Kits are available at the store.  I keep several kits for students to purchase and work on in class or on their own.  Please let me know if you would like to purchase a kit - (they are kept on the McManus Quilting shelf in the back).

 

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Machine Quilting for your special tops!

*See below if you would like to calculate your own estimate.

Please sign a customer acknowledgment sheet and have with quilt - if you already have one on file, you do not need to fill out a second sheet.

Quilts may be dropped off/picked up at Central Sewing in El Cajon or Memory Lane Quilt Shop in Santee during each store's regular hours.

Also available for your quilts:

Batting by the yard

 (93" wide)

70/30 Dream Blend - Soft to Hug - Yet Takes the Tug...  perfect harmony and  needle punched onto an ultra light scrim base. 

Dream  Blend 80/20 : $9/yard  

 Dream Puff Adds Volume and Definition to your Quilting without Adding Weight. For Additional Loft, Dream Puff Can Be Layered. 

Dream Puff: $8/yard (my favorite right now)

SELECT POLY
Midloft. Perfect for hand and machine quilting.  Available in white and midnight black.

Quilter's Dream Poly - Select $8/yd.

Dream Poly Select Black Batting (for dark quilts) $8/yd. 

Prepackage Batting

Prepackaged King size bats

 122" x 122"  $42.00

Prepackaged Queen Dream Poly 108" x 93"  $34.00  

New! Hi Loft Deluxe, DELUXE POLY
Weighty loft. Wonderful for machine quilting. Soft and warm.  Available in white.  

Prepackaged Full Size Dream Poly Deluxe 96" x 93"

$24.00

For more information about batting, please visit:

www.dreampoly.com

Backings

Muslin Backing in Natural or Bleached in 90"  widths start at $8/yd. 

Printed backs in 108" widths $12-14/yd.   I have various backing prints in: greens, blues, pinks, red, black, tan, brown.  These backings allow you to not piece "regular" yardage for your backings and are an economical option, ie. a queen size quilt  98 x 98 that would need 8 +yards of "regular fabric" x $8.25/yard  is about $70, 3 yards 108" wide x $12/yard is about $36 - plus you don't need to piece it!

 

 Turn around time is  usually 7 - 10 days.

 

 PRICE QUOTES:

To call for a price quote, please have your tops measurements available in inches (width and height).  Example:  An average lap quilt with simple edge to edge quilting is around $60.00.  Custom work on the same quilt would add time and may run double. 

If you would like to calculate your own estimate:  Measure your quilt width and length.  With a calculator, multiply your width inches by your length inches; divide this by 144; multiply by 2.5,  the total shown is the estimated price for your quilt. 

example: 60" wide x 72" long = 4320 inches, divide by 144 =   30,  x 2.5 = $75.00

This price is usually a little higher but allows my customers to have a "ball park estimate" for their quilt.  This is for "simple" quilting: Jumbo meandering,  ribbon meandering,  or simple all over.  More detailed or complicated quilting will usually run higher.  

I do have an independent contractor that can provide binding for an additional fee.  Binding is very time consuming an though expensive is a wonderful option to having your quilt completely finished upon return.  You can ask for the binding to be made and sewn on the front for you to hand sew down later OR made, sewn on the front, and hand sewn down.  $15 per hour

 Don't forget to add in backing and or batting if needed.   I use this method as an approximate because factors such as backs or batting that are small, borders that have excess fabric sewn in, piecing that has started to fray or have holes, etc. all take much longer in the quilting process.  One of the most costly problem for a quilt is excess so always measure carefully, pin borders, and make sure your backing is large enough.

 

CUSTOM MACHINE QUILTING is a service designed to help the busy quilter but is not a substitute for wonderful hand quilting. Machine quilting will allow you to finish off tops into quilts in a timely fashion. Free motion quilting is HAND guided - not computerized - quilting usually done in a stippling or meandering style.    Long Arm Machine quilting is unlike "normal" sewing machine quilting because the fabric stays in place and the sewing machine head glides over the fabric and is hand guided by the quilter. Machine quilting  can allow your quilt to be a unique creation.

Machine quilting will not correct excess in borders or blocks.  

