New Pieces Long Arm Quilting Services
We've quilted over 5500 quilts for folks...that's a LOTTA QUILTS!
We have the experience, the joy, the love of quilting,
and we are committed to service to you...and your quilts.
Happy customers and their stories!
If you would like for us to make, finish, or quilt your quilt...
Read this page to get an overview of the options. Fill out the information sheet (below). Then mail (or deliver in person!):
- Your completed info sheet
- The quilt top and back
- Your deposit
Deposits are:
- $100 for quilting only service
- $150 for quilting and binding service
- $300 for finish piecing, quilting and binding service
- $500 for a commission quilt
Our address is: NEW PIECES QUILT SERVICE, 766 Gilman Street, Berkeley, CA 94710.
Long Arm Quilting Services
Our specialty is free-form machine quilting from our selection of patterns.
Information Sheet
We need this 1-page information sheet with your quilt. Please read the rest of the page and then download, print, complete, and mail in with your quilt and your deposit.
Quilting & Pattern Selection
What we do in one hour on our industrial quilting machine would take the average quilter 5+ hours on a home machine.
When we choose a quilting pattern, we evaluate:
- the complexity of piecing
- the overall feel of the quilt
- the quilt’s intended use
Some quilts scream for simplicity; others want the quilting to be part of the design of the quilt. It is helpful for us to get a sense of what you had in mind so that you are happy with the results.
Threads
Currently, we use cotton or polyester threads for quilting. We have lots available, from variegated threads to 50-weight cotton to 28-weight poly… to everything in between. We can put several different colors of thread on one quilt. We will choose thread color for you unless you have specific requirements.
Binding Services
There are 3 binding options. Choose the one you like, or if you're not sure, ask us questions!
- Machine front only (sew binding onto front of quilt)
- Machine front and back (sew binding by machine to front AND back of your quilt)
- Machine front + hand-stitch back (sew binding by machine to front AND hand stitch binding to back of your quilt)
You supply needed fabric for this service, or we can choose a fabric for you and add the charges to your bill. Please let us know your wishes.
Custom Services
Piecing Service
We will make or finish a quilt top of your choosing from materials supplied by you, or we can choose fabrics and a design based on your preferences. If you send fabric, for best results, we suggest you purchase 100% cotton, though other materials may work. Talk to us if you have other fabrics. If it is necessary to add more fabric to your selection, you can purchase the material from our store. We can help choose fabrics that will work well with yours. Allow two to six months to piece a top.
We are very experienced in this area. We've made dozens of quilts for folks, using everything from their loved ones T-shirts to a yard of Minkee fabric made as a cuddle blanket, to art quilts, to gorgeous custom-designed king-sized treasures.
Back Service
We can cut, sew, and iron your quilt's back. You supply the material from your stash or you can purchase the material from New Pieces. We can help you pick it out the fabric.
Sleeve Service
We can cut, iron, and machine-sew the top edge and whipstitch the bottom edge of a sleeve on the back of your quilt. You can supply the material or you can purchase the material from New Pieces.
A Few Words About Photos on Fabric
If you would like to include pictures or photos or fronts of greeting cards or a special drawing, it is possible to have these items transferred to fabric. If you want to do this on your own, there are two great books out by Jean Ray Laury: Photo Transfer and Imagery on Fabric.
Charges for Service
- $30/hour Straight-line machine sewing, binding, making sleeves and backs, ironing, and preparing top and back.
- $40/hour Hand-quilting and our free-form machine quilting service, based on design intensity and number of thread colors used and size of quilt.
Design Categories
- Our A designs are the simplest designs. They are up to 4 inches apart and do not require a lot of stopping on the machine.
- Our B designs are up to 2 inches apart, graded as “moderate” in difficulty and time.
- Our C designs are 1-2 inches apart and ar the most intensive.
- We also have a D class of designs, which are custom designs of intensive heirloom-intensity quilting and several thread colors. These designs are quoted on an individual basis.
