About Us

Stellar Stitches is a longarm machine quilting business, owned and operated by me, Linda Steller. I use an American Professional Quilting Systems (APQS) Liberty. This is a stitch-regulated machine, ensuring beautiful and even stitching on your quilt tops. I have been sewing for about 35 years, quilting for approximately ten, and began longarm machine quilting in June 2004.

Instructions for preparing your quilts for machine quilting, to ensure a quality finished quilt, are as follows

Make sure your borders lie flat. Trim all stray threads. Press the top to ensure that the seams all lie flat (either open or pressed to one side). Repair any seams that are separating. Sew a line of stay-stitching 1/4 inch from the outside edge of the top.

A Square Quilt is a Beautiful Quilt. Measure the center of the quilt top lengthwise, then measure the outside edges lengthwise. Do the same widthwise. If there is more than one inch difference, it is possible that your quilt will have tucks when quilted. The most common reason for measurement differences is improperly applied borders. Other causes are stretched bias edges or imperfect mitered corners. Be sure to let me know if there is a measurement difference. I can let you know if the problem can be 'quilted out' or if you will have to correct it before quilting.

Backing Fabrics. Provide the correct size backing fabric. An extra 3-4 inches on all sides is a minimum. Check with me if you cannot meet this minimum. Be sure the edges of the backing fabric are square to each other. Batik fabrics (and other high thread-count fabrics) are NOT recommended for backing fabrics. Remove all selvages when piecing backs.

Batting. Some quilters provide batting, some ask that you provide your own. Most types of batting can be used on the longarm, so long as it doesn't pull apart easily. Give a gentle tug on the batting -- if it separates at all, it isn't a good choice for use on the longarm. If you are unsure which type of batting is appropriate for your project, ask me.

Thread. I will supply the thread for your quilt unless you have something special you wish me to use. Some threads are not well suited to longarm quilting. Make sure to discuss your preferences with me. There are great choices available in cotton, poly, monofilament, rayon, and metallic; solid or variegated.

Quilting Designs. If you have an idea of what you want on your quilt, be sure and tell me. Even a vague idea can help me to see where you want to go. Also if the quilt is to be a gift to a particular person, let me know that too. It will help to make sure that the design is appropriate. And, it is perfectly okay if you just don't have any idea what to do with the quilting, to ask me to help you with some ideas.

Pricing. Quilting on a longarm is different from quilting on your home machine. Stitch-in-the-ditch (SID) is simple and easy at home, but is one of the most difficult (and, therefore, most expensive) things to do on a longarm. Each quilter has her own pricing structure, but generally pricing is based on the size of the quilt and the difficulty of the quilting design chosen.

Meeting with the Quilter. When we meet and examine your quilt, you should plan to discuss the thread, batting, quilting design, and any preferences you may have regarding marking pens or chalks. You should leave with an understanding of what is going to be done to your quilt, how much it will cost, and when you should expect it to be finished. Don't be afraid to call me later if you find that you have lingering questions (541-521-8187).

	Make sure your borders lie flat. Trim all stray threads. Press the top to ensure that the seams all lie flat (either open or pressed to one side). Repair any seams that are separating. Sew a line of stay-stitching 1/4 inch from the outside edge of the top.

	A Square Quilt is a Beautiful Quilt. Measure the center of the quilt top lengthwise, then measure the outside edges lengthwise. Do the same widthwise. If there is more than one inch difference, it is possible that your quilt will have tucks when quilted. The most common reason for measurement differences is improperly applied borders. Other causes are stretched bias edges or imperfect mitered corners. Be sure to let me know if there is a measurement difference. I can let you know if the problem can be 'quilted out' or if you will have to correct it before quilting.

	Backing Fabrics. Provide the correct size backing fabric. An extra 3-4 inches on all sides is a minimum. Check with me if you cannot meet this minimum. Be sure the edges of the backing fabric are square to each other. Batik fabrics (and other high thread-count fabrics) are NOT recommended for backing fabrics. Remove all selvages when piecing backs.

	Batting. Some quilters provide batting, some ask that you provide your own. Most types of batting can be used on the longarm, so long as it doesn't pull apart easily. Give a gentle tug on the batting -- if it separates at all, it isn't a good choice for use on the longarm. If you are unsure which type of batting is appropriate for your project, ask me.

	Thread. I will supply the thread for your quilt unless you have something special you wish me to use. Some threads are not well suited to longarm quilting. Make sure to discuss your preferences with me. There are great choices available in cotton, poly, monofilament, rayon, and metallic; solid or variegated.

	Quilting Designs. If you have an idea of what you want on your quilt, be sure and tell me. Even a vague idea can help me to see where you want to go. Also if the quilt is to be a gift to a particular person, let me know that too. It will help to make sure that the design is appropriate. And, it is perfectly okay if you just don't have any idea what to do with the quilting, to ask me to help you with some ideas.

	Pricing. Quilting on a longarm is different from quilting on your home machine. Stitch-in-the-ditch (SID) is simple and easy at home, but is one of the most difficult (and, therefore, most expensive) things to do on a longarm. Each quilter has her own pricing structure, but generally pricing is based on the size of the quilt and the difficulty of the quilting design chosen.
	Meeting with the Quilter. When we meet and examine your quilt, you should plan to discuss the thread, batting, quilting design, and any preferences you may have regarding marking pens or chalks. You should leave with an understanding of what is going to be done to your quilt, how much it will cost, and when you should expect it to be finished. Don't be afraid to call me later if you find that you have lingering questions (541-521-8187).