tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513356584940430771.post8014900823430427883..comments2024-03-22T07:42:07.436+00:00Comments on Lily's Quilts: Long Arm QuiltingLynne (Lily's Quilts)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12706577666898878440noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513356584940430771.post-87343897015709273142012-01-23T16:50:36.548+00:002012-01-23T16:50:36.548+00:00I have only sent one quilt out to be quilted (when...I have only sent one quilt out to be quilted (when I lived in the US). I loved the results, but as others have said it didn't feel like mine. I have quilted every other quilt myself. A few years ago, when the tops were piling up and my shoulders were seizing up, I bought a long arm machine. I bought it just after my father died (quite young) and I realised that if at all possible you shouldn't wait to realise your dreams. I love quilting on it (and on a domestic machine), and hope one day to quilt for others (if I ever get the chance to give up the day job!). In the meantime, I practise on my own quilts and those of friends who will let me loose on theirs! Someone else has mentioned that they cost as much as a small car - I justified the expense by not having a car!Quiltificationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11203946438538407782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513356584940430771.post-25449054898680005822012-01-17T21:44:23.169+00:002012-01-17T21:44:23.169+00:00Some really great comments here Lynne! As you kno...Some really great comments here Lynne! As you know, I have a table top frame that takes a domestic, I went down this route because I had 18 tops and no chance of finishing them in a decade! LA'ing was too expensive, however, when I compared the cost of 10 quilts to the cost of my New English Quilter frame, I was in a win win situation. 4 1/2 years later and easily 200 quilts, I have no regrets. One day I WILL have a long arm! <br /><br />I'm absolutely thrilled Tracey will be quilting for you, she is amaizing!Trudihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06105739423187659152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513356584940430771.post-80801565117260274742012-01-17T08:19:53.349+00:002012-01-17T08:19:53.349+00:00Wow you have a lot of comments and I don't hav...Wow you have a lot of comments and I don't have time to read them all but I'll add my two-cents worth! My best friend is a long-arm quilter and so I use her a lot really. I've nearly always been happy with the results except for one occasion. The quilt did not have a lot of contrast and when it was quilted it lost any contrast it did have and looked quite bland. I think long-arm quilting is good for simple quilts which suit an all over pantogram, but I think more complicated/pieced quilts need either hand or custom quilting. It's very hard to find a custom quilter you like the style of to be honest. I'll just put the link here to my blog with pictures of the quilt with no contrast http://deb-robertson.blogspot.com/2011/08/trio-of-vintage-sheet-quilts.htmlDeb Robertson Writeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08765205075437689979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513356584940430771.post-35767735064880545282012-01-16T14:00:51.138+00:002012-01-16T14:00:51.138+00:00I've done it once but it's not something I...I've done it once but it's not something I can afford to do all the time. I can recommend Chris of Father's Heart Long Arm Quilting though, she is excellent, very knowledgeable (it was the first proper quilt I had made!) and obviously the compliments I got about my work helped too!<br /><br />I know that Katy uses her services on occasion too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513356584940430771.post-85831088891197922292012-01-16T12:24:27.176+00:002012-01-16T12:24:27.176+00:00I am a longarm quilter in the UK and I love my job...I am a longarm quilter in the UK and I love my job! However, the process must be a joint one between patch worker and quilter...lots of chat and detailed discussions, cups of tea and sketchbooks. The result is happy customers and lovely quilts.<br />However, as we are all different, quilt tops can provide a real challenge to us longarmers, so remember to attend to your pressing, ansd try to keep borders square for best results!<br />People with computerised systems can offer lots of patterns and download new ones in an instant..they can also freehand too , so the end result is unique to each quilt. <br />As regards pricing in the UK...most longarmers have invested heavily in machines,and time spent learning how to use it . It takes a good few hours, days and sometimes weeks to complete a large quilt, it does not just stitch out by itself! <br />Talk to your longarmers and visit their studio...it really can be a very social and fun part of completing a quilt top.the running chicken quiltinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13844649174896606113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513356584940430771.post-50427643603649855532012-01-14T20:18:40.989+00:002012-01-14T20:18:40.989+00:00Hi Lynne, my name is Denise & I'm a longar...Hi Lynne, my name is Denise & I'm a longarm quilter in the US. I just read all of comments in this post. I'm so sad to see that some of you have had bad experiences or feel that it is too cost prohibitive to use a LA'r. <br />I have a Statler/Gammill Optimum. I chose this machine so I can accurately and quickly quilt with great results. It's not as labor intensive so my prices are very reasonable and I can finish most quilts in one day.