Originally Posted by
Kwiltr
While Longarm machines can make certain elements of the quilting easier, there are more ways than one to skin a cat! In other words, don’t let your tools totally limit your imagination, because there is amazing quilting happening out there that was not done on a Longarm.
Totally agree with this.
Also want to add that personal preferences for machine quilting designs can change, just as personal preferences for fabrics and patterns can change. Years ago I wanted to make very traditional quilts, utilizing small pieces, in mostly dark colors with machine quilted motifs. Now I prefer making modern quilts that have larger individual pieces featuring fabrics in bright colors, with easy "organic" quilting lines.
I was fortunate to be able to buy a used longarm several years ago. Once I tried a longarm at a quilt show, I knew that I preferred frame quilting to FMQ on a sitdown machine. However, now that I have had a chance to try out various techniques on my longarm, I have realized that what I enjoy most is (1) easy quilting lines, and (2) the speed with which I can quilt. What I enjoy least is (1) ruler work and (2) FMQ of feathers and other motifs that require precision. I can still do a *lot* of different quilting designs using wavy lines, meander, loop-de-loop, McTavishing, etc. Some day I hope also to explore walking foot quilting on a sitdown machine.
Over time I have learned that quilting design is open to personal exploration, just as every other aspect of quilting is. That's part of the fun -- the challenge of working with what you have.