As quilters, all of us have tools to help us in our craft. These tools are tangible (machine, rulers, cutters, etc.) as well as the intangible (skill, knowledge, etc.)
Last week I added a really BIG tool to my toolbox. I’m a bundle of emotions with this addition – excited, nervous, a bit apprehensive, and a whole lot ‘I hope I can do this.’
That’s right….Freddie got an upgrade! I have added the HQ ProStitcher to my machine. For those who aren’t familiar with the ProStitcher, it is HandiQuilter’s version of computerized quilting.
The decision to add robotics is one I didn’t make lightly. I have really struggled with that decision for a while now. On one hand, I love free motion quilting, ruler work, and adding custom designs to my customer’s quilt tops. No two are alike, they are truly original. Some quilts really push me creatively and I love that.
On the other hand, many of my customers really just want an edge to edge design. They don’t want to pay for custom quilting, or they are on deadline and don’t have the time it takes for me to do my thing. I have several E2E designs I can freehand, but not as many as I’d like. So their choices are limited.
Then there is the whole “if a computer does the stitching then I must be cheating” issue that I struggle with. For a while I felt like adding the computer would somehow make me less of a quilter. Weird I know, but that’s just me.
But one day a very wise person commented that most times my customers don’t care whether I’m physically driving my machine or a computer is running my machine. They just want their quilts done. And if I can offer more options in less time by using digital E2E patterns, in the end they will be happier. That conversation was the beginning of a shift in the way I looked at computerized quilting.
So after much discussion with hubby and a lot of waffling back and forth in my head I finally decided to take the plunge. I ordered the ProStitcher last fall during Market and it has been sitting in my house patiently waiting to be installed. Even after having made the decision to go for it and buying it, I was hesitant to hook it up. I waited until I finished all my Christmas obligations before allowing Tim (the LQS tech guy) to do his thing. So it was installed last week and Freddie is ready to go digital!
After an hour or so of training Tim left and I was on my own. I shut everything down and walked away because my brain was on overload from so much info. But the next day I loaded up a test quilt (thanks Mom!) and quilted my first digital edge to edge design.
It took me most of the day to do and in the back of my mind I kept thinking “I could’ve had a freehand design finished by now”. But there’s a learning curve and that’s why it took me as long as it did. I had to keep reminding myself of that! I ended up being pretty happy with my first project.
Look at the great texture that shows so well on the back:
I can definitely see how adding this tool will save me time and help me finish quilts faster than I do now. But I wanted the computer for more than just E2E designs. I want to use it to enhance the custom quilting that I do. I can already see how much it will help me in that area, and I’m excited to start working with it in that way and share that with you.
Now you see why my quilty toolbox has gotten so big! I can’t wait to discover everything the ProStitcher is capable of. I know it’s going to allow me to do even more fabulous custom designs and you know I’ll be sharing them with you here!
So that’s my crush for this week, now it’s time to hear about yours! What has you excited to be in your quilting space? I’d love to see what you are working on. You can link any blog post, Instagram or Flickr pic – here’s how:
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I think any tool that helps take strain/toll off your body is a necessity. It’s not like you’re cheating at all … you are the one operating the computer, the long arm — everything — that helps you bring your client’s work to its completion. I’m sure your clients will thank you for the investment in your equipment and your knowledge.
Yea! I love my robotics on my Nolting. I didn’t have the patience or skill with rulers or hand guided e2e. But I do have the skill and patience to run my long arm via the robotics. It’s a lot of fun. Keep an eye on the various design sites for sales and freebies. Enjoy learning all about your robotics.
I think its wonderful that you have another tool at your disposal. Its still very creative. For many people it would be totally daunting, so there is great skill involved and you are taking the time to develop your knowledge. The first result looks just beautiful. All the best with your journey and additional tool.
Ah perfection!
Congratulations on your new tool! I understand that full brain. I just had my first long arm lesson and totally sold on wanting to buy one–though I will have to rent for the time being. That’s okay though, because it will build my confidence. During my lesson at my LQS, I saw the Pro Stitcher in action. I don’t even have a long arm and I had the same self doubt about cheating. I love designing and pieing quilts, but the quilting makes me most impatient. And like you said, most of your customers just want their quilts finished!
Beth, I totally understand the struggle you had, as I had similar thoughts! And there is a learning curve. And I have watched the HQ videos many, many times! LOL And while I absolutely love using rulers and free motion stitching, I love my ProStitcher dearly!! There are some great pattern designers and I would be glad to share with you if you are interested! Great job on your first project! Yes, it takes a little time, but soon, you’ll have it nailed and be finishing those quilts up very quickly! Congratulations on your purchase and finally getting the timing right to install!!