<br />The best tips I can offer are this: Ask to see examples of their work. No reputable LA'r would not have examples to show.<br />Also, keep in mind that every quilter has varying talents and skills. You wouldn't go to a plastic surgeon for heart surgery; make sure the quilter can accomplish what you are asking of them. And don't be afraid to take your quilt elsewhere if you aren't comfortable with them. After all, you have invested a lot of time and $ into your quilt!<br />Don't be afraid of your quilt being perfect or being judged. The right quilting can enhance ANY quilt and no one is perfect!<br />One last thing...make sure your borders are applied correctly! This one tip alone can prevent disappointment with the end result!<br /><br />website: www.topsandbobbins.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1822<br />Blog: topsandblogin.blogspot.com/Denisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02438928026711608351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513356584940430771.post-48152503208466905222012-01-14T00:09:06.380+00:002012-01-14T00:09:06.380+00:00I sent my first quilt to a long armer back in Nove...I sent my first quilt to a long armer back in November and my second is currently on its way back to me as I write! I found someone who was recommended to my mom. So far I've just done simple, all-over designs and I've been happy with the results and the price. I think the biggest thing has been that I feel like my projects go so much faster and I can finish more quilts! It's amazing that she can do something in just a hours that would take me days! I plan on continuing to send large, bed-sized quilts off to be quilted, and keep smaller projects to do myself. Good luck!Caitlin at Salty Oathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12639387062926709809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513356584940430771.post-26940310515753962722012-01-13T17:31:35.446+00:002012-01-13T17:31:35.446+00:00My two longarm quilting by checkbook experiences w...My two longarm quilting by checkbook experiences were great! The results far exceeded my expectations. No way could I have achieved anything close if I had done the quilting myself. One cost much more than the estimated price and the other cost much less, but in both cases the cost was well worth it. Both of the longarmers are members of my quilt guild with great reputations and I had seen lots of examples of their work during "Show & Tell" at our guild meetings. So, I had little trepidation about giving them free reign to do what they wanted--they are both artist as well as longarmers soI didn't want to stifle their creativity. The only requests that I made was to not make my larger quilt too girly and I wanted the houses to stand out on my smaller quilt.<br /><br />Because of the quilters that I used, my quilts appraised very well.<br /><br />The advice that I'd give to anyone considering quilting by checkbook would be to not be in a rush. Also, talk to people who have used the longarmer and see lots of examples of their work.NancyinSTLhttp://www.flickr.com/people/nphinstl/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513356584940430771.post-57934781223846656432012-01-13T12:31:45.723+00:002012-01-13T12:31:45.723+00:00Hi, I am a UK based longarm quilter and would also...Hi, I am a UK based longarm quilter and would also be quite happy to answer any questions that come up.<br /><br />I teach patchwork and quilting and one of the things I think you might want to consider before deciding if you want to send quilts out for quilting is what parts of making a quilt are you really keen on. Just as dressmaking and home furnishing are different skills so are patchwork and quilting. One person may like all these things, or they may only like one, and that's fine. I do have some students that are just patchworkers, the quilting phase does nothing for them, so they are ideally suited to send their quilts to someone else. On the other hand I have a couple of student who come to class but have yet to make any patchwork, they just don't see the point in it but love the quilting.<br /><br />Once you know how you feel about the quilting process you may decided it is something you can allow someone else to do for you. I would suggest that the more attached you are to doing your own quilting the more careful you are going to want to be in selecting a quilter to work with. If you pick a quilter with very different views I think you've got a good chance of being unhappy with the result. In the same way you may find some quilters who turn down your job, I've done it when I can see the piecer has strong views that I just don't understand. It's much better to have a good partnership than to just take what comes along.