's) instead of a layer of batting and layer of cotton backing fabric. Keep in mind that the top of your quilt is mostly cotton, and fleece is usually a polyester.

The 'new sheet'  should really raise a red flag.  Remember those cheap sheets you had when you were first on your own that made those little nubbies?   At least ask them what the thread count is for the sheets.   You can have a quilt with a sheet for the backing, it is just not recommended.  

Keep in mind that professional quilters will have a wholesale account with one or more fabric distributors, and shouldn't be depending on a 40% off coupon from Joann's.   They should provide quilt shop quality fabrics, batting and other supplies needed to complete your custom t-shirt quilt. 

At T-Shirt Quilts of Texas, we have over 500 bolts of fabrics to select the best color combinations for your special quilt.  We only use the highest quality materials to when making your quilt, and refuse to compromise on quality to save a few dollars.