New Here? Start Here. ✨
If you've never sent a quilt to a longarm quilter before, you're in exactly the right place. This page walks you through every step — in plain language, with no assumptions about what you already know. By the time you reach the bottom, you'll know exactly what to do and feel ready to take the next step with confidence. And if there are questions you have that aren't answered here, just visit the "Contact" page and let us know. "
1
A longarm quilting machine holds all three layers of your quilt — the top you've pieced, a layer of batting, and your backing fabric — on a large frame while the machine moves across the surface of your quilt stitching a design. This allows even very large quilts to be quilted with smooth, consistent stitching and careful attention to detail.
At Starshine, we specialize in edge-to-edge (E2E) quilting — a single design stitched from edge to edge across your entire quilt. We use a digital design called a pantograph that is carefully selected and sized to complement your quilt top.
2
Before you drop-off or mail anything, take some time to browse our pantograph library and find a quilting design you love. We have many different pantograph options ranging from soft and flowing to bold and geometric, traditional to modern.
A few things to think about when choosing:
- Does the design feel like it belongs with your quilt? A soft feather design can be stunning on a romantic floral; a graphic geometric can make a modern quilt sing.
- Do you want the quilting to blend in or stand out? Simpler designs recede and let the piecing shine; more detailed designs make a statement of their own.
3
Batting is the middle layer — the cozy, warm, fluffy stuff that lives between your quilt top and your backing. You have a few options:
Option A — Use Starshine Batting ⭐
The easiest path! We have 3 options in stock:
☞ Natural 80/20 Select,
☞ Dream Poly Select, and
☞ 100% Cotton Natural Select.
We can also special-order from the full line of Quilters Dream packaged batts.
About 90% of our customers choose one of our Quilters Dream batting options.
Option B — Bring Your Own
Have a batting you love? Bring it along!
Just make sure it's at least 2 inches larger than your quilt top on all four sides (add 4 inches to both dimensions).
Option C — Skip It
Sometimes you don't need batting — for table runners, wall hangings, or very warm backed quilts.
Not sure? Just ask before you decide.
4
Your backing is the fabric on the back of the finished quilt. Getting it right is one of the most important prep steps — here's what you need to know.
Size matters — and bigger is better
Your backing needs to be at least 4 inches larger than your quilt top on every side — so add 8 inches to both the width and the length. For a 60" × 80" quilt top, your backing needs to be at least 68" × 88". When in doubt, cut it bigger.
Square it up
Check that all four edges are straight and the corners are right angles. The most common problem is when one piece of a pieced backing ends up slightly wider than the other, creating a wavy edge. A quick trim fixes that right up. Our squaring guide in Learn & Prep makes this easy to visualize.
Mark it if it's directional
If your backing fabric has a clear top and bottom — even subtly — please mark it with a pinned note or a bit of painter's tape. We'd rather ask too many questions than orient your backing upside down!
Trim selvage edges
Remove the tightly finished selvage edges from the "body" of your backing. It's fine to leave on the TOP or BOTTOM edge of the quilt backing. These edges behave differently from the rest of the fabric and can cause problems if in the "body" of the backing.
5
Three quick steps before your quilt top is ready to go:
1. Press it
A well-pressed quilt top leads to a beautiful finished quilt. Press seams flat, smooth out any spots where fabric is folding over itself, and get corners and points as flat as you can. See our pressing guide for a full walk-through.
2. Trim your threads
This matters if you have dark threads that might shadow through light fabric. A quick pass with scissors or a thread snip can make all the difference on a light-colored quilt.
3. Trim selvage edges
Remove the tightly finished selvage edges from your fabric pieces before they become part of your quilt. These behave differently from the rest of the fabric and can cause problems.
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Ready to go? Here's how to get your quilt to us:
📍 Studio Drop-Off
Pack your quilt up following guidance in our FAQs - Drop-off section
We'll schedule an appointment once your quilt request is confirmed.
☕ Meet-Up Locations
We meet at three convenient South Hills locations — Bartram House McMurray; Barnes & Noble South Hills Village; and Starbucks Bridgeville.
Check here for specific address info →
📦 Mail It In
Find shipping information in our FAQs - Drop-off section. It explains how to pack your items to be shipped to our studio.
What to bring or include:
- Your quilt top — pressed and ready
- Your backing fabric (marked if it has a direction)
- Your batting, if supplying your own
- Any notes, questions, or special requests
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Your intake form is how we get to know your quilt before it arrives. You'll share your quilt dimensions and if known, your selections for batting, quilting design, any special requests, and your contact information. This is also where you can:
- Request a Pantograph Preview
- Note any deadlines or rush needs
- Select your delivery method
- Ask any lingering questions in the Special Instructions field
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Once your quilt is with us, here's what happens:
- We finalize the details if we haven't already, and answer any questions. Once we have, we'll send the quote documenting your request to make sure we have things just right before we begin.
- If mailing, we'll reach out to confirm we have it.
- Your quilt goes into the queue — standard turnaround is approximately two weeks
- When your quilt is finished, we'll be in touch with pickup or return details and your invoice
- You provide payment. We accept cash, check, as well as online and in-person digital payments.
- You pick up or we mail your finished, beautiful quilt — and we both get a little emotional about it. (Just us? Probably just us. 😊)