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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & POLICIES

Everything you need to know before sending or bringing in your quilt.

GENERAL QUESTIONS


How long does quilting take?

Birdsbill Mercantile is known for fast turnaround. Timing varies with seasonal demand, project requirements, and selected finishing services. We’ll provide a current estimate when your quilt is received. Priority Rush may be available for an additional 20%.


What’s included in the quilting price?

Every quilting option includes computerized edge-to-edge quilting, thread, and the batting specified for that pricing level. Complimentary trimming is available upon request.


Victory Stitch, machine binding, separate border quilting, backing preparation, Priority Rush, applicable sales tax, and return shipping are additional when selected or required.


Do I need to choose a pattern before submitting my quilt?

Pattern selections are recorded through the online intake form, a paper Shop Drop or quilt-show form, or during a scheduled appointment.

Available patterns depend on the quilting option selected. If you’re unsure, you may ask us for guidance or let Birdsbill choose an appropriate design for your quilt.


How can I get my quilt to Birdsbill Mercantile?

Choose from five convenient intake methods:

  • Mail-In 
  • Quick Drop 
  • Scheduled Appointment 
  • Shop Drop 
  • Quilt Show Drop-Off

Visit Pricing to compare the options and choose the one that works best for you.


MAIL-IN QUILTING

How do I mail my quilt?

Complete the online Mail-In intake form before shipping. Once submitted, securely package your quilt top, backing, and any batting or other materials you are providing.


Include your name and phone number inside the package so we can match it to your intake form. Ship using the carrier of your choice to:


Birdsbill Mercantile
8216 Hennings Drive
Stanwood, WA 98292


Which quilting options are available by mail?

Mail-In clients may choose Curated Stitches, Standard Edge-to-Edge, or Full-Access Edge-to-Edge.


When will my finished quilt be returned?

Your final invoice will be emailed after quilting and finishing services are complete. Your quilt will be shipped after payment is received.

Mail-In orders containing two or more quilts sent together qualify for complimentary return shipping.


Can I pick up a quilt that I mailed to you?

Yes. You may choose return shipping or studio pickup when completing your intake form. Studio pickup is by appointment.


Should I insure my quilt?

Insurance is optional but strongly recommended, especially for quilts with significant monetary or sentimental value. Birdsbill Mercantile is not responsible for loss or damage while a package is in the carrier’s possession.


SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS

Do I need an appointment?


Yes. An appointment is required when you want to meet with us to review your quilt, discuss selections, or complete a studio pickup.

If you have already completed the Quick Drop form and only need to leave your quilt, an appointment is not required.


How do I schedule an appointment?

Appointments may be scheduled directly through our website. Select an available date and time that works for you.


Which quilting options are available during an appointment?

Scheduled Appointment clients may choose Curated Stitches or Full-Access Edge-to-Edge.

Standard Edge-to-Edge is available through Mail-In and Quick Drop only.


Can my finished quilt be shipped instead of picked up?

Yes. Return shipping may be selected during your appointment. Shipping charges will be included on your final invoice unless a promotion applies.


QUICK DROP, SHOP DROP & QUILT SHOW DROP-OFF

What is Quick Drop?


Quick Drop is a no-contact studio drop-off option. Complete the online Quick Drop form first, place your quilt and materials together in a disposable bag labeled with your name and phone number, and follow the drop-off instructions provided.

No appointment is required.


Which quilting options are available through Quick Drop?

Quick Drop clients may choose Curated Stitches, Standard Edge-to-Edge, or Full-Access Edge-to-Edge.


How does Shop Drop work?

Bring your quilt to a participating partner shop during its listed drop-off period. Complete the paper intake form available at the shop and place your quilt and materials together in a disposable bag.

Shop Drop clients may choose Curated Stitches or Full-Access Edge-to-Edge.


How does Quilt Show Drop-Off work?

Bring your quilt to the Birdsbill Mercantile booth at a participating quilt show or fiber festival. We’ll help you complete the intake form and review your available selections. Please bring your quilt and materials together in a disposable bag.

Quilt Show Drop-Off clients may choose Curated Stitches or Full-Access Edge-to-Edge.


How will my finished quilt be returned?

Available return methods depend on the intake method and location. Options may include return shipping, studio pickup by appointment, or pickup from an eligible partner shop. Your return method will be recorded during intake.


PRICING & BILLING


How is the quilting price calculated?

Your quilting price is calculated using the final width and length of your quilt multiplied by the per-square-inch rate for your selected quilting option.

