5:43AM
Computerized Quilting, yay or nay?
Saturday, August 6, 2011 at 5:43AM I’m just curious… to all of you that send your quilt tops out to be quilted by a longarmer, how important to you is it that your longarmer has a computerized setup… or not at all?
Do you prefer the perfection that only a computer can do, or the character that only comes via a hand guided machine?
Do you like the super intricate designs that can be done on a computerized setup? Some of the pantograph’s available via computers are amazing… and while I have to meet a panto I couldn’t do, I have seen some computerized patterns that I am certain no human hand could follow well!
Reader Comments (17)
Great question! I quilt my own on a domestic machine but I am very attracted to the long arm machines. Not the kind of feedback you are looking for I know but I will be interested in the answers.
CJ
I think both have thier place. I am not a longarmer but surprised there is not a program to design pantos like there is with EQ to desing quilts. As I am not a longarmer there may be one n I just haven't heard of it, but if not there should be !
Have a long arm but don't have computerized quilting, yet. Saving to buy IQ. Everyday sort of quilts are okay with pantos but for those special quilts, can't beat the perfection of using a computer.
I am also have a longarm....no computer.....from what I see in my area, they are the way to go. I have to say with practice, your quilting can get to the point where it looks like it was done with a computer.....I've been accused of having a computer when I don't. I have also seen some commputer generated quilts that I would be embarrassed to show.....the computer on the longarm is just a tool, the operator still needs to have the skills and knowledge to produce a great looking quilt. I'm still on the fence as to whether I will ever put a computer on my machine,
My quilts always have a few imperfectons. I don't mind if the quilting isn't perfect. I use a babylock professional quilter to quilt mine freemotion. I do love the look of some of the pantographs and computerized sounds great. I think good quilting can make a bad quilt look good. I love your quilts!
Personally I like the look of a custom quilted quilt. Some quilts are to be used more often then an all over quilted pattern is good. An all over quilted pattern can be hand or computer, I like both.
Ali
I think if you really want to do some interesting and have loads of money to spend, a computerized longarm is fine. But then I've seen a lot of longarmers do just the same freehand. Personally, I like pantos and those that do freehand, customized work are my idols! I once visited a shop that did computerized longarming. She had a king sized quilt on the machine and was ripping teeny, tiny, intricate stitches all the way across and about 12 inches wide because she and/or the computer had done something wrong! I don't think I would ever want to be in a pickle like that - lol!
Cheers!
I have an HQ16 with a PC Quilter sidemount and it's far from perfect!!!! I think the heavier machines and frames would probably give closer to perfect results (some vibration with the HQ that causes stitches to not always be perfect!). I couldn't follow a pantograph to save my life and my freehand was limited because I didn't feel comfortable with doing much more than stipple, some loops and stars. I love my PC Quilter and wouldn't give it up. I quilt 95% for myself and my local Quilts of Valor group but the few times I have quilted for money the ladies I quilted for were thrilled with all the designs they could pick from. I think it's a great tool for me!!!! Although it does quilt slower than I do!!!! lol
I once heard Anita Shackleford say that as a judge she can find where the computer quilting does not line up perfectly. She even has one that her daughter uses.
In other words, nothing is perfect.
All that matters to me is that they have the pattern that I want and that they can do what I want. Can you do one pattern for the block and another for the borders? Can you do custom stuff?
It doesn't matter to me that stitches are inconsistent...however, it would matter if there were large areas that were quilted with large stitches.
I would almost think that you would pay more for non computerized stitching. What do you think?
As long as the quilting is done well I don't think it matters which you use. Your own personal designs should cost more. I love the computer designs that are available. I don't have the control to do freehand designs.
It depends on the quilt, but I do not mind the computer designs. If you can afford the software and the equipment, I say go for it. It gives the customer more options, and you of course!!
Part of the attraction of a hand craft item is the individuality of the item. To me computerized work seems too similar to mass produced items, but I also prefer custom quilting to pantograms since I prefer to show off the piecing instead of the quilting.
That's an interesting question! I quilt all of my own quilts, but if I was having someone else do it I think I'd be okay with a computer.
I like some of the Computerized Quilting Designs but they don't make the quilt for me. One could use the CQD but without echo quilting or stippling around it, it's just ok in my opinion.
I have a couple of quilt in the hoop collections, two being Diane Gaudynski's designs. They are beautiful and pretty dense and somewhat pack down the batting with their stitching. In order not to have lots of empty "negative space" around them, I quilted around the designs and everything sort of got lost. Having a commercial machine, you would have the ability to have bigger designs to avoid this problem.
Nothing beats the signature look of a particular quilter for a special quilt. But I enjoy pretty all-over stitching for those quilts that are everyday, multi-pieced designs. It's difficult to see stitching on those anyway.
In my part of the world, people are more concerned about their pennies. Yes, they want something nice but most aren't prepared to pay OVER the TOP prices for (possible) OVER the TOP quilting.
As long as the quilt's well done and the price is reasonable they're happy.
In other words, it would NOT be worth our money to invest in this kind of machine.... Our 50 cents worth of opinion. s
Rosa
New Brunswick
Canada
I own a HandiQuilter with a Pro Stitcher and do both - free hand quilting and computerized quilting. With the Pro stitcher I can get more intricate designs but with free hand quilting I can echo and"doodle" and create my own designs. Someone mentioned a judge can see where a computerized quilt was not lined up precisely...that can happen with a regular hand guided panto as well. There are some great software programs out there such as Art and Stitch which allows the computer savvy quilter draw and create her own designs and pantos as well as background fills. Just like the hand quilting vs. machine quilting debate, computer quilting is evolving and soon it will be just a regular part of the quilting world!