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Me and My Work

Wendy TharpHi, I am Wendy. I am a lifelong maker, collaborator, and craft enthusiast. I'm also a wheat grinding, bread baking, herb gardening, lego building, costume making mother of two. I love puzzles, podcasts, murder mysteries, And of course quilting.

I am a Portland based quilter working from my home studio using a Bernina Q24 with QMatic. I schedule a maximum of 8 quilts per month to ensure I can provide each quilt my full care and attention.

I was raised with a needle in my hand, so I know the work, sacrifice, and love that went into making your quilt top. I would be honored to collaborate with you on your project.

Samples of My Work

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Design Options

This is a selection of some of our most popular edge-to-edge designs, grouped by density. The graphic represents a 24-inch square, and prices are set based on that density. If you find a design that you like, but would prefer the density be adjusted, I can do that! Price would be adjusted accordingly. Happy planning!

To estimate the price of your quilt, multiply the width x length to get the total square inches. Then multiply your total square inches x cost of design. See our FAQs for more on calculating price.

Light Density Designs

Anne's Favorite
3¢ per square inch

Argyle
3¢ per square inch

Ayana Basic
3¢ per square inch

Barbed Wire
3¢ per square inch

Beaded
3¢ per square inch

Brain Fog
3¢ per square inch

Bramble
3¢ per square inch

Butterfly
3¢ per square inch

Butterfly Dance
3¢ per square inch

Caliente
3¢ per square inch

Camelia
3¢ per square inch

China Grove
3¢ per square inch

Christmas Lights
3¢ per square inch

Christmas Star
3¢ per square inch

Cloud Nine
3¢ per square inch

Daisy on a String
3¢ per square inch

Dragonfly Trails
3¢ per square inch

Froggie Bubbles
3¢ per square inch

Geo Puzzle
3¢ per square inch

Ghostly
3¢ per square inch

Gifts
3¢ per square inch

Heat Wave
3¢ per square inch

Hickory Dickory
3¢ per square inch

Jasmine
3¢ per square inch

Licorice Whip
3¢ per square inch

Looped Flowers One
3¢ per square inch

Looped Flowers Two
3¢ per square inch

Looped Flowers Three
3¢ per square inch

Loose Swirls
3¢ per square inch

Matchstick - Wider than 2" apart
3¢ per square inch

Off Kilter
3¢ per square inch

Orange Peel
3¢ per square inch

Pipelines
3¢ per square inch

Primitive Hearts
3¢ per square inch

Rebekah's Rose
3¢ per square inch

Scrap Paper
3¢ per square inch

Smoke
3¢ per square inch

Splash of Love
3¢ per square inch

Square Meander
3¢ per square inch

Starry Night
3¢ per square inch

Stars
3¢ per square inch

Streamers
3¢ per square inch

Swirl Flower
3¢ per square inch

Swirls
3¢ per square inch

Waves - Wider than 2" apart
3¢ per square inch

Wood Grain
3¢ per square inch

Medium Density Designs

Argyle Play
4¢ per square inch

Baby Girl Lace
4¢ per square inch

Bell Flower
4¢ per square inch

Bubble Flowers
4¢ per square inch

Butterfly with Stars
4¢ per square inch

Calm Waters
4¢ per square inch

Candle
4¢ per square inch

Cat Lady
4¢ per square inch

Cherish
4¢ per square inch

China Sea
4¢ per square inch

Country
4¢ per square inch

Crab Cakes
4¢ per square inch

Denali
4¢ per square inch

Effervescence
4¢ per square inch

Extension
4¢ per square inch

Geometric
4¢ per square inch

Last Leaves
4¢ per square inch

Leaforama
4¢ per square inch

Loose Swirl Feathers
4¢ per square inch

Matchstick - 1” to 2” apart
4¢ per square inch

Olive Sauce
4¢ per square inch

Pebble Shells
4¢ per square inch

Paisley Swirls
4¢ per square inch

Pickup Sticks
4¢ per square inch

Seeking
4¢ per square inch

String Art
4¢ per square inch

Sunflower Buds
4¢ per square inch

Swirls Paisley
4¢ per square inch

Vines and Berries
4¢ per square inch

Waves - 1” to 2” apart
4¢ per square inch

Windy Woods
4¢ per square inch

High Density Designs

Basic Ribbon
5¢ per square inch

Basic U
5¢ per square inch

Batik Butterflies
5¢ per square inch

Charlotte's Web
5¢ per square inch

Dancing Vines
5¢ per square inch

Hex and Diamond
5¢ per square inch

Holly, Mistletoe, and Pine
5¢ per square inch

Leatherworks
5¢ per square inch

Matchstick - ¼” to ¾” apart
5¢ per square inch

Panto Hearts
5¢ per square inch

Rapunzel
5¢ per square inch

Snow Crystals
5¢ per square inch

Spider Spinners
5¢ per square inch

Swans Journey
5¢ per square inch

Will O' the Wisp
5¢ per square inch

Waves - ¼” to ¾” apart
5¢ per square inch

This is not an exhaustive list, but a sampling of some of the most popular motifs. I’ve got MANY more designs, so if you are looking for something specific that you don’t see here (like sports, holiday or critters) just let me know. I bet I’ve got it!