Online estimates use the measurements you provide. Final charges are based on the measurements taken after your quilt arrives.


When do I pay?

No deposit is required. Payment is due after quilting and selected finishing services are complete.

Payment must be received before your quilt is shipped or returned to a partner shop. Studio-pickup clients may pay before or at pickup.


How will I receive my invoice?

Your final invoice will be emailed to the email address provided during intake. It will include quilting, selected finishing services, applicable sales tax, and return shipping when needed.


Which payment methods do you accept?

Emailed invoices may be paid online with a credit or debit card. In-person payments may be made by card, contactless payment, or cash.


Is there a minimum charge?

Yes. A minimum quilting charge of $50 applies to each quilt.


PREPARING YOUR QUILT


What do I need to send or bring?

  • Finished quilt top 
  • Backing fabric (at least 4” larger on all sides) 

PREPARING YOUR QUILT


What do I need to provide?

Please provide:

  • A finished quilt top 
  • Backing fabric extending at least 4 inches beyond the quilt top on every side 
  • Batting, only if you choose to provide your own 
  • Raw binding fabric, if requesting machine binding 

Keep the quilt top, backing, batting, and other materials separate. Do not baste the layers together.


How should I prepare my quilt top?

For the best results:

  • Press the quilt top and seams 
  • Trim loose threads 
  • Check for loose, open, or damaged seams 
  • Remove pet hair and lint 
  • Avoid heavy fragrances 
  • Limit adhesives, as residue may affect the machine 
  • Identify any stains, fragile fabrics, embellishments, or areas of concern 

We’ll also inspect your quilt before loading and contact you if we have questions.


How large should the backing be?

Backing must extend at least 4 inches beyond the quilt top on all four sides. For example, a 60″ × 80″ quilt top requires backing measuring at least 68″ × 88″.


Can you piece my backing?

Yes. We can add a simple backing seam for $25 when suitable backing fabric is provided.


Can I provide my own batting?

Yes. You may provide your own batting with any quilting option. Keep it separate from the quilt top and backing and clearly identify it with your name.


Do I need to prepare binding fabric?

No. If you select machine binding, simply provide enough raw binding fabric. You do not need to cut strips, join, press, or otherwise prepare it—we’ll take care of that for you.


POLICIES

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS

All quilts are handled with care throughout the quilting process.

The final appearance of a quilt depends on fabric, piecing, and construction. Quilting may reveal characteristics inherent in the quilt top.


QUILT PREPARATION REQUIREMENTS

Quilts should be clean, pressed, and free of pet hair, lint, and strong odors.

Backing must be at least 4” larger on all sides and square.
Seams should be secure, and threads trimmed.

Any construction issues may affect the final result.


FABRIC & CONSTRUCTION

The quality and condition of your quilt top directly affect the outcome.

Quilting may stress seams or reveal variations in fabric and construction.

We are not responsible for issues related to fabric quality, construction, or prior handling.


FULLNESS, TUCKS & PLEATS

Some quilts may contain fullness, especially in borders.

Small tucks or pleats may occur and are not considered defects.


THREAD AND STITCH VISIBILITY

Thread is selected according to the choices recorded during intake. If you request Birdsbill’s Choice or ask for guidance, we’ll select a thread intended to complement the quilt.

Stitch and thread visibility may vary across different colors, prints, seams, fabrics, and lighting conditions. These natural variations are not considered defects.


DIGITALLY PRINTED FABRICS

Digitally printed fabrics may show light marks, needle tracking, or visible stitch holes during quilting. Results vary by fabric and print method. These characteristics are not considered quilting defects and generally do not affect durability.


MARKING TOOLS

Temporary marking tools may be used when reasonably necessary for loading, alignment, or quilting.

Although these products are designed to be temporary, complete removal cannot be guaranteed on every fabric. Visibility may be affected by fabric type, color, treatment, age, or prior handling.


CLIENT-PROVIDED BACKING AND BATTING

Client-provided backing, batting, thread, binding fabric, and other materials must be suitable for machine quilting.

Birdsbill Mercantile is not responsible for bleeding, shrinkage, distortion, bearding, material failure, manufacturing defects, or other issues originating from client-provided materials.


COLORFASTNESS

Clients are responsible for ensuring that their fabrics and supplied materials are colorfast.

Birdsbill Mercantile is not responsible for dye migration, bleeding, fading, staining, or color transfer caused by the materials used in the quilt.


