Computer quilting....how many have a computer assisted Long Arm
 

I have an Avante 18 and have been thinking about getting the Pro Stitcher, do you have one? Is it worth the expense?
I only quilt my own tops, but have a large family and do plenty of quilting.

I wish I had one!

I'm glad I don't have a computer on my LA! I take a lot of pride in my hand guided FMQ. To me it is art. When it is computer guided in my mind it ceases to be "art". The human element is removed and it becomes cookie cutter quilting like all the other digitized designs that look exactly like every other computer generated quilting done with the same design. There is no longer any uniqueness or individuality. Even a hand guided panto looks different because no one can perfectly stay on that line every time. But a computer can. That is JMHO. I know many feel differently and want the perfection and symmetry that can only be acheived by a computer guided set up.

Me, I would spend the 10 to 20K on other things and stick with guiding my machine myself. Every quilt makes me better at what I love to do. Why would I trade that for anything?

to me the ProStitcher is worth every penny!!! I also quilt my own tops for family and get tops from charities. The ProStitcher allows me to be creative and does the work while I'm making more tops. The computer screen allows you to see exactly where you are stitching and the adjustments you can make are amazing. Some of the charity tops I'm given are often "wonky" and on screen you skew the design to fit. I do a lot of machine embroidery and with ProStitcher I can do echo quilting perfectly.

Go to the Handiquilter site to watch the videos and webinar on ProStitcher. You will be reaching for your checkbook before the video ends.

I recently got a Qbot, still learning how to use it. It was a very simple set up. Since I'm still learning, I don't know yet what all can be done using Qbot. If you are on a slim budget you may want to check out Qbot.

feline fanatic, I totally understand what you are saying, but, I don't have any artistic ability when it comes to longarming. I have done pantos, get to nervous and uptight, I just can't get comfortable with my abilities. Some have a talent, I don't, and I'm OK with that.

Wow, I am so amazed by all the answers. I flip between wanting a long arm and sticking with my DSM. I was not even thinking about the computer guided ones although I know they exist. To me, they are something for the real pros, the people who make thier living quilting. Quilting has grown into a very expensive 'sport' from something that used to be a necessity. If you really want a computer guided system and have money to aford it, all the power to you. Go for it. You know what you like and need. I am still conquering my DSM but secretly, I dream of Baileys 17" with a Majestic frame. There are days when I think I lost my mind for wanting a mid/long arm, and there are days when I wish I had one. I wish I can make up my mind. You have the advantage, you know what you want. Now, do your research and get the best one you can, that you like the most and can afford. Good luck!

I also have the HQ18 Avante with the Pro-Stitcher. It is great. They have already updated the system so be sure you get the newest one. Yes they do the patterns for you but I also put in a lot of FM on it so it is a combination, I feel that takes a lot of planning and artistic work. Not every one of us can get those patterns almost the same each time and I want it to look at least halfway the same. I quilt mainly for myself and for Linus type things, have done a few for friends but am glad I spent the money. Even with the pro you have to take a lot of time practicing to understand the SW. If you have the funds, I would really go for it. Remember you will still have frustration when you first start but it does get better till you realize, Hey I can do this and it looks GOOD. HQ has lots of online, phone and DVD help.

I have a qbot. It came bundled with may machine, which I purchased used. If it had not come with the machine, I never would have purchased it because, like FelineFanatic I love the hand guided process, and trust me, I don't have any of FF's artistic ability!

Actually - I'd love to have one machine without computer (I too love the art of FMQ), however....eventually I want to quilt professionally and having another longarm WITH computer would be the ultimate ,heehee!!! but until I win the lotto, I can only dream:)

Google images of these pros none of them use a computer and they all make their living via quilting:
Karen McTavish
Green Fairy
Angela Walters
Mainely Quilts of love (http://quiltsoflove.blogspot.com/)

Or how about some of our very own QB pros
Charismah
Bobbielinks

My husband went to the Houston quilt show with me last year - it was his first show, and he got to see longarms. He saw a computerized one, and said "That's not quilting, that's manufacturing!"

I think it kind of depersonalizes the end result somewhat, although the end result often turns out much better than my hands could manage...

I have an HQ 16, but not the ProStitcher. Were funds available, it may be fun to try. But I also enjoy doing the FMQ. What fun!

Wow! There is still hope for me. I am not giving up on quilting on my DSM but I am saving for my Bailey. Never mind the computer, the quilters you mentioned are amazing. Something to strive for and practice, practice, PRACTICE!

I have a mid-arm and don't have the computer aid but wish I did. My grandson quilts beautifully on the machine, but I only quilt my own quilts.

I just got my pro-stitcher installed onto my HQ 16 today. I was at work while my husband was hooking it up so I haven't had a chance to play with it yet, hopefully tomorrow. I start working at noon to 4 or 5, so sometime before or after.

A friend of mine just won a ribbon for best computerized quilting - she doesnt even have a computer on her longarm. Some judge determined it was entered in the wrong category!

I am a computerized quilter and believe there is plenty of "art" and skill involved in doing computerized quilting. We have the Intelliquiter on our APQS Millenium. It takes "art" to select the right pattern to enhance NOT overpower the piecing or fabrics a client or myself have chosen. And it takes skill to use all the many possibilities Intelliquilter offers for modification and manipulation of designs. I spent 45 hours in private lessons with Suzanne Moreno learning about Intelliquilter and the creator Zoltan keeps coming up with even better features all the time with FREE updates. I like computerized quilting so much I am taking another 45 hour set of private lessons with her to learn digitizing so I can create my own designs. Karen McTavish has many digitized designs for sale for computerized quilting. Why must we always be tearing down someone else's style or method. I don't put down those who who hand quit, freehand longarm nor those who fmq. Creativity is creativity no matter how it comes about.

It is not easy to get those computer things perfect. It is a whole other skill set.

THAT being said--I bought a used HQ16 that does not even have a stitch regulator. I just wanted to do my own quilts and I do ALOT. I have done a few for close friends and they think they are beautiful.

If money were not an object, I would have a Avante with a computer. I would build a business. I believe is paying
cash for things so that is not happening.

I am so very grateful I could afford this used set up and have the room for it. I can get quilts done quickly and sent off to the charity of my choice. I LOVE not having to baste. So many people trade up as soon as a newer model comes out. You can find some good deals used for sure.

I have a TL 18 LS and just added the Quilt Magician to it a couple months ago. I love it! I bought Pro Q Designer software a couple weeks ago so that I can create my own designs and edit purchased ones.

I appreciate that some don't believe it is quilting. But do you think your great grandmother who only had needle and thread would say that stitching with a treadle OR electric sewing machine would not be "real" quilting? Progress ladies and gentlemen, progress. And also, just because one has a computerized system doesn't mean that one does not still do "true" FMQ.
:)

I have both. I use the computer-guided for customers who just want an allover or on quilts where the quilting just won't show up. If the quilting will enhance the piecing, I much prefer the freedom on using the hand-guided machine.

I went to the International Quilt Festival last year and got to talk with the winner of The Founders Award ($7,500 prize). Her name is Kathy Wylie, she is from Canada and does all of her AMAZING quilting on her DSM. She said she has no interest in purchasing a longarm because she loves quilting on her DSM. This is a link to a photo of her quilt: http://www.quilts.org/winners.html. A Google search may result in some closeups of her quilting.

I could not agree more....what I have said for YEARS!