From looking at the many gorgeous quilts pictured, i wondered about the actual quilting techniques. I know there are hand quilters and machine quilters but i wanted to ask if there are many who still machine quilt with just an average sewing machine? I have seen the long arm quilt machines and will probably never own one nor will i get the expensive computerized ones that quilt for you. I like working one on one with my plain sewing machine to creat the stitching. What are your thoughts on this?

It can be done. It's easier if your machine has a larger throat, but I did once see a king size that was being quilted on a regular machine. I think it's hard on the shoulders. Everyone finds their own system that works. If you start in the center and work out to the corners, you are dealing with a smaller area. I scrunch it up, rather than roll. I find it easier to control. I now have a Viking Sapphire, with a 9" throat. I've done a 60x80 without much problem. Eventually I'll get around to my queen sized quilt. I don't expect to have a problem. I'll just take my time.

I know several quilters in my area who use domestic machines and they do beautiful work. It is just a little different moving the quilt instead of the machine as longarm machines and some midarm machines do.

Check this website. She does all of her quilting on a Bernina and if I remember right, she told me it was an older one. I've seen her quilts up close and personal and they are absolutely beautiful. She teaches at several LQS in the area.
http://www.julieylambert.com/index.html
She really shows what can be done on a regular machine.

Awesome work. Not computerized either!

I have 2 machines I quilt on, a Husqvarna Viking, and a Singer Touch-Tronic. Both have small throat space, but I have done queen size on them!!!

Althought I have a Long Arm I still love quilting on my regular machine. I love making the small flowers the stippling. I just enjoy it. I am think of making a quilt and sm machine quilt each block as I go. I will keep the backing and batting larger than the front the sew them togeather later. I am still in the planning stage, but think it will be fun.

i say whatever you want to do you can ,just takes time and practice

I use my Juki domestic machine to quilt and have made up to a king without using a frame. It just takes patience and a lot of practice. I scrunch the quilt into the throat, I don't roll it and it seems to work fine for me. I find the quilting very relaxing.

I don't have a computerized machine, I like things simple. DH got me a mid-arm and frame for Christmas last year, but for simple straight line quilting I prefer my tabletop Janome.