DAMAGE AND MATERIAL LIMITATIONS

We take reasonable precautions to protect every quilt while it is in our care.

Birdsbill Mercantile is not responsible for damage or changes resulting from weak or fragile fabric, open or insecure seams, embellishments, pre-existing damage, material defects, previous repairs, adhesive residue, or the normal stresses of machine quilting.

If we identify a concern before or during quilting, we may pause work and contact you before continuing.


DESIGN AND QUILTING

Patterns, thread, batting, and finishing selections are based on the choices recorded during intake.

Pattern scale, placement, orientation, alignment, and other technical quilting decisions remain at the professional discretion of Birdsbill Mercantile unless a specific arrangement has been agreed to in writing.

Minor variations are normal in computerized longarm quilting and are not considered defects.


RIGHT TO PAUSE OR DECLINE SERVICE

We reserve the right to pause or decline work when a quilt or supplied material may not withstand machine quilting, could damage equipment, presents a health or safety concern, or requires services outside our scope.

If work is paused after intake, we’ll contact you to discuss the available options.


TURNAROUND TIME

Turnaround estimates are provided when your quilt is received and may change because of seasonal volume, project requirements, finishing services, equipment needs, or circumstances outside our control.

Priority Rush may be available for an additional 20%. When approved, the quilt moves to the next available longarm opening; it does not guarantee completion by a specific date unless confirmed in writing.


PAYMENT AND RETURN

No deposit is required. Your final invoice will be emailed after quilting and selected finishing services are complete.

Payment must be received before a quilt is shipped or returned to a partner shop. Studio-pickup clients may pay before pickup or at the appointment using a card, contactless payment, or cash.

Clients are responsible for keeping their email address, phone number, mailing address, and return selections current.


PROMOTIONAL OFFERS

New clients may receive $25 off their first quilt.

Mail-In orders containing two or more quilts sent together qualify for complimentary return shipping. A qualifying first-time Mail-In order containing two or more quilts may receive both offers.

Promotions have no cash value and apply only when all stated eligibility requirements are met. Birdsbill Mercantile may modify or discontinue promotional offers at any time.


COMPLETED-QUILT STORAGE

We’ll notify you by email or phone when your quilt is complete and ready for its selected return method.

Studio-pickup quilts should be collected within a reasonable timeframe. If you need additional time, please contact us so arrangements can be documented.

We’ll make reasonable efforts to contact clients using the information provided during intake. Quilts remaining unclaimed for more than 90 days without payment, pickup, or communication may be subject to storage charges or further action as permitted by applicable law.


SHIPPING

Clients are responsible for shipping their quilts to Birdsbill Mercantile and for return-shipping charges unless a promotion or written arrangement states otherwise.

Mail-In orders containing two or more quilts shipped together qualify for complimentary return shipping. Please package quilts securely and include your name and phone number inside the package.

Birdsbill Mercantile is not responsible for loss, theft, delay, misdelivery, or damage while a package is in a shipping carrier’s possession.


INSURANCE

Shipping insurance is optional but strongly recommended, particularly for quilts with significant monetary, historic, or sentimental value.

Clients are responsible for selecting and purchasing appropriate insurance when shipping a quilt to Birdsbill Mercantile. Contact us before intake if special return-shipping insurance or signature service is needed.


LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

To the extent permitted by applicable law, Birdsbill Mercantile’s liability for a claim connected to quilting or finishing services is limited to the amount paid for the services associated with the affected quilt.

Birdsbill Mercantile is not responsible for sentimental value, indirect loss, incidental damages, or issues resulting from pre-existing conditions, client-provided materials, construction, or events outside our reasonable control.


PHOTOGRAPHY

Completed quilts may be photographed or recorded for documentation, portfolio, website, social-media, educational, or marketing purposes.

Clients who do not want their quilt photographed or shared publicly must notify Birdsbill Mercantile in writing before quilting begins.


AGREEMENT

By submitting a quilt through Mail-In, Quick Drop, Scheduled Appointment, Shop Drop, or Quilt Show Drop-Off, the client confirms that the information provided is accurate and acknowledges these policies.

Submitting a quilt authorizes Birdsbill Mercantile to perform the selected quilting and finishing services and to contact the client by phone or email when questions or clarification are needed.

Still Have Questions?

We’re happy to help before you submit your quilt.
Contact Us

Birdsbill Mercantile, LLC

8216 Hennings Drive, Stanwood, Washington 98292, United States

Copyright © 2026 Birdsbill Mercantile - All Rights Reserved.

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