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Rates

Computerized E2E Quilting - $100 minimum
Light Density 3¢ per square inch
Medium Density 4¢ per square inch
Heavy Density 5¢ per square inch
T-Shirt Quilts - E2E - $125 minimum
Light Density 3.5¢ per square inch
Medium Density 4.5¢ per square inch
Heavy Density 5.5¢ per square inch
Custom Computerized Quilting - $200 minimum
Custom Borders, Blocks, Masked Applique, or Freehand 6-10¢ per square inch, depending on the complexity
Batting
Cotton - 90" Wide 30¢ per linear inch
Wool - 96" Wide 60¢ per linear inch
Additional Services
Trimming your Quilt $10-$30, depending on quilt size
Attaching Binding (one side only) 5¢ per linear inch
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How to Prepare Your Quilt

Give your entire quilt top a really good press, using starch and steam for the best results.

When pressing, take a moment to trim any stray threads or shreddy edges you find.

If your top has a lot of delicate piecing or bias cut blocks around the outside edges, stay stitch around the perimeter at ⅛”. This will help keep your quilt from stretching on the frame, and getting out of “square”.

When piecing your backing fabric for a large quilt, use a horizontal seam if at all possible. Sew with a full 1 ½” to 2” seam allowance and press OPEN.

And remember, the selvedge doesn’t stretch like the rest of the fabric, so be sure to trim that away! It’s totally fine on the outside edge that will be cut away before you bind, but you don’t want that bulk running down the middle of your quilt.

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Often Asked Questions - With Answers!

How big does my backing fabric need to be?

I’ll need 6 to 8 inches more than the length and width of your quilt top. For a 60 x 80 inch quilt, I would need the backing fabric to be 68 x 88 inches.

What about batting?

I have Warm & White 100% Cotton and Hobbs 100% Tuscany Wool batting available for purchase by the linear inch.

If you have batting already, I’d be happy to use yours. I’m confident using all types of quality batting, including Bamboo (eco-friendly), Silk (so drapey), Polyester (bring the hypoallergenic fluff!), Cotton (a low-loft classic), Wool (light and fluffy as a cloud), and all the blends. I love batting, and will happily chat with you about the benefits of each type, so you get the finished quilt of your dreams.

How much batting do I need?

Your batting should be the same size as your backing fabric, 6 to 8 inches more in width and length as your quilt top. If you are providing me with packaged batting, just make sure it’s large enough. I’m happy to trim it down if it’s too big, and I’ll return the excess to you.

Don’t have the time or desire to run to the store to grab a batting? No problem! I offer both cotton & wool batting for sale by the linear inch. To determine how much you need, here is the formula:

For a 60” x 80” quilt, you will need a batting chunk that is 68” x 88”. The 100% cotton batting is 90” wide, which will cover the length, so you would purchase 68 linear inches. At 30 cents per linear inch, the cost of your batting would be $20.40.

If you need a king sized batting, let me know. I keep a few pre packaged ones on hand, and would be happy to sell you one.

How will I get it to you?

I’m happy to pick up the quilt at your location, meet you at a local quilt or coffee shop, or you can swing by my home studio. We will schedule a time and place that works best for you.

Or, if you would prefer, you can even ship it to me.

Why do you charge extra for a T-Shirt Quilt?

Quilting on knit fabric can be tricky, particularly when the material has printed graphics. I will be taking extra steps, slowing the machine way down, and dedicating extra time to ensure a quality result on your one-of-a-kind keepsake.

Do you charge extra for Minky or Cuddle backs?

Nope. I'm comfortable and experienced working with these fabrics. So no additional charge is required.

What about thread?

The cost of thread is included in the price, no extra cost.

For most quilts, I use Glide thread. Glide is a delightful 40 weight polyester thread that is strong, launders well, and has a slight sheen to it. It’s truly lovely. In the bobbin, I will use a coordinating Glide color, in 60 weight. By using a slightly lighter weight thread on the back of your quilt, it fades into your background visually, creating more texture than “thread art”. You’ll still see the thread on the back, but it won’t be too aggressive. If you would prefer a different look, just let me know and we will select the proper thread type and weight for your quilt.

Thread color? I’ve got lots! We will pick one before I get quilting.

What size quilt can you accommodate?

I can quilt from a baby quilt all the way to a King Size! My frame will accommodate up to 120” wide quilt.

How much is my quilt going to cost?

The cost of computerized edge-to-edge quilting is calculated by the Total Square Inches (TSI) of a quilt, times the cost of the design. To estimate cost, you’ll want to determine the total square inches (TSI) of your top. Just multiply the (width) x (height) to get your TSI.

Example: A 60” (width) x 80” (height) = 4800 TSI.

Computerized E2E designs are priced from 3-5 cents per square inch. Multiply the TSI by the cost of design, and that’s your estimate!

Example: A 60 x 80 inch quilt.
Light Density 4800 (TSI) x 3¢ = $144
Medium Density 4800 (TSI) x 4¢ = $192
Heavy Density 4800 (TSI) x 5¢ = $240

What is "Masked Appliqué" and do I want or need it?

Masking is the act of sewing around the edge of a shape, leaving the inside unstitched.

Imagine you have a block with an appliqué butterfly. Like every other block, you may choose to quilt the stitches over it. Doing this will visually flatten the butterfly, integrating it with the rest of the top.

When you “mask” an appliqué, you prevent the machine from stitching over it. Stitching around the butterfly will cause it to be puffy, adding dimension and visual interest to your quilt. This same technique is often used in shirt quilts when you want a pocket to remain functional.

The price of masking will be determined by the complexity of the shape I’m stitching around, as well as the number of items being masked on the quilt. This technique can be integrated into an edge to edge design, or a fully customized design layout.