It was just an idea, as I didn't know whether you w/could do your own machine quilting.

When we had a longarmer visit our Guild she said it is helpful to her if customers have an idea or a vision of how they want their tops quilted instead of just saying "Do what you think is best."

Susie- Just wondering - what kind of quilting does she do? Panto, custom, etc. I have a local person, but am always looking for options!

How about the opportunity to rent time on an LA. There are many places that will do that after you take a class with them. I really enjoy using an LA but there is no way that I could afford to purchase one even second hand. I am lucky enough to be able to rent one. Pantographs range from simple to difficult and everything in between. It might be worth checking out, even if that just means trying it once.

I would ask around your guild and local area to see examples of her work - not just the work she's willing to show you. Solicit opinions of her work from other quilters. :thumbup:

also be aware that she may prefer specific threads because they work best tension-wise on her machine--most LA use threads that many piecers or hand quilters are not typically using.

Good luck!

Many long armers have handouts that they give to potential customers to answer some of their questions and to make sure that, when delivered, the top and back work with their machines. Some of your questions may well be answered that way or on their websites. I was most impressed to visit one long armer who had books and books of quilting patterns for me to choose one I liked for my quilt. She is about 1 1/2 hrs. away but was very happy to mail me the finished quilt after delivery. I once mailed to her, and before she started quilting, she sent me some .pdfs of some suggested pantographs. She didn't start quilting until we had agreed on one. Some long armers prefer to do only pantographs edge-to-edge; some prefer custom work. There are lots of details to figure out before beginning - it's great that you are thinking ahead!

I know you do a lot of fusible applique so you may want to ask them if they have any issues with it. Some do, some don't. Also I have seen a lot of amazing quilting done on DSM using walking foot and straight line quilting and there is no reason you can't do both hand and machine on any quilt. I used to do that a lot in my hand quilting days. I would hand quilt the fussy motifs that I knew I did not have the skill set to do on my DSM and then do straight line echo quilting with my machine. Like this one: https://www.quiltingboard.com/pictur...ar-t25770.html

So that is another option for you to consider.

When you use a longarm quilter, it’s easier for the quilter if you use a wide backing. If you are piecing your quilt back, then have your seams parallel to each other and ask the quilter how they would load it so you know which direction to have the seams run. If the quilt is loaded with seams parallel to the bars, you will have a constant and equal tension on the seams. If they are perpendicular, it’s not an even pull from the side clamps and sometimes the seam has difficult-to-manage “bat wings” from how it’s sewn together. You want to make it as easy on the longarmer as possible. Less problems = better result.

Thanks for all the answers. I am thinking we will get to town sometime in the next week or so to talk to the ladies at the shop.

Feline, your quilt is wonderful. You hand stitching is marvelous!