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[Pat]

What do you want to ask/share about Machine Quilting? This Monday I'll spend half the show answering questions with Heidi Kaisand on Machine quilting.... post your questions before the show here

And this topic is now permanent! Ask questions any time.. share resources.. tips.. woot woot.. let's finish some quilts!

[quiltermary]

My question ... machine quilting vs computerized machine quilting vs hand quilting ... how do think they should be placed in a quilt show? All together? or in separate catagories?

[Pat]

Mary I'll ask Heidi in advance if she knows anything about judging to be able to ask that. i do not know how to judge a show or the criteria each show uses.

I DO know that if you push fabric.. it is NOT long arm.. even if done on my George. You must push the MACHINE for it to be longarm quilting.

[Sandi Andersen]

When Heidi brought Lenni and George to Roseanne's studio for a Roadshow visit, I got the chance to try both. I immediately liked the "feel" of stitching with Lenni. I felt like I could "draw/doodle" with Lenni in a way that didn't work with George. Moving the fabric under the needle to quilt with George didn't seem as "natural" for me. Then a couple of weeks ago at Heidi's retreat, I got to use the Millennium for a full-size quilt and I loved the feel of "doodle-stitching" on my quilt top. I even wrote hidden words in my quilt top. :-)  My question is this.......As a first time buyer of a professional quilting system, should one start with George and then move to a long-arm?  I view the purchase of these machines like buying a car and it will take months to figure out what to purchase and then I have to convince my husband! 

[quiltermary]

Pat - re: machine vs hand, etc ... I wasn't so much asking about "what is ..." I know each show has different rules and such. I was more asking - her opinion on the question, your's too.

My opinion ... when I started "pushing a machiine" I was quite alright with everything lumped together. Now that I've seen such stunning work done with computerized quilting, I'm no longer sure I want my humble free-motion stuff to be in the same categories.

[Primdec]

Pat, I've wondered about the batting. What is used? How is it bought, off a roll or out of a bag?

[Cindy in TN]

I've had more customers lately ask for an allover pattern on an applique quilt.  Is this becoming more acceptable, because once quilting over applique was a big no-no?

[Pat]

Great Questions everyone!!!  I have a list for Monday.. we have super questions come in!!!

Sandi I can answer the George VS Long arm question as I'm pretty sure we won't hit on that as it's more specific to machine.

George is no different than your domestic machine in how you work it. You push fabric.. George is bigger better and FASTER with more space.. more speed than any domestic machine.

You experienced what most people do... you either like to push fabric.. or you like to push the machine.  One will feel more comfortable than the other... I know longarm quilters that NEVER pushed fabric and can't do it..

There is also the 'mostly stand up to quilt' vs 'always sit to quilt' options. Some people can't stand.. it's not an option.

There is a space consideration. George has a TINY footprint when the table is folded.. and even the shorted frame of a long arm takes over 10 feet of space ... and to really be effective with a long arm you need the longer frame (I think)

Some people who push fabric on their domestic machine try a long arm and never look back.. it's how they are programmed. That sounds like you Sandi.

Carol Bryer Fallert had a long arm,...tryed the George ... then sold her long arm to never look back. She has used a George for years and she can't quilt by pushing the machine.

Marilyn Badger who is an extraordinary quilter is comfortable doing both, but she is very unusual and really only uses George at the shows when I'm on break.

so if cost is not an issue..... it has to do with what your brain does best.  So trying machines is what you should do to determine which way your quilt best

[Sharon]

I think I was able to push fabric through my Nina and other DSMs while sewing! I tried the Flynn Frame which is also pushing a quilt under the needle. I didn't like it at all and it was much harder on my back and arms. Then I got my Watts frame and put my Nina on it. Back and forth from piecing to frame work was also not for me. Back problems. Then I found a bargain on the Juki and I have worked this set up ever since. I leave the frame silent for months and it takes me gearing up my courage to get back at it. I am intimidated by it at time. I hate to frog stitch (ripit, ripit, ripit) and that's what intimidates me. I really like my set up. It was the least amount of $$$$ I could find. I have been saving for an HQ of one kind or another and now I've heard some have their Juki's stretched. I'm considering this. I eventually think I want a computerized and already have a stitch regulator on my Jukit which has helped emensely. That's my history and I'm sharing it for others who might be debating the purchases. HIH - Oh I changed my pic back to spring.
lol

[Sandi Andersen]

Wow, Pat, thanks for the answer on George versus Lenni. I haven't done much machine quilting with my regular sewing machine. I just never seem to do it well and I really love to handquilt. It's just that there isn't time to handquilt everything I want to make! I have back issues that make sitting difficult. I have no problem standing as long as I can move a bit. :-) So when I tried the two machines, I first tried George and then I tried the Lenni, and ......wow, it was like "driving" a really cool car. It just worked for me. Space isn't an issue but cost is a big consideration but I am willing to save for the one that I know will work best for me. I appreciated hearing about other quilters and their experiences. Thanks much!

[Linda in IL]

After making my first BIG quilt and quilting it on my DSM, I knew I "needed" a longarm...I bought one in 2000 and used it for the better part of 3 yrs, mostly quilting for others...my setup wasn't great...I had a 14 foot table and no dedicated place for it...however I did love the work...to me it just clicked...sooo much easier than pushing fabric...if I ever have the room, I'll buy another one. So I mostly send out my quilts, I have lots of friends who have longarms and do fab work. My question for Heidi, would be can a former longarmer be taught to quilt on a DSM? I agree with you, I think it is a brain thing.
Signing off....big lightening in the area!!!
Linda P in IL

[Pat]

so good to hear what works for others.. we are all unique so you can't give a one size fits all answer!

[Pat]

The show is online now!

I was able to get in some questions.. but I had 2 pages of them... LOL! So will answer a few at my blog tomorrow...

Sandi I suggest you email Heidi about your finance questions... you do have to buy bobbins and oil and grease for a long arm.  There is an 8 yr warrenty on all machine so you are covered for a lot of things there!  You do have to ship the head to Iowa for repair unless you happened to have a certified mechanic near you. But the head is not expensive to ship, you keep the box it came in.

For those interested in what 'George is like'.. see my site
http://www.georgequilts.com/

[Pat]

Let me know if the machine quilting segment helped any of you!

[TheaM1]

had a chance to listen to the radio show this morning - very interesting!  I have a mid arm machine and am trying to decide whether to offer services to others... her questions & answers for customers were very helpful.  Now I know what to ask!
I don't really like to do 'allover' designs, so it is not likely that I'd end up doing this.  Most customers seem to want the least expensive option.
I talked to a woman last week who told me that her 60x80 sofa throw was not worth the $50 it would cost to have it quilted at a long arm quilter, so she would just do it herself.  She has never quilted anything!  Can't wait to see what she does with it...