How to Quilt an EPP Project

We often hear the question, "I've finished my EPP project, now what?" It's a big exercise in trust to send your EPP project off to a longarmer. Today I'm talking to Kali, our customer service guru and part time longarmer, about how to finish out your EPP project!

1. How can we ensure our EPP project longarms nicely as we are sewing?

Keep in mind that longarming an EPP quilt is really no different than a traditionally pieced quilt. It may be a little better, in fact, as your seams are by nature already pressed nice and flat.

Feathered Star: pieced + quilted by Kali!

Just like with other quilts being sent to your longarmer, you want to make sure that wherever your seams join are as minimal on the bulk as possible. The more bulk the more chance there is of the needle getting stuck and jumping stitches.

2. Talk about your process to quilt an EPP project. Is it exactly like quilting a machine project?

There are a few more preparation steps at the beginning of longarming an EPP quilt that I personally take, but otherwise it is the same, yes!

A few beginning steps are done before loading on the quilt. The two most important ones: checking to make sure that ALL papers are removed from the underside of the top, as well as fanning and ironing out the whole outside seam allowance. I'll also take a quick once-over for any bulky seams and give them a little pressing or manipulation to see if there's a better configuration of the ears to slim the seam down at all.

3. What are some options to finish a quilt ourselves without sending it out to a long armer? Which options are your favorite?

If the project is a smaller one, I like quilting it on my domestic machine by outlining all of the pieces (heavily dependent on the project itself), or doing simple cross-hatching or--as my friend Laurel has said-- "Organic Straight Line Stitching". If it's a bit of a larger quilt, I do still enjoy the modest straight line stitching. It's a classic for a reason! I, personally, do not recommend the tying of a an EPP quilt. It's not going to help keep your seams from straining, it doesn't help keep your layers from shifting and creating wear from the inside of your quilt, and won't stand up to the love that we all hope that our quilts will receive.

4. What kind of quilt labels do you like to use?

I generally make my own from some fabric from the project, or a scrap of muslin. I've used labels from Jammin' Threads and they are lovely for smaller projects, like table runners or wall hangings. I find that the throw size and larger quilts that I make I tend to try to put more information onto, so those receive a handmade label written with Micron Pens and a little embroidery (if I have the time... which, honestly, I usually don't since I'm also usually finishing the binding of the quilt-to-gift less than 5 minutes before it's supposed to be gifted. Yes. This happened more than once. Yes, I was binding a quilt in the parking lot when I was supposed to be sitting down to watch my older brother get married... and yes I finished it AND saw his bride walk down the aisle. Barely.)

5. What's your favorite method for hanging a quilt?

I like hanging my smaller quilts, minis, display pieces, with safety pins and small command hooks. Larger quilts I hang with something along the lines of Classy Clamps. No sleeve needed!

I have a number of quilt racks and wooden ladders that I hang my quilts on, though, rather than against the walls. Makes them usable as well as pretty when not in use by my 6-year old and our pug.

What did we miss? Ask Kali your questions in the comments and we'll make sure she sees them!