Thanks everyone! I didn't think of stay stitching the edge of the top, or including a card with the measurements. (The correction of the off points is something that I want to do. It's certainly not required by the LAQ.) The threads keep multiplying! There's some slight unraveling going on. I've been taking a big piece of packing tape wrapped around my hand and brushing the back. Some are just going to have to stay.

~ Cindy

If you are piecing the back, use half inch seams (without any selvedges) and press them open. Make sure any thick seamed intersections on the quilt top (like where 6 or 8 fabrics come together) are well pressed to minimize thickness, as the hopping foot may not be able to clear them. (Some quilters take a hammer to them, lol.) If they are too thick they stop the machine COLD.

I am so glad you asked this question. I send lots of quilts to the LAQ; but I take them to the LQS so I never see the LAQ. I was not sure if I was doing things right. I cut away the selvage and use 1/2" seams on the backing, make it at least 4" larger on all sides, starch and neatly press it. I cut away as many threads as possible on the back of the top. That usually takes hours and I detest that task. Then I starch and press it on both sides. The one thing I do not do is to stay stitch around the quilt. I will do that from now on. Thanks so very much for that information.

When I have stay stitched around the outer edge of my quilt, it has stretched the fabric a bit. Is there something I should be doing differently?

Usually the edges will stretch a bit, even with just regular handling...especially if there are edges that were cut on the bias. I like to staystitch with a large stitch, so that I can slightly gather that edge to help ease any fullness, if necessary and then press with steam. It's a good idea to measure the sides and compare them to what they are supposed to be in a pattern description, (or hypothetically if you're not using a pattern.) It also helps to do this before you attach a border too.

~ Cindy