Longarm Machine Quilting with APQS and Intelliquilter
Let's get your project finished!
Our Story
Linda Norton has been machine quilting since 2003 and offers piecing, digital edge to edge and custom quilting in east central Indiana on a 2022 APQS Freddie with Intelliquilter. All quilting done in smoke free and cat-free studio with a turnaround of less than two weeks for edge to edge.
Pricing varies based on the density and complexity of the design. See the PRICING page for more information.
WHAT IS DIGITAL QUILTING?
Digital longarm machine quilting is basically a computer connecting a big, fast, and heavy sewing machine to a frame using motors to tell the machine how to move. We use Intelliquilter, which is controlled by a tablet set up on the front of the machine that controls "X" and "Y" axis motors on the sewing machine carriage. Digital quilting is NOT done automatically! Alignments are done by a person who also advances the quilt and still has to pay attention to stitching.
With Intelliquilter you can expect smooth curves and sharp points and a very consistent look as the machine does the stitching without a person doing the driving.
EDGE TO EDGE: THE MOST POPULAR SERVICE
Edge to Edge quilting is the most popular longarm machine quilting service and includes one pattern or design over the entire quilt, with no special treatment for borders or blocks, using the same color of thread front and back. An overall design is a cohesive look that allows your piecing to be front and center. There are thousands of digital patterns from numerous sites, however not all patterns are going to work on every quilt! Some patterns can be difficult to align properly despite best efforts, and others might not work well for quilts with their own personality. If there’s a design you would like on your quilt, we can discuss it.
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DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
Edge To Edge Quilting: Select your design from my pattern library, or we can download something from a designer. If you are browsing patterns online, please write down the name of the pattern and designer, and where you found it. My system takes the .iqp file extension. Please do not purchase a pattern and bring it. I will not install anything I do not download myself. There are no exceptions to that policy!
Custom quilting is available as well.
See pricing page for more information
BACKING AND BATTING
BACKING: You need to bring me a backing that is at least 8” larger than your actual quilt. I need this much for the clamps on the side of the machine. Seamed backing should have selvedges on the top and bottom, but remove it when you do your middle seam. (Basically, use the selvedge as a seam guide, then trim it off after you stitch, then press.) If you need help with piecing your back let me know as I’m happy to teach you how to do it. If I prep your quilt backing, there will be an additional cost for sewing and pressing. If you have a seam in your backing, that seam will be loaded on the longarm so it is parallel to the poles to prevent sagging as it is rolled. This may impact the orientation of your quilting design. A note on sheets as backing…. If you want to use a 100% cotton sheet, you need to wash and dry it many times and limit the thread count to 180 or less. These are usually a different thread weight than your quilt top and sometimes stitches lay on them rather than sinking in. Please avoid polyester microfiber. (There’s a reason they’re so cheap!)
BATTING: You may provide your own batting. I stock both 108” White and 96” Natural Hobbs 80/20 batting on the roll, sold by the yard. I have been using this product for over 20 years and find it to be very consistent and it washes and wears nicely. If you want to provide your own batting, some products don’t work well with high speed quilting or may not do a great job enhancing your project. For example if you have a lot of seams or bumpy intersections, like in an eight pointed star, a very thin batting isn't going to help hide those bumps. Some packaged batts are very linty or have inconsistent thin spots. Thin and uneven batting means tension problems. I’m happy to talk about batting when we discuss your quilt. When using 100% cotton or other “natural” batting, be mindful of any stems or seeds. These typically are part of the batting and may be visible in the finished product. If you bring a packaged batting, do not open it in advance. Custom Quilting will require purchase of my batting.
MY EQUIPMENT
Quilting done on a 2022 APQS Freddie with Intelliquilter in a cat-free and smoke free home. The dog is too big to mess with my quilting.