Under any circumstance, McManus Quilting will not be responsible for quilts that are left unclaimed after 10 days, damaged, or quilts that turn out differently than the customer's expectations.  Machine quilting does not "fix" poor piecing, stretched borders or other problems in the top.  Maximum liability for a lost or stolen quilt will be no more than $200, regardless of size or style.  Prompt payment is due upon pick up of the quilt - a returned check will be charged a $50 fee plus any charges needed to collect on the returned check.  Out of town quilt jobs will utilize UPS or first class US Mail unless other arrangements are made, the customer will pay the cost of shipping plus insurance for the quilt.  Out of town customers should pay the estimated quilting charge and any extra costs such as backings, battings and shipping estimates BEFORE quilting - I will return excess monies with the quilt when finished.  

I have heard it said that making no choice is your choice.  Leaving your quilt with "do whatever" is great for me - I love to use my own style and creativity -  but you have made a choice to accept whatever I quilt.  

 

Before Sending your Top:

 

1. Make sure all seams and stitches are secure.  Every time you show your top you may loosen seams or stretch borders without even knowing it.  

2. Trim all excess threads from back that may show through.  This is especially important on tops that use muslin or light tone on tones in the background - threads from your other fabrics may show through and once the top is pinned it is extremely difficult to catch these peak-a-boo threads until after I have quilted around them.

3. Do not pin, baste or tack top to backing.  (If you have pinned or basted your top, please double check - it not only costs you more for having me remove them but it can also damage your quilt or my machine should I run over a pin or get tangled in forgotten basting threads).

4. Quilt top should lie flat. Machine Quilting will not fix tops that ripple, nor will it correct uneven borders. Tucks may appear in tops that have uneven sides, problem borders, or misaligned patchwork.  This applies to your backing too - trim selvages and pin when piecing your backing so excess fabric does not cause problem backings.  Remember - machine quilters see your top once it is pinned - we do not see your backing.

5. The color thread used on the top is recommended in the bobbin. Using different colors may show through on the backing or show on the front.  

6. Have ironing/pressing completed prior to dropping your work off. Any ironing or pressing you request will be added into the time cost. Some fabrics with deep creases in them from the bolt should be ironed to avoid puckers and folds that would be quilted down and made permanent.  I do use Downey Fabric Wrinkle Releaser occasionally but it will not take out deep creases.

7. Batting and Backing must be 6" larger in width AND length than your top.  (If your top is 60 x 60, your backing and batting would need to be 66 x 66 etc.)  Seams on backings can create flares and may cause puckers. Keep in mind that with machine quilting, the quilter cannot see the backing. Backings that are pieced or backings where the straight of grain has been tweaked can result in occasional puckers on the back.  

8. Bed sheets are very dense and are not recommended. Stitches do not smoothly sink in and may sit on the fabric. I cannot use poly-cotton mixes for backings.  Poly cotton mixes do not wear well in your quilt, stitches "look irregular" and can throw the timing off on my Gammill.  

9. Include your signed customer acknowledgement sheet with your quilt order.  I keep the customer acknowledgement sheets at Central on the customer shelf for your convenience. 

I have been asked how I check for poly mixes.  I check fabric by taking a small snip of it and burning the edge of it.  If the burnt edge feels stiff or smells bad, it has poly in it.  Burnt cotton should be like burnt paper, soft, instantly ash, and have no strange smell.  If you choose to do this - use caution!

MY THOUGHTS ON QUILT CARE:

I am often asked about quilt care and recommend you talk to experienced quilters regarding quilt care. Your local specialty quilt stores and your local guilds are a wonderful sources for information, (not to mention what a great way to get to know other quilters!) Please discuss washing and care options AHEAD of time with those lucky people that receive your treasured quilts.  You may even want to include a bottle of quilt soap and a note with directions with your quilt.  There are many great brands out there specifically for quilts.  I DO NOT recommend dry cleaning - this has ruined quilts.  Dry cleaning puts chemicals on your quilt that could damage the fabric and put stress on seams and quilting.

 

Thank you for considering McManus Quilting for your machine quilting needs!

Lori McManus

Phone (619) 303-6653

 

Please print out Customer Agreement Document below, sign  and include it with your quilt.  I will keep your signed copy on file to acknowledge your understanding of McManus Quilting policies.  If it does not print, there are copies available at Central Sewing on the McManus Quilting Shelf.

Customer Agreement Document

If you would like to donate leftover backing or battings that are smaller than 1 yard, please initial here.  Your leftovers will be used to make quilts for charities.