<br /><br />Find out what sort of work you quilter does. Do you want perfectly regular designs with the same number of stitches in each repeat? If so you want someone with a computer. Do you want a unique piece of work never to be repeated? You want a free hand quilter.<br /><br />You really do want to see samples of the quilters work. As I can't have customers in my house (where I work) because of insurance, I meet them at the local quilt shop. Having quilted many of the shop quilts I can usually not only show a sample of my work but exactly what I am thinking of for the top in front of me. <br /><br />Working long distance is possible, and actually I do quite a lot of it, but be prepared to spend a lot of time talking. The better you understand each other the better the resulting quilt will be.<br /><br />Many quilters list their prices on their web sites. Mine actually has a calculator, so you put in the size of your quilt and it tells you how much I will charge. Never be afraid to tell your longarmer that you are looking for a budget job. Hopefully they will then offer you advice on what can be done for your quilt in their cheapest range. I would say the exception to that rule is applique. Most of the time that needs more expensive quilting to look it's best. It's sad that some people will just put a pantograph over lovely hand applique, but there are so be specific about what you expect.<br /><br />Sorry I've gone on way too long. If there is anything folks would like to ask please feel free. Either comment on my blog or drop me an email.Ferrethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05503132721132843219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513356584940430771.post-35753233496874690912012-01-13T09:23:25.840+00:002012-01-13T09:23:25.840+00:00I recently got my first 'big' quilt longar...I recently got my first 'big' quilt longarm quilted at the Bramble Patch. It looks fantastic! I do however love the hand quilting that I have done on my boys smaller quilts and I dont think that my £30.00 John Lewis machine would cope with machine quiling at home!<br />For a special quilt I would recomend longarm quilting, however I am saving now so I can invest in a better machine to have a go at machine quilting myself at home.Pin It and Stitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11638276096765608976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513356584940430771.post-68361271230484093092012-01-13T08:57:59.448+00:002012-01-13T08:57:59.448+00:00I have only just been down to a new Patchwork stor...I have only just been down to a new Patchwork store near me which does longarm quilting as I would really like to get my "Swoon" quilt done as it is too big for me to handle. I have seen some of the quilting work done by them and it is lovely. The price quoted (approx $200 AU) was fairly reasonable for such a large quilt and I was given all of the information needed - ie make the backing at least 6 inches wider than the quilt top all round and use a good quality batting. So I would just suggest to do your homework and find someones work you like and maybe get a quote beforehand:)Kirstenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08193446838823679202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513356584940430771.post-51586491599514721002012-01-13T02:42:32.074+00:002012-01-13T02:42:32.074+00:00I know many people do so and love the results...bu...I know many people do so and love the results...but I like knowing that I made something myself, from start to finish, even if the results are less stellar than a long-arm-quilted masterpiece :) I *do* enjoy seeing such quilts, however; they are inspiring!Prof. S (the enchanted bobbin)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03469773781989607016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513356584940430771.post-12502283192303803692012-01-13T01:01:40.870+00:002012-01-13T01:01:40.870+00:00I am a Longarm Quilter here in the UK in the Scott...I am a Longarm Quilter here in the UK in the Scottish Borders....take a look at my blog and my website....ask questions, any questions?<br />I eill do pantographs but am stearing more towards freehand allover patternsbut my passion is custom quilting....I love quilting, it's the quilting that makes the quilt!<br /><br />http://borderlinequilter.blogspot.com/<br /><br />http://www.borderlinequilter.co.uk/<br /><br />Best Wishes<br />Kay in ScotlandBorderline Quilterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12229408740451041710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513356584940430771.post-88962659093072621512012-01-12T21:54:39.439+00:002012-01-12T21:54:39.439+00:00I have not. But I know a fantastic quilter who di...I have not. But I know a fantastic quilter who did and she said - while it was quilted beautifully - it felt like a quilt she could purchase at Macy's. It was no longer unique and the quilting was too perfect. I understand her feelings about it, but I also love the work that can be done by a long arm quilter.