Zquiltz Custom Quilting
PO Box 1357, Portage La Prairie MB, R1N 3N9
zandrajohnston47@gmail.com
204-857-9343
Then
Women used to get together for days on end to hand sew the three layers of a quilt together. They would take weeks to finish a quilt. They passed the time by bickering and whining about their corsets or voting rights or Martha's new carriage.
Now
My long arm quilter and I replaced them all. I prefer to work alone.
History
I started quilting for myself and family in the late 90's when we lived in Victoria BC. Wait times for long arm quilting were excessive so in 2003 I bought my own longarm machine and started this business. When we moved back home to Portage in 2009 I continued the business with a newer model quilt machine.
My Quilting Machine
is not computer driven. It is hand guided by me.
I use pantographs (designs on paper strips) which I follow with the red laser light which is directly above my hand in this picture. I have about 160 pantos to choose from. You can view them here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/RRcSBncMjWKgE2xk7
Click on any panto and read name from info panel on right.
(Click the circle top right with a small i in it)
Prices and other Details
I charge 2.5 cents/sq inch for quilting. I don't charge extra for thread and I don't collect PST or GST.
My normal turn around times are one to two weeks.
Batting
I have Peler batting (80/20) @ $20/m but you are welcome to supply your own batting if you wish. Make sure it is at least 4 inches longer and wider than the top (2" each side)
Mailing Quilts
Do not ship by courier as they don't deliver to rural addresses or PO box numbers. Also, don't bother paying for Priority or Express Post as they seldom arrive sooner than regular post, which is surprisingly fast by the way.
If you are a mail in client, when your quilt is ready I will advise you of the cost including shipping and when you have arranged payment I will take it to the post office. Most clients use Interac (we have auto deposit) but a few still send cheques.
Your quilt is insured when it is in our house. If you want it insured while being shipped back please let us know before we ship it.
For the record, Canada Post has not lost a quilt since I started in 2003.
Note that our business insurance does not cover us for customers outside of Canada. Makes no sense.
Physical Location
We are 3.4 Km N of Portage La Prairie on Hwy 240 (a.k.a Tupper St, Delta Road, or Rd 36W)
Note: Our mailing address is at the top and bottom of this page.
My quilt studio is downstairs and the doorbell is upstairs. If I don't respond knock on the door or stick your head in and yell.
Maxx
MAXX is a golden doodle (golden retriever & poodle cross)
He is 85 lbs of WELCOME TO MY HOUSE so be aware.
Prepping your Top to be Quilted
These helpful hints will make Z's job easier so she will be happier and more fun to be around
Signed: her husband
If you have seams at the edge of your quilt, sew a line about 1/8" from the edge. This saves flipped edges and the seams coming apart.
Seams should be pressed as you are sewing plus a good final pressing. Seams not pressed flat can have folds when quilted.
If you seam your backing use a 1/2" seam and press open. This causes less bulk and a better looking finished product.
Backing should be at least 6" longer and wider than the top. Batting should be at least 4" wider and longer than the top.
Backing edges should be squared to allow easier and more accurate loading on the machine.
Trim threads on the top of the quilt so they don't catch on the hopping foot and cause damage to the quilt or the machine.
If you have a light background check for threads on the underside - they may show up once the top is quilted.
If you are using applique, trim your heat-and-bond or steam-a-seam as best you can to reduce the thickness of your finished design. Trim any stabilizer used on the back of your applique if possible. Thick appliques make it difficult to get a nice looking quilting stitch and occasionally my machine is unable to stitch through them. Some appliques can end up with 4-6 layers so please reduce bulk when possible.
Happy Quilting
