How long for computerized quilting?
 

The LQS around the corner from my house rents out their computerized long arm for $20 an hour, but you have to take a $100something class first, and buy the kit to attach the fabric to the frame.

I am curious about how long it takes to do quilts. I am thinking I might like to do this if it only takes 2-3 hours for a quilt. I know it will vary depending on the intricacy and size, but I would like to hear your real life examples. And pictures are always awesome :)

I am not really familiar with computerized long arm but I have seen them stitch and its not any faster or slower than a human the only place you will save time is not taking breaks like we humans need. I would guess a crib sized quilt to take about 5-7 hours to do the quilting portion; this would be basic stitching/panto. Remember it takes almost an hour or more to load a quilt and that will count towards your hourly rate. I am sure someone here has a computerized machine that will give better info. Happy Stitching

I would look into the brand they're using. The Pfaff computer system is agonizingly slow. My cousin has it, and the shop that sells them demoed it for me, and I would go crazy waiting for it. I haven't tried any other systems, but I can say that I can quilt non-computer aided a lot faster, and I'm a slow LAer. Also, you'll still be advancing fabric and lining up the design and setting the X and Y points on it. It's not quite set it and forget it. It's not unusual to have to take a class to use the machines. They don't want damage to the machines or to be timing them all the time. A broken needle can throw the timing on a LA, and some of the machines are harder to time than others.

It really doesn't take that long to load a quilt, once you have some experience, and if you are using their kit for attaching the fabric most of the work can be done at home. (I assume that their kit uses zippers or Velcro so that you attach your quilt to the pieces you buy, then they add on quickly to the frame at the shop.) You should be able to easily complete a queen size quilt with a nice pantograph in 5 hours or less using the computerized system, assuming that someone is available to help you if you encounter a real problem. I think it sounds like a wonderful option. Much of the time that I spend longarming is figuring out what design to quilt next, since I do everything freehand or with rulers.

Before I bought my longarm, I took the class on the Handiquilter Avante & Prostitcher and was able to quilt a full size quilt in about 5 hours. Loading was a breeze because she had the "Red Snappers". Well, long story short, I purchased a used HQ 16 with Prostitcher and I love it. I also bought the "Red Snappers" and they make loading a quilt fast and easy. My suggestion to you is take the class. Then if you don't want to buy one, continue to rent the LQS machine.
Sandy

It should only take 1/2 hour to load a quilt crib size should take 15 minutes tops and thats even if you are pinning it on, a crib quilt should take no longer than an hour to quilt. I used to do it part time at a LA shop ...

What are. RED SNAPPERS. ?

Google is your friend. :) Red Snappers are a quick quilt loading system that works with any quilting frame that has leaders attached to the rollers. There are a couple of short videos on this site that will show you how they work.

http://quiltsonthecorner.3dcartstore...ers_ep_42.html

Red snappers are red plastic lengths that you snap the quilt back on with and takes the place of pinning to the leaders. I use these and they are great.

It won't take that long to put the quilt on the frame. It goes really quickly once you know. I suggest you bend the Red Snappers quite a bit before you need to use them. Maybe it is due to my arthritis, but I find it easier to put on the RS if I bend the free end toward the ceiling and then the end on the quilt goes on much easier. I have trouble just snapping them on.

I cannot use the RS end pieces but use 2 paint sticks in a ticking cover with a leader for each side and then use the side clamps on those. My side clamps are from the hardware store as the ones that came with my machine are too hard for me to use.

Also, out here some LQS will rent their machine by the 1/2 day or day for less than the hourly rate. Quite a few LAers use them to do the quilting on quilts that the are paid to finish.

I just did this last November. I pay $25.00 per hour, and also had to take "lessons" (quite a bit more than you paid).

Here is a picture of my first quilt. It took just over 2 hours (on a Gammill). It's 65 x 75. I hope you can see the circles that was computerized quilted. My second quilt was a 114 x 129 and it took 5 1/2 hours, just to give you an idea.

I love love doing my own Long Arm, and highly recommend it for anyone who is remotely interested. You will be hooked.

BTW, I asked for "hours" on the machine for Christmas, and received 8 hours! I can't wait to go back!!

Forgot to mention, the "kit" I had to purchase is the zipper and pins so that I can prepare the quilt at home that will be attached to the long arm, so I don't have to use "hours" on the machine, there, to do it.

Hope this helps.

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I'm really surprised that the rental shop doesn't have red snappers or leader grips already installed. It -almost- seems like a cash grab to force you to buy some other system that takes you longer to install... The leader grips (or Red Snappers) take no time at all, and are a one time install for them,.... just like a velcro or zipper system.

Both the LG and RS systems loosen up with time. The video from manquilter (Matt Sparrow) shows how to "Snap" them in a way that is a lot easier on my hands. http://manquilter.com/

Alikat, your side leaders sound similar to the ones that Sharon Schamber uses.

I do computer quilting here at home on my longarm, use redsnappers to load my tops, love them. It really depends on the size of my top to the design I am using to quilt. I have done one in a couple of hours and I also have had them take many hours. Taking their class will help you get an idea of the time involved setting up your design and stiching it out. Have fun!!!!!