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09101540158088271850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513356584940430771.post-1488807822528865232012-01-12T21:08:14.273+00:002012-01-12T21:08:14.273+00:00I had a few quilted when I was in Australia and th...I had a few quilted when I was in Australia and they looked amazing. I would say if you are going to pay to have it done then definitely go for custom quilting. My mother in law made a noahs' ark applique quilt for my 2 year old and got it custom quilted and it is utterly amazing, definitely worth it. Long Arm quilting does seem to be so much more expensive in England though, I remember it being pretty cheap in Oz, blooming typical!Charlottehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04989559270340378895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513356584940430771.post-11136259416466999502012-01-12T20:41:58.406+00:002012-01-12T20:41:58.406+00:00I've never sent one out to be quilted but I ha...I've never sent one out to be quilted but I have long arm quilted one myself. Check around at local quilt shops. One by me allows you (after a introductory class that you pay for) to come in and rent the long arm machine by the hour (I pay $18/hr). Then you can come in and quilt it yourself and it takes much less time then doing it at home. Where I go provides the thread as well so you just need to bring your quilt/back/batting. I can't do any fancy designs yet, just meandering stipple, but they offer classes to learn more designs. Maybe somewhere by you offers this?Kelseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10611852534851391993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513356584940430771.post-53721197795286039522012-01-12T20:17:27.130+00:002012-01-12T20:17:27.130+00:00I am a long arm quilter in the US. I did a couple...I am a long arm quilter in the US. I did a couple from Germany and England but found the shipping and currency exchange problematic. My suggestion to you all considering such an endeavor, check out the quilter's websites. I, for example, post all the quilts I quilt on www.webshots.com/user/victoriasews and anyone can visit and see exactly what I do. If a quilter will not show you her work, I'd shy away from her. If you can visit her workplace, do that. Check out what she has hanging on her walls. Be clear when you discuss what you want done. If you have applique, be sure to tell her you do not want stitching in it. Let her know you like tons of stitching or very little. <br />I totally understand how disappointed one can be if you don't get what you asked for - the prime reason I went into business myself. I cried over the first and only quilt I paid to get done. I'd asked for lots of roses and got none and she had used a design one way, turned the quilt and stitched the other borders, boing right over the original stitching when she reached it. Aarrrggg! Find a quilter that loves to make quilts as much as you do. She'll listen better.fiberobsessionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00417604112406580808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513356584940430771.post-73812481657644895772012-01-12T17:32:13.300+00:002012-01-12T17:32:13.300+00:00I have sent one out and will send more for sure. ...I have sent one out and will send more for sure. I had an all over pattern and paid the extra $35 for hand binding. She did an excellent job for both and I was very happy not to have to try and do all of that myself! If I ever do a really fancy quilt, I'd pay for the custom quilting. They can handle a bigger quilt than my little sewing area can and I love free motion looks but am not very good at it. If its a lap size or smaller and I don't need anything fancy I'll do it myself, although I really don't like doing bindings, sigh.Shayla Sharphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13710155633524566853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513356584940430771.post-20051702388412676302012-01-12T17:22:25.403+00:002012-01-12T17:22:25.403+00:00I am put off making larger quilts by the thought o...I am put off making larger quilts by the thought of trying to quilt them on my standard sewing machine but the cost of getting them LAQ is just way too much plus I 'd be embarrassed by my shoddy piecing. <br /><br />I over heard a lady in a quilt shop discussing quilting her quilt for her and it really sounded like she would do a great job, she discussed all aspects, quilting style, threads etc advised her on what works and what doesn't with different patterns and she really seemed to care about doing a good job for her. <br /><br />Another thought is that one friend of mine was able to pay an hourly rate to use a long arm machine herself (after a training run) she was able to do a stipple pattern in a couple of hours on a king size quilt for a fraction of what it would have cost to pay someone else to do it. maybe this would solve the issue of not wanting the quilting completed by someone else and the high costs.Nikkihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04474494233318706924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513356584940430771.post-4179126216427484542012-01-12T17:20:41.679+00:002012-01-12T17:20:41.679+00:00I'm to much of a control freak to have anyone ...I'm to much of a control freak to have anyone else touch one of my quilts....isn't that a terrible confession.