Quilting has been a cumbersome process of moving all three layers through a stationary domestic sewing machine. A longarm machine moves the needle and sewing head instead of the fabric. The longarm has a large stitching area and rides on tracks so it can be moved forward, backward and side- to-side in any direction. A series of rollers are used to hold the lining, batting, and top fabric securely while the longarm freely moves. Once the exposed fabric surface is quilted (up to approximately 36 square feet per pass on our machine), all three fabric layers are advanced simultaneously revealing the next area to be quilted. The 14’ frame allows us to quilt almost any size quilt.

A “Computer Guided System” is a feature added to a longarm quilting machine that has hardware, a computer, and software which will guide the sewing head making it possible to precisely execute a wide variety of patterns from simple to intricate over and over again. Our computer guided system is the latest “Statler Stitcher™” by Gammill.  

The "Statler Stitcher™" is a two dimensional CAD machine with software and hardware designed to operate a quilting machine. The Statler, ours is named “Gertie”, can determine the pattern size, the size of the block, the stitches per inch, the repetitions of the pattern, and the offset of the pattern.

A computer guided system offers certain features:

-Patterns are precise in every stitch, and can be accurately and uniformly repeated. 

-Each pattern can be modified or customized to make each creation one-of-a-kind.

-Intricate patterns such as those that might be used for heirloom work can be stitched beautifully by an experienced professional longarm quilter.

-The computer can automatically resize or modify digitized designs to stretch or maintain proportions.

-Patterns can be rotated to fit any direction in the quilt.

-Designs can be positioned by the center, corners, start of pattern, etc.

-Designs can be tested first by “sewing” with the needle off and using a laser light to see exactly where the design will go.

-Drive Belts can easily be disconnected to still allow hand guiding when desired.

-New designs can be digitized and existing designs can be modified and be easily tested before use.

Types of quilting can include an overall edge-to-edge pattern on the whole quilt, an edge-to-edge pattern in the center of the quilt plus a border pattern(s) in the border(s) or custom quilting where patterns are placed in specific blocks, borders, sashing, etc. 

Edge-to-Edge patterns are frequently used when: 

-The quilt will be used heavily or washed frequently.

-Fabrics are so busy or so interesting that they are the main feature and it would be hard to see the quilting no matter what pattern and thread is used. 

-A special theme that may or may not be in the fabrics is desired.

-The quilter wants to draw less attention to the piecing.

Custom quilting:

-Allows for a different type of creativity (patterns can be matched to blocks or other specific shapes / places, names, sayings or other text can be part of the quilting, different thread colors can be used in specific places, etc.)

-Can highlight the piecing of the quilt (but can also draw more attention to less accurate piecing)

-Can use coordinating patterns in borders, blocks, etc.

-Is often (but not always) more densely quilted

-Usually gives more of the “heirloom” look

Considerations in selecting a pattern for the quilt:

-Any special interests like hunting, gardening, reading, etc.

-How will it be used

-Size of piecing

-Designs in fabric

-Is the piecing the "star" or will the quilting be the star of the quilt

Considerations for what type of batting should be used? 

-How will it be used

-Frequent washing

-Puffiness desired, soft vs stiff

-Natural fiber

-Color of top and backing 

 Any other questions you may have or questions about additional services, please call us  or email us