PANTOGRAPHS, PATTERNS OR FREE MOTION AND YOUR QUILT

The saying goes that “it is not a quilt until it’s quilted.” With that said, which process will you choose, which pantograph or pattern and who, if not you, to finish the project?

The list of considerations is long:

·       Hand quilting…traditional, historical, and time consuming. But not out of the question.

·       Sewing Machine…There are those that wouldn’t have it any other way. Not as time consuming as by hand, it is a tad bit difficult as the quilt gets larger, and I’m told a Seam Ripper needs to be close by.

·       Sit-down Longarm…For those that in the past used their sewing machines this is a welcome addition to the possibilities when finishing the project is undertaken. Still moving the quilt sandwich, probably some adhesive or pins involved but with a much larger surface area to support the quilt and a deeper throat to maneuver in…a huge step to shorten the time to complete a project.

·       Another option may be a mid-arm hoop rack for your sewing machine or even a Sit-down Machine. A little more time consuming because the surface area of the quilt being attended to is smaller and requires more maneuvering to cover all of the area needed to be quilted. A hoop rack has a place…you are not moving the quilt sandwich but the machine.

·        Then there is the Longarm Machine. The absolute first consideration is, what can you afford? I’ve commented more than once there is a Chevy parked in our Longarm Room. Not really, but a Honda Accord sold in 2011 for the same price.

·       Our selection was narrowed down to two choices after a year of trying, researching, weighing the cost and the capabilities, maintenance and needs we desired. With few exceptions, minor at best, our selection has provided hundreds if not thousands of hours (currently over 1900 projects) over the last 13+ years. Maintenance, minimal, only two situations where I needed support…both handled over the phone. A drop of oil daily and simple routine cleaning. Not to mention the only manufacturer that has a Pantograph system utilizing a computer tablet that eliminates paper pantographs for hand guided capability. We have never considered a computer driven system, i.e. Innova’s Mach 3, Gammill’s Statler or Bernina’s Q-matic. The only three systems I would ever consider. You get what you pay for…and you pay for either of these with many, many pennies. I’m sure there are many longarm quilters that have had great success with other brands…we just never experienced a high confidence it them. Gammill, Innova and now Bernina all have a long history in sewing machine tech and advancement. I like the industrial feel and presence these three emulate. I regress.

·       No matter the method, hand, machine, mid-arm, longarm or like Marrianne Fons told me once, “I longarm by check.” What’s next?

·       The two major topics are thread color and pattern choice.

·       Thread color for me is the simplest. A light, blending color to disappear into the quilt. I prefer light threads blended into the fabrics rather than darker threads. When there is a abundance of dark fabrics it is usually the only time I would recommend dark threads. One of the reasons I strongly believe in the consulting process with the piecer…their idea may be and has been totally opposite. In the end it is the piecers desires I want to compliment. I’ve always felt that the darker threads on lighter fabrics are a distraction, seen first. I think the craft of the quilter/piecer should be seen first. One reason I’m not a huge fan of free motion quilting…to me…more often than not, the quilting is the first thing you see, and the thread count is frequently way up there.

·       Next up is pantograph/pattern choice. I have two avenues. One, themed pantograph. A quilt with a butterfly theme is receptive to a butterfly pantograph. Then again…the theme is pronounced and is readily acceptable for a pantograph that simply provides texture to the quilt. I enjoy working with patterns that give the quilt a sense of movement and texture. Texture works in both cases…where theme is obviously defined.

      ·       Themed…

 

·       Texture…

 

 

·       It is a matter of taste, choice, preference, likes and dislikes…on and on.

·       My goal is to compliment your quilt. It is one of those things, in most cases, where we put our heads together and come as close as possible to the vision the quilter/piecer had when the inspiration reached out and reached for their creativity and the next heirloom from the sewing room.

·       Quilt till you wilt…we do.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

·       Textured…