Your Complete Guide to Longarm Machine Quilting Services at Missouri Star
⚡ Quick Answer
- Missouri Star quilts mailed-in quilt tops edge to edge on computerized longarms in Hamilton, Missouri.
- Standard quilting is 3¢ per square inch with batting and standard thread included, about 4 weeks after your quilt arrives.
- Priority is 5¢ per square inch and is quilted within 7 business days of arrival.
- Add-ons: deluxe patterns, $10 trimming, machine binding (25¢ per linear inch) or hand binding (60¢ per linear inch).
- Send backing at least 4" larger than your top on every side, or add backing to your order.
Our Machine Quilting Heroes finish quilts for makers all over the country, plus every quilt you see in our free tutorials. If the quilting step is the one standing between you and a finished quilt, here's everything you need to know about sending yours to Hamilton, from pricing and patterns to packing the box.
Key Takeaways
- ➤Priced by the square inch: multiply width × height, then × 3¢ for standard or 5¢ for priority. A 50" × 65" throw is $97.50 standard.
- ➤Turnaround starts at arrival: the clock starts when your quilt is checked in at Hamilton, not when you order or ship.
- ➤Edge to edge only: one pattern runs across the whole quilt, so blocks and borders can't be quilted differently.
- ➤100+ thread colors: pick one or let the team match it to your quilt.
- ➤Finishing is optional: get it back untrimmed, trimmed for $10, or fully bound.
How Mail-In Longarm Quilting Works
- Measure your quilt top. Enter the width and height on the machine quilting order form and the price updates automatically.
- Choose your details. Pick standard or priority, then your thread, quilting pattern, backing, trimming, and binding.
- Check out and watch for your confirmation email.
- Mail your quilt top and backing to Hamilton with your order paperwork in the box.
- Follow along. You'll get an email when your quilt is checked in, and you can track your quilt from your Missouri Star account.
- Get it back finished. The team quilts it, handles any add-ons, and ships it home with tracking.
Mail your quilt to:
Missouri Star Quilt Co.
c/o Machine Quilting
1005 South Hughes Street
Hamilton, MO 64644
How Much Does Longarm Quilting Cost at Missouri Star?
Pricing is by the square inch, and standard batting and thread are included. Here are the current rates:
| Service | Price | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Standard quilting | 3¢ per square inch | Edge-to-edge quilting with batting and standard thread included. About 4 weeks from the day your quilt arrives. |
| Priority upgrade | 5¢ per square inch | Quilted within 7 business days of arrival. Binding and return shipping add time. |
| Deluxe pattern | +¼¢ per square inch | More detailed designs that take more time and thread. |
| Trimming | $10 | We trim the edges and send the extra fabric back so you can bind at home. |
| Machine binding | 25¢ per linear inch | Straight-stitched by machine, after quilting. |
| Hand binding | 60¢ per linear inch | Hand-stitched, after quilting. |
And here's what quilting alone costs on standard quilt sizes (sizes from our quilt sizes chart):
| Quilt size | Square inches | Standard (3¢) | Priority (5¢) | Machine binding (25¢/in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby / crib (36" × 52") | 1,872 | $56.16 | $93.60 | $44.00 |
| Throw (50" × 65") | 3,250 | $97.50 | $162.50 | $57.50 |
| Twin (68" × 86") | 5,848 | $175.44 | $292.40 | $77.00 |
| Full (84" × 90") | 7,560 | $226.80 | $378.00 | $87.00 |
| Queen (90" × 95") | 8,550 | $256.50 | $427.50 | $92.50 |
| King (108" × 95") | 10,260 | $307.80 | $513.00 | $101.50 |
These are estimates for quilting and binding only. Backing, back piecing, and any extras show up in your total on the order form.
💡 Pro Tip: Small projects like table runners and wall hangings can qualify for flat-rate pricing. Enter your measurements on the order form and it will tell you if your project qualifies.
Choosing a Quilting Pattern and Thread
Every quilt is quilted edge to edge with a pantograph, or "panto," stitched by our Innova longarms. There are more than 100 designs to choose from: simple meanders, loops, pebbles, florals, feathers, animals, sports, and seasonal designs for every holiday on the calendar. Some of the most popular picks:
Meander
Loops and Swirls
Champagne Bubbles
Square Meander
Paisley Feathers
Meandering Leaves
Some patterns are more complex and take more time and thread, so they're priced as deluxe (+¼¢ per square inch). Can't decide? Choose Quilter's Choice and our team will pick a pattern from our standard designs for you.
For thread, choose from more than 100 colors, or let the experts pick one that matches your quilt's background. Unless you ask for the thread to stand out, the team blends it to keep it as unobtrusive as possible. If you have a specific request, put it in the comments on your order.
Preparing Your Quilt to Mail
- Press the quilt top and backing so both lie smoothly.
- Make the backing at least 4" larger than the top on every side (a 50" × 50" top needs a 58" × 58" backing). 108" wide backing skips the seams, or you can add backing to your order.
- Trim loose threads that could show through lighter fabrics.
- Square up the top as much as you can.
- Put your order paperwork in the box with the quilt, and add your phone number.
Shipping more than one quilt? Pin a note to each top with its quilting pattern and size, and bag or tie each top with its own backing so nothing gets mixed up.
Download the free Machine Quilting Order Checklist and tuck it next to your sewing machine.
Machine Quilting FAQ
How long does machine quilting take?
Standard service takes about 4 weeks from the day your quilt arrives in Hamilton. Priority is quilted within 7 business days of arrival. Binding adds time, and so does return shipping. If you're quilting a Christmas gift, check our holiday machine quilting deadlines too.
How much extra backing do I need?
At least 4" on every side, so the layers can be clamped onto the longarm. A 50" × 50" quilt needs a 58" × 58" backing. If you're using standard 42" fabric, sew the backing together first or add back piecing to your order. Need the math? Here's how to figure yardage for quilt backing.
Can I send my own batting?
Yes. Standard batting is included in the price, and the order form also lists batting options. If you'd rather use your own, send it with your top.
Can I choose two different thread colors?
The same color is used on the top and in the bobbin. Two colors can cause tension issues, and there's no way to guarantee only one color shows on each side.
Do you offer invisible thread?
No, but if you don't want to see the thread, say so in the comments and the team will blend the color as closely as possible.
Can you skip a block or border, or quilt it differently?
No. Missouri Star offers edge-to-edge quilting only, so the same pattern runs top to bottom and side to side. Custom quilting isn't available.
Can I add prairie points or other dimensional details before quilting?
Anything that isn't fully attached to the top, like prairie points, open flying geese, flanged borders, or ricrac, will be stitched down by the edge-to-edge quilting. The longarm can't quilt around them.
Will you attach my quilt label?
Labels aren't attached as part of the service, so sew yours on before you send your quilt.
If I add binding, do I need to send it pieced?
It's up to you. The team uses 2½" binding, so if you piece and press it at home, cut 2½" strips. Otherwise, send enough fabric for them to cut 2½" strips. If no binding fabric is included, leftover backing is used when there's enough. Minky, cuddle, and fleece can't be used for binding.
What should I put in the order comments?
Your phone number, any deadline you're working toward, and anything that would help the team understand your quilt. Deadlines can't always be guaranteed, but you'll be contacted if one can't be met.
What's the largest quilt you can quilt?
The frame can't take a quilt that's over 118" on both sides.
Thousands of quilts come through the Missouri Star machine quilting studio every month, and every one is handled with care from the moment it arrives to the final stitch. When you're ready, start your order. Then share your finish with #MSQCShowAndTell.