1. After finishing the piecing of your quilt top, trim all dangling threads away from front and back. If the loose threads are on back, they could show through once the quilt has been quilted.

2. Press seams flat. You probably have pressed seams already as you are making blocks, but giving the quilt top a final pressing will ensure that all the seams lie flat when quilting begins.

3. Provide a backing that is 8 inches larger than the quilt top in both width and length. Example: if your quilt top is 60" by 80", then your back should be 68" by 88". (60+8=68 and 80+8=88).

4. When backing is pieced, make backing so that selvedge edges run along the top and bottom horizontally and seams run horizontally across the quilt. This really helps to avoid the bulk of a seam rolled in one spot when the back is mounted on the frame.

5. If you are providing batting, make sure it is the same size as the quilt back. Example: If the quilt top is 60" by 80" and the backing is 68" by 88", the batting would be 68" by 88".

6. Square your quilt. It should measure the same width at any point from left to right. It should measure the same length at any point from top to bottom. Edges should be straight (unless intentionally not straight).

7. Embellishments should be added after quilting is complete.

8. Pin a note on the quilt to indicate which edge is the top of the quilt. This will help keep directional quilting right side up.

9. Make sure your seams are secure.

10. Deliver your quilt top, backing and batting (if you are providing) together.