You’ve been working on putting that quilt top together for MONTHS.

There was the first, “Oh! I love that tutorial/pattern!” Then came the stash-dash, or the local fabric store run for just the right combination of fabric. And then the moment of truth when you began laying out the fabric, loading a fresh blade in the rotary cutter and the oh-so-careful cutting (and sometimes re-cutting) of the pieces. Hours of sewing later (a process which of course takes so much longer than that 15 minute You-Tube Tutorial did showing how easy it is) and FINALLY you’re done. Now what?  Send off your masterpiece to strangers somewhere and hope it comes back in a reasonable amount of time, quilted the way you wanted?

YIKES!!

That’s where the ladies of Bella Dolce try to take a little of the fear out of sending your masterpiece away. When you give us your quilt top we take time to make sure you are involved in every step of the process. All the way from measuring to delivery, you are kept in the loop!

The first step on our end is to acquaint ourselves with what you’re looking for. That can be as little as, “I have a quilt and it’s this size, now help.” Or as much as, “I’ve looked at your patterns, I know what I want and it must be quilted in cotton thread, color: magenta.” We are happy to meet you wherever you are in your quilting process and discuss whatever designs you would like to. There are three of us with vastly different tastes and opinions so we can always find exactly what you’re looking for.  Occasionally we can even suggest something a little bit out of your comfort zone that you end up loving.

Once we have your quilt top and backing in hand we take careful stock of all of the information you have given us so far and get to work. Before we even think about putting your quilt on the frame we take measurements, suggest pattern options and thread colors and email those with an estimate to you for more conversation and confirmation. This is fun for you, the customer, because you get to see a digital rendering of several different patterns superimposed over a picture of your quilt! We take into account the type of pattern and price range you have asked for and send you a few choices. We like to toss in something unexpected or that we loved on your top just to give you a different choice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then we give you a few colors to choose from. With thread laid out on your top you can actually see the color with your fabrics. This way it doesn’t feel like a guessing game when it comes to color.  We might throw a wild color in now and then just to see if the bold will entice you. All this comes in an email and nothing happens to your top until you have confirmed what you like! If you need some more options we’re always happy to try again!

Once we know what you’re after, it goes on the frame and we get quilting. We try very hard to keep our turnaround times quick so that you can get your beauty bound and to its new home!

When the quilt is finished we send you an invoice and wrap it up like a present so when it shows up at your door it feels like a special surprise. Even though you’ve been involved every step of the way the finished product is always more beautiful and special than you imagined it would be.

Voila! In just a few weeks (yes, WEEKS not months) Bella Dolce has your beautiful creation back in your hands ready to bind and finish.

Not so scary after all.

***Thanks to Dale Musselwhite of Colorado Springs, CO for letting us share pictures of her beautiful General’s Daughter quilt.