Longarm Quilter wants to learn how to use stencils and rulers
 

Good morning everyone ! I am fairly new to the longarm world and I am learning my freehand ability is not what I wish for. Any suggestions from any of you and how to get started learning to use rulers or stencils to fill in areas and the best place to find them??? I sure appreciate any help ! Thank you !

Welcome from Minnesota and happy quilting :)
sorry, no special advice

Welcome from NE Ohio.

Thank you Thumbelina from Texas !

Hi from Ohio. Sorry I can't help with your question/problem because I use pantographs.

:) welcome from se TX -- sorry, I handquilt

I find just quilting more quilts helps you tend to get better with every one. I try to use a different design every time.

Hello and welcome from northern California!

I highly recommend that you purchase the Longarm Academy videos from Handi Quilter. They are full of everything that you need to know using templates, stencils, marking tools, groovy boards, pantographs. Its like having a teacher right along side you!

I understand completely about not being able to freehand what is in my mind. My allover flowers, leaves, hearts, and dragonflies aren't too bad. I've even done feathers and free-hand fans -- although I don't want anyone looking too close. Two summers ago I attempted to do continuous curves -- that curve from the intersection of the pieces out to 1/4" and then back to the next intersection -- and knew I had to rip it all out. Even my husband agreed and he is less critical than I am of my quilting. At that point, I knew that pulling out the templates even though I had never used them was going to be better -- and it was. But boy does it slow me down.

I don't own a long arm, but rent time in one of two different locations. One of the shops I think offers classes in the use of templates, although I have only taken the orientation class so I could rent the machine. I've bought templates at quilt shows -- Machine Quilters Showcase primarily, but I've seen them at other big shows -- typically anywhere where you can buy a long arm.

As for on-line resources, the two that come to mind first are Quilters Rule at http://quiltersrule.com/ and The Gadget Girls at http://www.thegadgetgirls.com/

As for how to use them, my "education" was watching the demonstrations at the shows, then coming home and drawing on paper with them. I've never looked for any videos, but I'm sure there are DVDs available and possibly even videos on YouTube.... I guess now I need to go look.

Good luck.

Don't have advice, but do welcome you from napa valley, California in the heart of wine country!

Welcome from Michigan!:)

What machine do you have? Do you have an extended base on it to enable you to use rulers?

I trace stencils with a chaco liner and just go for it!

Hi and Welcome from Connecticut :)

Gadget Girls.com is a great place to get all things related to LAQ. Golden Threads Quilting.com has Great Pantos!

It takes More practice than you can imagine to get proficient at FHQ.

Remember it is an education you are getting and it is a big investment in time and energy and money but well worht it. It will seem like you will never get it and then all of a sudden yes, you are. You have to relax and just enjoy doing it. Don't worry about what it looks like. Being discouraged can stop you in your tracks.

Ballarinas weren't perfect the frist time they danced, olympic divers, artists in every medium, doctors, chiefs, All started where you are now. the begining!

There is a world of tutorials out there. Take time to learn from them.
peace

Hello and welcome from Minnesota! :)

Welcome from Texas!

There are several yahoo groups associated with LA and they always have lots of resources, advice & info. One group is "home quilting systems", and there are other groups named by machine brand such as "Tin Lizzie", etc.

Take a look-you'll find lots of help there

Welcome from Texas! I am not a LAQ but my friend is. She says lots of practice makes the difference! Good luck.