January 20, 2022

Have you ever tried Missouri Star’s Machine Quilting Services? Our staff of specially-trained Machine Quilting Heroes are ready to spring into action to give your quilt masterpiece the perfect finish.

For many quilters, this final step can be a little daunting, so we have simplified it into 10 easy steps:

Still got questions?

We’ve got answers to some of the most frequently asked questions here on today’s blog!  

How do I prepare my quilt for shipping? We recommend that you place your quilt top into a plastic bag before you ship it to us, so it is protected on the way. We also suggest that you insure the package when you ship it just to further protect your quilt. Also, do not forget to include your order number and phone number!

What do I need to enclose with my quilt? Please include your order number and phone number in case we need to contact you. If possible, you can just print out the confirmation email and include that with your shipment. As long as we have your order number and your phone number, that will work just fine!

To make things easier for you, we have a free printable checklist to make sure you don’t miss anything important when packing up your quilt top.

Download our FREE Machine Quilting Order Checklist ➤

How much extra backing do I need to send? We need 4 inches on each side to be able to sandwich the layers and secure them onto the longarm quilting machine. So, for example, if your quilt measures 50×50 inches, then your backing needs to be 58X58 inches.

If you haven’t yet purchased your backing, don’t worry - you now have the option to do so when placing your machine quilting order. As an added bonus, we’ll make sure that you have the correct amount of fabric for the job when you add backing fabric to your order - no need to worry!

Can I choose two different threads? For quality assurance, we always use the same color on the top of the quilt as we do in the bobbin. Using two different colors can sometimes cause tension issues and there is no way to guarantee that only one of the colors will show on each side of the quilt.

Do you have invisible thread? We do not offer invisible thread. We use high quality Glide thread.

TIP: If you don’t want to see the thread, we will try our best to blend the thread color as much as we can to make it appear invisible - just be sure to include this preference in the comments section when placing your order.

I have a block/border that I do not want to be quilted. Can you cut it out? Cutting out blocks and borders falls into the custom quilting category, which we are not able to offer at this time. We offer edge to edge quilting services only, so the same pattern will be used from top to bottom, left to right.

Can I send in my own batting? All of our pricing includes standard batting (Hobbs 80/20) in the cost; if you wish to have different batting used for your project, you may also send in your own batting instead.

Please note that the price to finish your quilt will be the same as if you were using our standard batting.

I have multiple quilts on my order. Do I need to do anything special when I ship them? It is perfectly fine to order more than one quilt at once, but we would love it if you would attach a piece of paper to each quilt top indicating the stitch pattern and size of each quilt top, so we can ensure we use the correct instructions for each quilt. Please also put the top and backing of each separate quilt in its own bag or tie them with a ribbon, so that we don’t accidentally mix up backings and tops.

Is the return shipping included in the price? Yes, the standard shipping rates apply. If your order is under $100, a return shipping cost of $5 will be included in your order. If your order is over $100, the return shipping is free. We always ensure the packages to their final destination and a signature will be required.

What is the turnaround time? For the most accurate estimations, please refer to our machine quilting order page or give a call/email to see what the current turnaround time is. Generally speaking, our turnaround time for Value service is approximately weeks, not including add-on services such as quilt binding. We also offer Priority Service (at an additional cost) to have your quilt finished in 7 business days* . With either service option, you will need to allow additional time for quilt binding services, if selected, as well as delivery time once your quilt is shipped back to you. There is also a special deadline for quilts that need to be delivered by Christmas, and we will update the machine quilting order page with that cut off date in early Fall each year.

How do I check the status of my quilt? You can check the status of your order at any time when you are logged into your Missouri Star Account. From the account menu (found next to the shopping cart icon on the top right navigation), click on “Your Orders.” Scroll down to find your Machine Quilting order(s) you’d like to track and click the orange link with your order number:

Click on “Track my Quilt” to view the status of your order!

I have a label. Will you attach it for me if I send it? We currently do not offer the service of attaching labels, but are considering it for the future. We recommend that you attach the label before sending it to us.

I want to add prairie points to my quilt. Do I need to do that before it is quilted? If prairie points are attached prior to quilting, they will be stitched down using our edge to edge quilting method. We cannot quilt around them. That also applies to open/pocketed flying geese, flanged borders, ricrac or anything else that is not completely attached to the quilt top.

I want a different thread color than the choices you have listed. Is that an option? Yes, we have a rainbow of thread choices available. So if you choose blue or green, we pull many colors, lay them out on the quilt tops, see what blends best and narrow the choice from there. Unless it is specified that you want your thread to stand out, we will generally try to blend the thread colors to make them the least noticeable as possible. If you have a more specific request, please include that in the comments section with your order.

I see there is a comment section when ordering my quilt. What type of comments should I include? Your phone number is always a great thing to include in the comment section. From time to time we may need to contact you with questions about your quilt and it is usually quicker and easier to do that by phone.

Also, please include anything you would like us to know about your quilt, such as deadlines you are trying to meet or any personal significance that might help our machine quilting heroes provide you with the best experience possible. We cannot promise that all deadlines will be met, but we do our best each time. If your deadline requests cannot be accomplished, we will contact you. There is no such thing as too much information!

If I add binding services to my order, do I need to send the fabric already pieced together in a long continuous strip? It is completely up to you! Our machine quilting heroes use 2.5-inch binding to finish your quilt, so if you choose to piece and iron your binding at home, please use 2.5-inch strips as well. If you want us to make your binding for you, that is totally fine - just make sure you include enough fabric for us to cut 2.5-inch strips.

With thousands of quilts finished every month and a five-star rating with our happy customers, your quilt is in good hands in the Missouri Star machine quilting studio.

Published by Danae M.