Panel Introductions Every panel member is in the membership directory - - PDF document

Long-Arm Quilters:

Everything You Wanted to Know from Your Longarmer but Were Afraid to Ask.

PPT authored by Shelly Moore November 5, 2019

Panel Introductions

Every panel member is in the membership directory but here are some brief introductions. Here we go…

Terre Klipsch

Davenport, IA

Pieced 1st quilt in 1993, after which, she quickly learned she didn’t like piecing but did like longarming. Nolting

• Art quilter
• Portrait quilter
• Fabric painting
• Thread painter
• Custom / free-style

Heartland Longarm Quilters Association Member (Facebook)

Lydia Hoelle

Bettendorf, IA

Been quilting since 1986. Nolting 20 Pro

• Started with a Kenmore on a wooden Grace frame, then changed to a mid-arm then to current long-arm.

MVQG Webmaster Heartland Longarm Quilters Association Member (Facebook)

Connie Jurgs

Seajay Quilting

Quilting for hire since 2002 but began quilting with Grandma and Mom 46 years ago. ♥ Nolting 30 Pro with Intelliquilter robotic/computer system

• Custom / Pantographs
• Quilt binding (prepare, attach or finish)
• Basting for Hand Quilters
• T-Shirt Quilts (from start to finish)
• Memory Teddy Bears
• Memory Quilts

Heartland Longarm Quilters Association Member (Facebook)

Debbie Schladt

Rock Island, IL

Quilting for hire since 2012 APQS Millenium w/ Intelliquilter (robotic/computer system)

• Longarm quilting: E2E & Custom
• Binding / Basting
• 14’ Table

Sells custom seam rippers and other misc. items

MVQG Membership Heartland Longarm Quilters Association Member (Facebook)

Dorothy Towler

Has had longarm for about 5 years. Babylock

• Art Quilter
• Quilts for fun and for scrap busting!
• Enjoys charity work and donates mostly to a men’s shelter in Rock Island. ♥

Shelly Moore

Blue Grass, IA

Quilting for hire since 2017 Gammill Statler Stitcher: Computerized/Digital Quilting

• E-2-E (Edge-to-Edge)
• Custom
• Traditional to Modern
• Created and quilted quilting patterns

How many longarmers are in attendance? Don’t be shy, if you have a tidbit to share or a “Can I get an Amen!” to add as the presentation progresses, please do so. This panel is here to share longarming-related information and processes but are respectful that there are many talented professionals/longarmers in the industry.

Topics Before Q&A

Terre

Function of a quilt, is it…

• Art quilt?
• Show or heirloom quilt?
• Wall hanging?
• Couch or bed quilt?
• Baby quilt?
• Snuggled in?

Each example above may influence quilting choices provided by a longarmer. Sometimes a quilt merely needs quilting so it can be completed while other tops may call for specialized quilting.

Lydia

What’s the difference anyway?

• Free motion
• Ruler work (extended throat plate, rulers)
• Pantographs (Paper, digital)

Density – discuss this with the longarmer.

• Function, batting type, piecing - they all come into play here.

(Website) APQS: How much is too much? (Website) Quilting Digest: Straight Line Quilting Density

Debbie

Batting

• Read the manufacturer label. It will usually recommend spacing (how far apart quilting can be).

Connie

What should you do to prepare the quilt prior to sending it to a longarmer?

• How much backing and batting is needed and why?
• If possible, selvage edge horizontal (with machine).
• Clean threads – why?
• Example, using red and white fabric, red thread will show thru the white fabric as soon as it gets quilted.
• Check for “popped” / open seams.
• Press seams.

Collaborate

Shelly

Press seams open or to the side?

• While piecing, consider possible future quilting.
• One thing to consider when making your decision.
• SID vs stitch line next to the seam, e.g. think ruler work.
• We can talk more about SID function after/during the Q&A if time allows.

Backing & Pieced backings

• Give them some love! Use the same squaring-up procedures you use when prepping to use the fabric for the top.
• Centering a block on the back…let’s talk.
• 108” Wide Backing, seeing some fullness.

What does 122” mean to you?

• 12’ table can accommodate a proper king-size quilt top (which is generally around 110”) but the backing can be no

wider than 122” because the leaders are generally 122” wide.

• If the quilt top’s width is greater than 113”, then you’ll need a longarmer with at 14’ table to accommodate the larger
• backing. Again, it’s not because of the top but due to the backing size.

Pricing trend

• You may start seeing more pricing by the hour rather than by the square inch.

Question & Answer

Bring it on…

Additional Info If Time Allows…

Double Batting

There are pairings that work together better than others to provide definition. Research via a quilting class, batting websites, etc. Is there a right or wrong side to batting? Some say yes, some say no. However, depending on the type of batting, bearding may occur.

https://www.apqs.com/batting-has-an-up-and-down/ http://www.quiltersdreambatting.com/faqs/

Borders: may result in pleats and puckers. Fullness in top can result in a “bubble.” Longarmers can help top appear “flat” with denser quilting; however, excess fabric does not go away.

Short, mid, long arm

Short & mid - meant for operator to do free-motion quilting and sit. They may look like a larger version of a domestic sewing machine. Long – larger machine, deeper throat space, multi-function

• (free motion, E2E/pantographs, custom, ruler Work, etc.)

Different machines may dictate different types of quilting treatments that can be used

• (paper pantos vs digital, work from front vs back of machine, etc.)

For fun & giggles

Video Information

Song: You Can Quilt That Out Artist: Catherine Ann Miller Album: A Quilter's World Licensed to YouTube by: CD Baby; CD Baby Sync Publishing Video made by Mavis Rosbach, Quiltbird Studio, for "the Buzz on the Longarm Biz” class originally presented at the Georgia Quilt Show October, 2008. www.quiltbirdstudio.com www.singingquilter.com

THANKS

For letting us share information and we hope we answered some longarm (machine quilting) questions.

Connie, Debbie, Dorothy, Lydia, Shelly & Terre Longarmers & members of the MVQG & Heartland Longarm Quilters Association