What's your opinion on ...

[brenmar]

long arm quilting? I've used someone to do that for me simply because the quilt was to big to attempt anything myself. However, I do find LAQ a little bit 'over the top'. Too dense? Too flowery? Too curly-whirly? That's a big step from what quilting was originally meant for - holding the layers together! Think I like the simple approach but, from what I see, that doesn't seem possible. How do you like you long arm quilting to look?

[Doloris]

Re: What's your opinion on ...

I like a simple pattern too. if you look in my albums you will see some of my quilts and how they are quilted. I have someone laq them.

[buckeyequilter]

Re: What's your opinion on ...

I like the simple patterns but not so simple that I can't have fun with the quilting. I am doing swirls on a quilt right now. I don't mind playing around and putting some feathers or flowers on a quilt. I also do not care for dense quilting. But I do believe that simple is best, unless it is a whole cloth quilt or solid fabric no one really sees the quilting.

[Madeforyouinma11]

Re: What's your opinion on ...

I don't send mine out, but agree on simple quilting. I don't like to have dense quilting either. It just seems to make the quilt harder to cuddle up in. I keep it simple.

[AuntieVic]

Re: What's your opinion on ...

I like the cuddle factor too, so most of mine are the simple meander which makes them huggable.

[Vonnie]

Re: What's your opinion on ...

I too, like the simple. I like for the quilting to enhance or not to interfere with the piecing.

I'm working on one now where I did simple cross stitching on the center panel and stitch in the ditch every where else. I have been practicing on doing something a little more intricate on the blocks but have realized that I'm just going to do free motion stitch in the ditch. The blocks are too busy for fancy. Now I'm thinking just cross stitching the borders. My fabric is very busy so the quilting will (thankrully!) not even be noticeable.

[sassygranny]

Re: What's your opinion on ...

LAQ doesn't have to be dense. Every professional will allow you to choose whatever you want. The less quilting, the less expensive it is. I have sent out just one quilt. It was done conservatively, and the result is a quilt that feels soft and homey. I LOVE the look of the heavy, dense quilting some long arm artists produce, but I'd never want that on a snuggle quilt.

[Sheena]

Re: What's your opinion on ...

LAQ looks very nice and neat, but somehow lacks 'personality'.

For my next quilt I'd like to try some big spaces (hearts?) and some denser meanandered areas. I'm hoping to get puffed out areas and flat areas and texture.

I try out my quilting ideas on a scrap piece first and then put it in the fire but in future I think I'll do the trial on a 'usable' piece of scrap and then incorporate them in a quilt of their own based on the scrappy string quilt idea inspired by Klasien's quilt.

[Pattycake]

Re: What's your opinion on ...

I enjoy doing LAQ, but believe the quilt and fabric should dictate the quilting design. I personally use very simple designs on quilts with large print fabric, scrappy quilts with many fabrics or lots of seams. I use denser designs where there are large open spaces or to echo or micro stipple to make applique or designs in the fabric pop. The only cuddle quilts I make are for grandchildren, and I use simple designs on them. I don't see the need of spending a lot of time quilting them as they will be drug an the floor and ground. The majority of quilts I make are for beds in our home, and I do much more quilting on them. I agree that a professional quilter should quilt a design you like. Many have pictures of quilting designs or quilts they have done.

[Cathy F]

Re: What's your opinion on ...

It depends on the quilt and the occasion/ or what it's going to be used for. I send all my quilts out as I don't like the sandwiching aspect of quilting I love making the tops. My daughter's wedding quilt was heavily quilted with heirloom designs but was not stiff at all. I have not found that to be the case with the gal I send them too. They are very soft and useable.

[yeeehawterri]

Re: What's your opinion on ...

I send my larger quilts out and always ask for "light" quilting. They are, IMHO, far more snuggly and warm.