JustAbitCrazy

All groovy boards I have seen are made of a white hard synthetic material, not wood. I think wooden boards would be heavier than the synthetic ones, and the grooves would probably wear with use, too, especially if a softer wood was used.

JustAbitCrazy

If you are looking for an easy pantograph, look for something with a fairly open pattern so if you go outside the lines you will not overlap another stitching line. Also look for a pattern which will look good if the shapes end up not consistent because you didn't follow the lines exactly: flowers are good, because they will look nice even if they are not all the same---avoid geometric repeats, which will glaringly show inconsistent sizes or shapes. Some beginning machine quilters have problems with points and avoid them at first, but I had no problem with them. One of my first pantographs was an easy holly leaf pattern with all those pointed edges on the holly leaves. The thing with points is you have to learn how long to linger at the point: too long, and you have a build-up of thread there--not long enough, and you have no point at all, but a squared off corner. When I come to a point, I think of a ping pong ball hitting a wall and bouncing off quickly, and that works for me. You said your flowers turned out aweful: it just takes practice, practice, practice. Try doing a dry run (or several) before you actually stitch, by just following the pantograph with the light until you feel comfortable stitching it well. I do that every time I start a panto, even if it's one I have done before. Also, you have to remember to look ahead of where your laser light is, so your motions are smooth. It's kind of like driving a car---you aren't looking at the pavement just ahead of your bumper. Always look ahead to the next curve, the next point, etc., and your stitching lines will flow smoothly. That's what makes it look good, not so much that you followed the line exactly.

Sheilz

Thankyou. Something I can visualise !

soccertxi

There are smaller pantographs for short arm systems. Be aware that as you quilt, your take up bar will eat up some of your quilt area. The bigger the quilt, the smaller the area as you get to the end. Some quilters will reload the quilt the other direction to finish a long quilt.

Digitech Patterns will print out your pantograph at the size you choose. It has default size (if you dont' choose a diff size) and a suggested size (that will tell you if you can go smaller or bigger. you still CAN pick them, but the design may be squashed too small or stretched too large). Becareful! I always want them ALL! lol

http://www.digitechpaper.com/default.asp

Pantos by Dave Hudson are usually a good bet for starting out. His have larger designs and not too much detail.
Practice will help you tackle the more detailed as you go. I would suggest getting a few 5 inch designs and practicing with them for a few quilts till you get a rhythm and some confidence. PM for me if you need a cheerleader! Been there, done that!

mcfay

I just came across this thread. I know it is very old but a couple were wanting to know what a panto was. I am posting a picture of one of mine on my table. This one is very easy and I use it alot.[ATTACH=CONFIG]521115[/ATTACH]

Farm Quilter

I don't like either of them, but I like to quilt from the front of my LA. The boards are faster to do then pantos because a stylist is in the groove, not following a line with a laser. You do need to reposition the boards more often so that takes up a bit of time. Board systems are expensive and the boards themselves are not cheap!

AudreyB

I agree with Otis. I like the groovy boards. They are expensive, but I find them a whole lot easier to use. I have 3boards of each pattern. Well, not every pattern, but quite a few. If the quilt is larger than that, I "leap frog" the front board to the back. My machine has an 18" throat, so those are the ones that I have.

I saw them for the first time at the Houston Quilt Show and instantly saw the solution to my longarm frustration. I struggled with the pantographs, watching the pattern and the quilt at the same time. I never got the hang of it. I got my groovy boards from QuiltEZ. I'm thinking they are available elsewhere, but they are the only one I know.

mcfay

I don't watch my quilt while I'm doing pantos, just glance up once in a while to make sure thread hasn't broken or ran out of bobbin. You don't have to perfectly trace the lines, they are mostly for guidelines. I can't quilt from the front of my machine. It don't have front handles, the on/off button and all the settings are at the back of machine. Maybe some day I can afford a true long arm