There are so many ways to be creative and to serve your customers. People want/need different things for different reasons – expanding your tool box and thus your offerings to your customers makes great sense. Good luck with this Beth!
Congratulations for not just taking the leap and purchasing but getting the ProStitcher installed, Beth. I hope that your learning curve is quick and that you have a lot of joy, freedom, and fun using your new tool!
once you get used to it you will probably love it and you can shut it off to do custom work that you enjoy – it is just a way to get the customer quilts done right – you might have some “me” time left in your daily schedule now
You will love this upgrade. I believe bed quilts need to get on the bed and used and longarm quilting makes it happen for us. I love using the statler on the gamill that I rent – lets me choose whether I want the pattern to be dense or loose (not 5.5 repeats but 4 or 5 or 6). I love the Anita Schakelfor modern one that is like waves – so fast!! Since I only rent, I haven’t learned how to do blocks or borders, but I sure would! I think you will love it once you get the basics all figure out!
Wow, look at you! Love that first result. Aren’t you lucky to have a mama who can give you a top on which to practise! I totally get all your misgivings prior to purchasing. Will be watching to see where you and Freddie go!
I can’t think of a downside to your new toolbox addition! Hand-guided quilting is extremely hard on a body, so in addition to all these benefits, your body will thank you for it! Enjoy!!! (I want to computerize mine one day . . .)
And what a crush it is! Beth, this is stupendous. I can only imagine the wonders you will make with this machine. Happy Stitching to you!
Beth, CONGRATULATIONS!!! This is going to be so awesome for your business AND it’s going to help kick your quilting up to the next level. Several reasons: The end result is more important to the client than how you got there, and there are certain amazing digital edge to edge designs that would be impossible to replicate via hand guided quilting, like the ones that look like soap bubbles with perfect circles all over (great for baby quilts). With a computer quilting all of those bubbles rather than you painstakingly quilting them with different sized acrylic circle templates, that’s an adorable and affordable design option for baby quilts, etc. Also, when you let the computer quilt those monotonous E2E designs, you are reducing the stress on your body so you can continue to enjoy quilting for many years, and you are freeing yourself up to work on other things while supervising the computer quilting, like phone calls, email, or paperwork. And I think that the hybrid quilting incorporating some computerized work complemented with freehand and ruler work gives a quilter like you unlimited creative options — if you can imagine it, you can quilt it NOW, without having to spend 100+ hours perfecting that new motif before you can put it on a real quilt! I’ve been looking at longarm robotics since before I purchased my machine, and the only reason I haven’t purchased iQ for my Millie is that I’m not running a business and the cost is difficult to justify for a hobby. I also didn’t want to cripple myself by starting out with a computer and never developing hand guided skills at all, which is why I signed up for EVERY SINGLE LONGARM CLASS at Spring Paducah (can’t WAIT!!). But I have not totally ruled out adding robotics, once I feel more confident with my machine and have explored the limits of what I can do with it freehand. CONGRATULATIONS, you tech-savvy quilter, you!
Congratulations on your super fun super cool new toy! ENjoy!
It’s obvious, Beth, that you have given long, serious thought to this upgrade, so I think it’s great. Not only are you giving your customers more options, you are giving yourself more options. You may find it really helps you as you work on your own quilts too, since you have the options available to you as far as how you finish your quilts. So, can you do other stuff while Freddy is doing the quilting, or do you have to stay with him? If you need more test quilts, I could send you some! Haha!
Congratulations! That is a big investment for sure, but will allow you to do more.
That was a big decision for sure. As long as the customer is happy, in the end that’s all that should really matter. Have fun learning and playing with your new tool.
Hi Beth! I can totally understand the waffling, and your arguments are valid. My only comment to add is that you don’t have to use the computer all the time, do you? Can’t you enjoy all the benefits of the computer, yet still choose to ‘do it yourself’ as well? While the computer may be stitching, or guiding the needle, you still are involved. It doesn’t load itself, or fill the bobbin or even choose the best pattern for the quilt. Your experience and skills are still utilized, but in a different way. It’s like you’ve received a promotion. You are overseeing the computer and at times you have to jump in to assist because you still have the skills to do so. That’s my two cents – AND I can’t wait to read about this whole new fun process. ~smile~ Roseanne
P.S. Who cares what the quilt police think anyway?! Do your thing!
Different strokes for different folks, so it’s wise to increase your working tool box to accommodate. Even if you use the computer, I’m sure many customers depend upon you to figure out what type of motif would best work for the quilt. That takes some skill and inspiration. The computer is just the tool to help you execute your vision. Enjoy!