<br />For me the quilting is as much part of the process as the designing and the piecing.<br /><br />I bought a long arm about two years ago and it will probably pay for itself. They do take up a fair bit of space though.<br /><br />Before I had the long arm I found myself trying all sorts of QAYG methods to avoid putting a huge quilt under the machine. It's funny but even with a long arm in my studio I still do a lot of Quilt As You Go.MariQuiltshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07024634370648175612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513356584940430771.post-40772401929759282882012-01-12T17:09:17.730+00:002012-01-12T17:09:17.730+00:00Wow....quite a conversation going on here.
I ha...Wow....quite a conversation going on here. <br /><br />I have a few articles about longarm quilting on my blog topstotreasures.blogspot.com. <br /><br />I longarm quilt for others and have a few pet peeves about it. (see the articles). The best advice I can give is get to know the person you entrust your quilt to. You are not obligated to use their services just because you talk to them. Feel free to walk away from their shop with your quilt in hand if you are not sure of them.Cindy Sharphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04694393041670847676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513356584940430771.post-1772352273415977692012-01-12T16:48:10.200+00:002012-01-12T16:48:10.200+00:00I'd like to know how they quilt the same motif...I'd like to know how they quilt the same motif (i.e. feathers) in different directions (i.e across the quilt and up the quilt, if that makes sense!) and get them so even...Archie The Wonder Doghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16348256617269963755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513356584940430771.post-48682045117480372422012-01-12T16:44:20.782+00:002012-01-12T16:44:20.782+00:00These posts are great! I used to hand piece and qu...These posts are great! I used to hand piece and quilt but transitioned to the machine years ago. A couple of years ago I purchased the Bernina 440QE thinking that the included stitch regulator accessory would allow me to FMQ with the even stitches more characteristic of LAQ's. The results, after much practice, were ok. I, then, purchased a Juki 2010TL. Larger 'throat' space, straight stitcher, super accurate 1/4".....wonderful machine (and much less $$$$). I have done all my quilting projects on that machine and love the results. The largest has been a 'large' double. No problems or wrinkles! A "t-shirt" quilt I finished a while back was going to be quite heavy so I did it as a QAYG and the results were very good. I desire the end product to be completely mine so haven't sent any out to a LAQ. Have looked at the New English Quilter set-up and would go that direction if I had house space! My location is the US. DoreenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513356584940430771.post-25121122380543229822012-01-12T16:39:17.111+00:002012-01-12T16:39:17.111+00:00I've had quilts long-armed - both all-over pan...I've had quilts long-armed - both all-over pantographs and custom quilting. Obviously the quality of custom quilting depends entirely on the operator, so make sure to choose your quilter carefully! Pantographs are cheaper and you know exactly what you're getting, so there are advantages to that as well. <br /><br />I only send them out if I need "special" quilting that I can't manage myself (which, admittedly, is anything beyond straight lines or stippling!) But I like the satisfaction of doing an entire a quilt myself, from start to finish, so I try to do it myself whenever possible. Good luck!Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18310325294852658619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6513356584940430771.post-26339437984734353812012-01-12T16:30:35.933+00:002012-01-12T16:30:35.933+00:00I have sent 9 quilts out in the past 2 years and h...I have sent 9 quilts out in the past 2 years and have quilted a few.<br />the long arm quilters have always done a better job. Some I have been ecstatic to see others, not so much. <br />most of my quilts have been for children (baby to queen size) and 7/9 have just been computerized pattern quilting. they were actually the best. just pick a dense pattern. I found the 3 different quilters on ebay and have paid about $75 including shipping and depending on size. it was well worth the money. turn around time is variable (extremely)<br /><br />Except for very small quilts I will be sending all to a long arm servicebabiesdochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17232072201997984722noreply@blogger.com