No I’m not switching from being a hand quilter to a machine quilter – but I had a fun experience today of trying out a AQS Millennium Long Arm (I hope I have that name right). EDITED: it is a APQS Millennium Long Arm 8:27PM CJ from “From My Studio – Created by CJ” lives about 15 miles from me and invited me over to play 
We have been following each others blogs for sometime now and finally met about a month ago and get along well.
This is the APQS Millennium - CJ loaded a"sandwich" to practice on. I had never tried one out and it was fun seeing how it works. It is always nice to know how other quilters do things - especially when it is totally different than your own. I was almost afraid to touch it at first! I didn't want to break anything LOL
I believe she called these sheets of yellow - "pattern boards" -but I could be wrong on that - correct me if I am wrong CJ. You lay them out on the backside of the set up and follow with the laser dot. I know I am not explaining all this right I bet! LOL (EDITED: the yellow pattern boards you follow with a stylus not the laser) 8:27PM
This is a "pantograph" a drawing - you follow the lines with the laser dot - believe me this is not as easy it is sounds. I gave it a whirl and my design was way off! I can see it takes a lot of practice to get it right.
I came away from this with a new understanding of machine quilting. Hand quilting and machine quilting are very different indeed – both take time and patience and both create beautiful quilts.
CJ is starting up her long arm machine business for the public and if you click on the link at the top of this post it will take you to her blog – on her side bar you will find the link to her brochure that list her prices. I saw her quilting up close and personal and I recommend her to others who want their quilts machine quilted. She does a really good job – I have seen some other machine quilting locally that I would not recommend and would never ever refer people to use. She does a really professional job and uses really nice thread, batting (quilters dream mainly) and nice fabric for the backings or you can supply your own I believe.
{ 6 comments }
You mean there are no pictures of your quilting? I tried to follow a laser one time. You’re right, it does take practice. But . . . wasn’t it fun?
.-= Vivian´s last blog ..Cruise News =-.
Karen, I’m so glad you stopped by, it was fun! And wow, thanks for the recommendation!
Just 2 corrections
. It’s an APQS… and the yellow boards get followed with a stylus, the pantographs (those are the paper rolls) get followed with the laser light.
One day I’ll have to come over and see your hand quilting frame! It is so cool that there are so many different ways to accomplish the same goal… beautiful quilts! A perfect fit for every quilter, gotta love that!
.-= CJ´s last blog ..You can quilt that out! =-.
One day I plan on sending C.J. a quilt. I need to finish one first. LOL!!
I love your hand quilting too. What kind of frame do you use and is it collapsable?
.-= Yvette´s last blog ..I Still Hate Y-Seams! =-.
Looks like you girls had a good time. I took a long arm class on a Tin Lizzy about 6 weeks ago. It definitely takes practice. Not as easy as it looks.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Browsing through the Garden =-.
Hi Karen: well it certainly helped my mind regarding this craft. I just thought about doing one of my quilts on long arm. The price here in Canada was $450.00 (plus taxes) and that did not include the batting, I would purchase that.
the whole quilt top didn’t cost me $50.00 so I’m just having it basted.
It’s the shipping that costs us internationally from Canada to the Us, otherwise, she’d be receiving a parcel from me!
Another one of your excellent photo/tutorials again.
Thanks.
I may be testing out one those long arms soon. I asked the owner at a local LQS if they did quilting for customers. She said since it’s just a mini, I could come in when they don’t have one of their quilts loaded and I can practice than do it myself for nothing….I’ve VERY nervous LOL.
Crispy
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