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Answers
How
hard is it to learn to use the Longarm machine? (back
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Can you use a mouse to navigate
through a computer screen? Then you can do this! All it takes is
the computer skills you use to read and send e-mail. You don't even
have to know how to piece a quilt. Whole pieces of cloth quilted
with one of our gorgeous all-over-patterns is wonderful.
What
type of longarm machines do you have? (back
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We currently have three 14' Gammill
Optimum machines all equipted with the Statler Stitcher Creative
Studio v3.0 software. Two of our machines have the hydrolic lift
option and we have the optional drafting chair on wheels.
What
type of thread do you use? (back
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We use primarily Perma Core which
is a poly-wound polyester that is strong enough to handle the speed
and heat generated by our machines during quilting. We also have
YLI nylon clear and smoke, and Signature & King Tut variegate
threads.
Are you
open any evenings? (back to top)
Just like our sign says - we
are closed Mondays so we can clean our own homes. But any other
evening during the week or anytime on the weekends we are available
by appointment. Just call and check on availability. We love our
shop and do not mind being available when the desire to quilt hits
you.
How is
rental time measured? (back to
top)
Time is measured form when renter
starts loading on the machine or the renters reservation time whichever
is earlier and ends when the renter has taken their quilt off the
frame and has finished the clean-up of the machine area.
How
long does it take to quilt a quilt? (back
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This question is always tricky
to answer with our more information. what size of quilt, and how
are you going to quilt it and how dense is the pattern. If you are
quilting a queen size quilt and you are going to do an all-over
quilting, with a medium to light density pattern, it should take
between 3 to 4 hours to complete.
For
the 'Quilt For You' service, what do I need to do before I drop
off my quilt? (back to top)
Finish your quilt top completely.
We prefer well pressed seams, threads snipped and the top squared.
Bring backing and batting if you like, but we do have both for sale
at the shop. Do not attach the three layers together with pins or
basting. The quilting process will do that for you. Check out the
web site for ideas on how you would like your project quilted.
I
found a pattern I would like to use that you don't have, how can
I use it? (back to top)
If you find a pattern that you
would like to use that we do not have, let us know by phone or e-mail;
give us a week to get it in the shop; and, you can use it. We ask
that you pay for half of the pattern and we will pay the other half.
Most patterns run $5 to $25. Some designers will allow us to download
designs; others mail CD's or send an e-mail.
What
thread colors do you have available? (back
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We have a large variety of thread
colors. We recommend that you stop by, maybe a week before your
rental time with your quilt top and back, and audition threads on
your quilt. If you cannot find a match among our inventory, we have
a color chart of all available colors and we will get the color
you want for you the shop. Please give us a week to get it in the
shop for you.
Here are
some tips that will make your quilting experience better. (back
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- Extend your sides. Some longarm
quilters recommend that you baste a 2"-4" strip of
muslin to the outer border on all four sides. This gives you
extra flexibility when choosing quilting designs and it stabilizes
the quilt when doing the borders. When you attach the muslin,
press the seam allowance to the outside.
- Pieced tops will grow. Make sure
the backing is larger than the quilt top (quilt top + muslin
strips) by 2-3 inches in every direction. This means a total
of 4-6 inches extra in length and in width. When the backing
is on the machine, space is taken up when it is attached to
the zippers at the top and bottom, and when it is clamped at
the sides. Since a pieced quilt top will stretch more than an
one piece backing, you will be able to absorb the difference.
- Measure where? Borders seem to
cause more problems than any part of the quilt top. When attaching
borders (or the muslin strips), make sure to measure the quilt
in the center, not at the edges. Use that measurement for the
borders. Mark the quilt edges and the border pieces in fourths.
Match, pin and stitch. If necessary, ease in any extra fabric
between these points.
- Reinforce it. The muslin strips
reinforce the quilt borders, which makes quilting easier. If
you don't attach the strips, stay-stitch around the entire perimeter
of the quilt.
- Square up. If you have made contoured
corners, baste a piece of muslin across the contoured edge to
make it square. The quilt will not be stretched properly if
it is not square. Hint for scalloped edges: Don't cut the scallops
until the quilt is quilted. Mark the cutting line clearly so
you know where to quilt, but don't cut it until you are ready
to apply the binding.
- Selvage be gone. If you need
to piece the quilt backing, trim off the selvage edges first,
and make ½" seam allowances. Press the seam allowances
open.
- Press-it good. Especially the
seam allowances. Avoid seam twisting and try to press seams
in the direction that causes the least bulk. Not all patterns
give directions for this, so you might need to break the rule
"Press seams to the darker fabric". If you must press
seam allowance to the lighter fabric and the darker fabric casts
a shadow that is noticeable on the right side, trim the seam
allowance of the darker fabric back just a tad (~1/16").
- Embellish later. Buttons, bows
and beads must wait until after the quilting is complete. Then
feel free to go wild.
-
Short sheet your quilt.
Save yourself the frustration of bad tension & broken
threads. Sheets are too tightly woven and have a higher thread
count than quilting fabric. They don't make good backings.
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