To give you an idea of what our charges might look like, depending on size and design category:
- 45 inches x 60 inches - mini to baby quilt - $40 to $110
- 70 inches x 85 inches - baby to twin bed - $80 to $160
- 80 inches x 95inches - twin to double bed - $160 to $220
- 95 inches x 100 inches - double+ to queen - $190 to $250
- 100 inches x 110 inches - queen+ to king - $250 to $310
NOTE: The largest quilt we can quilt on our long-arm machine is 140 inches on one side. The other side can be longer, but at least one side must be 140 inches or less.
Costs for Making a Quilt
Here are some price ranges to make a quilt for you. The price is determined by the amount of time to produce the quilt. The more involved the design, the longer it takes. We will work with you and give you options so you can choose if you prefer to keep your costs low or to create a more elaborate quilt.
These prices include fabric, batting and thread.
- Up to 45 inches x 60 inches - $500 to $1500
- to 70 inches x 85 inches - $1000 to $1900
- to 80 inches x 95 inches - $1500 to $2400
- to 95 inches x110 inches - $1500 to $2500
- to 100 inches x 110inches - $1800 to $2800
However, pricing is an ART form, not a science. Bear in mind… it is next to impossible to give a price for finishing quilts until we see the quilt. While the amounts listed here provide general guidelines, we can’t finalize a price until we’re sure we’re providing the service you’re envisioning.
For instance… imagine you ask us to create a king-size quilt from one fabric that you provide. A project like that would be likely be the $600 range, start-to-finish. Then imagine you ask us to make a baby quilt that is pieced from 35 different baby garments. THAT would take much longer to make, even though the quilt is small.
See how different every quilt can be?? That’s why we love quilts – every one is unique!
The best way to work together is to balance the degree of complication in the design with your budget you’ve set aside for this keepsake. We’re happy to work with you to find the way to get the most out of your quilting experience with us!
Technical Stuff: Preparing Your Quilt’s Back and Top for Best Results
Preparing the Quilt for Finishing
- If you have bias edges in your border, we recommend you machine baste 1/8 inch from the edge of your quilt to help stop stretch while quilting.
- Do not attach any buttons, beads, plastic or metal pieces.
- Do not leave any pins in your top or bottom.
- Iron your top and back and make sure seams are pressed open or to one side. This is an important step in the process of turning out a flat quilt, so take your time. It is really, really important to have your quilt top seams ironed flat. We can show you an example if you want or need.
The Back
- All sides of top and back must have a straight edge and be as near square as possible.
- For free-form machine quilting, the back must be 8" longer and 4" wider than the top.
- This is added insurance for stretchy fabrics or those that aren’t quite square, as well as for fitting the quilt into the machine rollers. Do not count this material as part of your finished quilt.
- We center your top to the back width-wise and pin the top edge of your top 1 to 2 inches from the top of your back.
- If you put a border on the back it will not be centered in one direction.
- Do not baste layers; send two separate pieces.
The Batting
Your batt must be 4 inches wider and 8 inches longer than the back. You do not need to send batt for any of the services. We carry:
- Hobbs poly, Hobbs wool and cotton
- Quilter's Dream cotton
- Quilter's Dream poly
- Silk blends (cotton and wool)
- Bamboo Batting
We can pick the most appropriate batt, based on your questionnaire responses, quilting design and material used on top. We will add the batting to your bill.
Ways We Look Out for You
If your top and back are not prepared properly, we will do this for you and charge for the preparation. If your borders are flared, we will endeavor to flatten them through heavy quilting. It may be necessary to seam some borders. If your back or binding is missing, we will make one for you and add the charges to your bill.
Note
Normal turn around time for this service is one month
We do not quilt over photos-on-fabric, heavily hand-painted fabric, plastic or leather
Final Words
After all the detailed instructions above, the bottom line is, WE LOVE TO QUILT YOUR QUILTS!
We take pride and joy in each and every quilt we work on. We love being part of your quilting life, from helping you select the fabric to helping you finish your projects. Thank you for trusting us!
And definitely call us if you have questions! 510-527-6779