Longarm Quilting Frequently Asked Questions: Every Question You've Ever Had, Answered
If you've ever typed "what is longarm quilting" into Google at 11pm after a marathon piecing session, this post is for you. As someone who offers longarm quilting services for hire here at Modern Textiles, I get asked some version of these questions almost every single week, whether it's from a customer sending their first quilt my way or a fellow quilter who's curious about the whole process. So I figured it was time to put together a real, honest set of longarm quilting frequently asked questions in one place.
Whether you're piecing one of my modern quilt patterns and trying to decide how to get it quilted, or you found your way here searching for longarm quilting services and want to know what to expect, I hope this answers whatever question brought you here. Let's get into it.
What's the Difference Between Longarm and Domestic Machine Quilting?
The distinct difference between longarm quilting and domestic quilting is the machine you're quilting on. A longarm quilting machine has a quite large quilting area and throat space, and it sits on a quilting frame with a chassis that allows the machine to freely move from left to right and front to back to quilt the entire quiltable area. Typically, any quilting machine over 18 inches is considered a longarm, anything between 12 and 18 inches is considered a mid arm, and anything under 12 inches is considered a domestic machine, meaning a machine you'd have for sewing and quilting at home. Generally, the larger the machine, the more expensive it is.
That's not even taking into account the robotics you can elect to have installed on your longarm machine, which allow you to set up the quilting pattern (known as a pantograph) and have your machine run automated until the quiltable area is fully quilted.
Your domestic machine quilting will typically be done on the same machine you piece your quilt tops on, and it will be limited to straight-line or simplistic quilting. You may be able to do free-motion quilting on it, but that's a skill that takes time and practice to develop, and it can get cumbersome when working on larger quilts.
How Do I Prepare My Quilt Top Before Sending It to a Longarm Quilter?
I have a checklist prepared, along with a video, on how to prepare quilts when you're sending them to me specifically. Always check in with your longarm quilter for their specifics, since prep requirements can vary from quilter to quilter. Here are the main things you'll want to do:
- Press your seams on your quilt.
- Trim any dark threads from fabric that may show through the quilt top.
- Trim any stray threads on your quilt top and double check that all of your seams are intact. Sometimes we don't realize we lost bobbin chicken until the quilt top is fully assembled!
- Seam your backing fabric and make sure it's 8 inches longer and wider than your quilt top. Longarm quilters need that extra space to attach your quilt back to the frame and avoid any quilting mishaps.
- Pack up your quilt in a waterproof bag so it makes the trip to your quilter safely.
Do I Need to Piece My Own Backing, or Does the Quilter Do That?
To avoid any unwanted extra charges, you'll want to piece your own quilt back. If you're a little nervous about this part, ask your longarmer if they'll piece it for you. This is a service I provide for a fee, depending on whether the fabric is quilting cotton or minky.
Can a Longarm Quilter Fix a Wonky or Puckered Quilt Top?
I'd say that longarm quilters can ease in some of the fullness or waviness of a wonky or puckered quilt top to make it less noticeable. But truly fixing a wonky or puckered top is a different thing entirely, and it's not something you should expect as part of a quilter's standard service. If you're hoping for a perfectly flat quilt back from your quilter, I'd recommend correcting any wonkiness or puckering in your quilt top before you send it in. If you're just done with the project and don't want to deal with it yourself, you can ask your quilter if they'd be willing to fix problem areas for you in exchange for an hourly rate. That way, you can have an honest conversation about expectations and they can tell you what's realistic for the outcome.
What's the Difference Between Edge to Edge (Pantograph), Custom, and Semi-Custom Quilting?
Edge to edge quilting is what I offer here at Modern Textiles as part of my quilting services. That means you'll select a quilting pattern, or pantograph, and that pattern will be repeated over the entirety of the quilt top. The fun thing about working with a computerized machine is that I can scale any design larger or smaller, so you have more control over how densely your quilt is quilted.
Custom quilting means your quilt top will be one of a kind. You'll work closely with your quilter to decide exactly how each block, border, and cornerstone will be quilted, and your quilter will be fully hand-guiding their longarm machine across your entire quilt top.
Semi-custom quilting is a blend of the two worlds. Typically, your quilter will make a plan with you for the quilting. They'll set up the quilting motifs within blocks, borders, and other sections of your quilt, but instead of hand-guiding the machine, the robotics will run the different quilting designs in the decided areas of your quilt.
All of these types of quilting take time, skill, and knowledge to provide a quality service to you, and that shouldn't be underappreciated.
How Do I Choose a Quilting Design for My Quilt?
I have a great video on how I approach selecting quilting designs depending on a variety of aspects within your quilt. I take into account the quilt pattern design and the fabrics you used. For me personally, a lot of it comes down to a gut feeling when I see your quilt in person, but the video linked below will give you the best insight into my thought process.
Can I Mail My Quilt to a Longarm Quilter?
Absolutely! I'd say a majority of my clients are mail-in clients. I'd always recommend checking with a quilter first to make sure they're accepting new clients and want mail-in clientele, since it does take a little extra care and communication when working with mail-in longarm quilting services compared to local drop-off. I've always prided myself on the amount of communication I provide to clients. You're never left guessing when you'll be getting your quilt back.
How Long Does Longarm Quilting Take, Start to Finish?
Typically, a throw-size quilt (60 inches by 70 inches) can take 3 to 4 hours if you're going with a simple design at medium to loose density. If I'm stitching out a highly intricate design at high density, it could take all day for the machine to work its magic.
How Much Does Longarm Quilting Cost?
As of 2026, my pricing is 3 cents per square inch. So a 60 inch by 70 inch quilt (4,200 square inches) comes out to $126 just for the quilting services. You'll need to factor in batting, backing, and shipping on top of that if you're a mail-in client.
Do You Offer Binding Services Too, or Just Quilting?
Yep! I'm a full-service quilter, which means I longarm quilt, offer backing fabric and batting options for purchase, and will complete your binding if you'd like that included as part of your quilting experience. I have plenty of clients who love receiving their quilts completely finished when they're shipped back to them.
Binding and Longarm Quilting Services Information Page
Final Thoughts
Longarm quilting can feel like a mysterious process from the outside, but at its heart, it's just the last, transformative step in turning your pieced top into a finished quilt. Whether you're brand new to quilting and just now learning what longarm quilting even is, or you're a seasoned piecer trying to decide between edge to edge, semi-custom, and custom quilting for your next project, I hope this rounded out everything you've ever wondered about longarm quilting services.
If you want to dig deeper into pricing, turnaround times, or exactly what's included, head over to my quilting and binding services info page for all the details in one spot. And if you'd rather have this kind of thing land in your inbox instead of hunting it down, from new pantograph releases to modern quilt patterns as they launch, you can sign up for my email list here.
Ready to send a quilt my way? Whether it's your first time working with a mail-in longarm quilter or your fifteenth, I'd love to help bring your top to life. Sign up for longarm quilting and binding services here.