deema

For categories in a show, I can see them being separated. But quilting in general? To say it is cheating is absurd as saying that using a panel is cheating or that a mini isn't a "real" quilt or that using a sewing machine to piece instead of hand piecing is cheating, or using a rotary cutter instead of scissors.

If you look up the definition of "quilt" you'll find that it is two layers of fabric with batting in between, sewn together. How you sew it doesn't make it less of a quilt. Taking advantage of the technology offered in our current lives doesn't mean one is not a "real" quilter.

I get my panties all in a wad when someone says something like this. HOW you do it does not make a quilt a quilt. As long as it's done and you enjoy the process, it is not cheating.

Enchanted Quilter

To me the word "cheating" is a four letter word. Just think if we didn't have different styles of sewing what would we talk about on here. How would we learn how would our minds grow can't do it on spinach alone. Its not cheating its using all your God given talents by LEARNING & PRACTICE,PRACTICE,PRACTICE !!!!!!!!!!!!

fabric lover

I don't think it's 'cheating' it's just another way of doing it.
There are also quilters who think sewing patches on the machine instead of hand patching them, is cheating. I think it's simply the quilters choice.

pvquilter

I totally agree. Years ago when I started longarming, the computerized quilting was put in a separate category. Wish it still was. Not everyone can afford those expensive machines.

Deborah12687

I wouldn't say it is cheating it's just the modern age we live in.

knlsmith

Ditto

Shelley

I just added a computerized system to my longarm and I will be watching this thread with interest.

Here's where I see advantages to both my customers and to me.

1) My turnaround on edge-to-edge quilts will be much quicker. While the machine doesn't quilt any faster with the computer, it can continue to quilt when I'm tired. I can take a break AND continue to watch the quilting getting done. I don't like having to tell people that I'm several months out on my backlog. I'm hoping to get to a 4-6 week turnaround.

2) Instead of 30 panto choices (edge-to-edge) I now have hundreds to choose from. I recently had a baby quilt come in that had monkeys on it. I was able to do bananas as the quilting. It turned out really cute, and the customer was thrilled. There was lots of backtracking on the design which is not possible from the back of the machine.

3. I can now have more intricate designs, some of which were not possible to do for my customers economically.

4. For those quilts that are not absolutely perfect - and very few are - I can watch the quilt at the front of the machine instead of watching a laser dot on a piece of paper (the panto) as I quilt. I can catch flipped seams and help line seams up as the machine is running. If I ran out of thread before, I could quilt for a long time and not realize it. I now know instantly because I'm watching it. Same goes for unstitched seams - and yes, those do happen.

5. I'm able to add new services. Instead of just edge-to-edge and several levels of custom, I now have a couple of mid-range options. I can do an edge-to-edge with a separate border and borders and blocks.

6. My body will last a lot longer, keeping me in business for my customers longer. Quilting is very physical. I will get plenty of physical work doing custom level quilts, which have from some to no computer guided assistance. All stitch-in-the-ditch is still done by ruler and hand.

I quilt for others so that I can work with designs and colors that I might not choose, or have enough life to be able to make myself. I want to be able to enjoy my customers quilts as I help to get them finished. By working from the front of the quilt, I get to do that.

Cheating? I don't think so. It's definitely a different method and any judging should have it considered separately. But it's no different than hand embroidery vs machine embroidery and hand quilting vs machine quilting.

Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE MY JOB!!!

hobo2000

It takes time and know how to set up a machine to do comp.quilting. It actually much more know how than freehand. I do it both ways and comp.quilting is harder on me. It has to be planned to the exact size of the quilt. Borders are separate and hard to do. I think each one has its pros and cons and it comes out even as far as human input is concerned. The most important is what it adds, or sometimes detracts from the quilt. Maybe we should separate those with "stitch regulators" from those of us who learn how to do it on out own.

mytwopals

Cheating - NO! It's simply using an available tool to complete a job. It is no more cheating than using a sewing machine to piece a quilt. And it is very similar to using a stylus attached to a machine and following a template to create a quilt design.

As for quilts submitted for judging at a show, if the entire quilt is computerized, I could possibly see it being judged in a separate category. However, I believe most judged quilts containing computerized designs also contain freehand quilting elements. How would you then classify the quilt? Computerized or freehand?

And here comes the hardest part..... How can you tell, if the designs were stitched out by a computer or freehand? They are both stitched by the same machine. Identifying hand versus machine stitches is much easier. They look totally different.

Just my 2 cents worth.

cowpie2

How can sewing be cheating? There are many different ways to make and quilt a quilt, each way is unique and acceptable.