of course I realize that is a hugely loaded ??. Do you work on multiples at same time? Once you start, do you become kind of OCD about finishing? As I've mentioned in a few of my posts I love the thrill of the finish line. Therefore, I do mostly easy stuff. I want to challenge myself to something more complicated but also dont want to get bored and have it sit for years (yep this *could* happen!! lol).. I generally like to do a quilt (if larger) over the period of several days, maybe a week. But again, my twin size quilts have been very easy, large block type projects. I'm doing a nautical quilt for my oldest son and using a Moda sailboat panel in middle with 5" blocks around it.... Should go fast, altho I'm not real inspired to work on it! Want to try a pinwheel or something with triangles, next...

Oh and VERY stupid long arm ?? not that I'll ever own, but..... I"m curious.... Are these programmed to stitch a certain pattern or do you still do all the design work (by moving the arm)? Again, sorry... have always wondered!! Thanks
Leigh

I have put together tops in one or two days; they were like your tops, large blocks, easy squares. Or they can take several days if I am practicing/learning a new design.

Handquilting is my time consumer. I do simple handquilting; straight lines, in-the-ditch, or just wandering. That could take as long as 3-4 months, depending on the size and mood I am in.

As far as your long arm question...I do not have one either, but my understanding is usually they can do both.

Many long arms come with computer programs, but they are very expensive. I ordered mine without a computer, one can be put on later if I so desire. Stitch regulators and computers definitely cut down on your learning curve, however even those take time to conquer.

Oh, in answer to your first question, I usually have more than one top going at a time. I swear I have ADD as I get bored easily on one and switch to working on another, depends on my mood!!! LOL! :lol:

Leigh- I never thought I would have a longarm either. Actually, what I have is a mid-arm Juki and a GMQ frame- but I'm working up to it...

The computerized doodad that does the stitching for you cost about 5K- My whole rig, including the machine was 2K. So, the answer to that is NO. I have the option of buying a laser light attachment for all over patterns, but I would still move the machine, following the paper pattern with my laser light. I prefer free-motion. I am not that experienced, I'm working on my fourth quilt, and this is the first one I've drawn a specific pattern on for some parts. The entire machine moves over the quilt- It's on a carriage that has wheels that go forward and backward and another set that go back and forth, so it's very easy to move around.

When you go to a local quilt show or store, see if they have one set up you can try- I warn you though- the dreaming starts then.

I have five going right now. 3 are being hand quilted and I have one I am doing applique blocks and one I am piecing. I can't tell you how long it takes because I work on so many at one time, to keep from getting bored with one, because it takes a while to hand quilt.

When I machine quilt, I can make several tops a week. But then...for handquilting, takes a couple of weeks to handstitch the pieces, then 1-2 months to handquilt. I don't work so it is easier for me to find time. I also have 3-4 projects going so I don't get bored. A few UFO's and lots of projects ready to be started. LOL Sounds like we all have this in common.

I'm glad to see i'm not alone....i can make the top pretty quickly
then when it's time to quilt it, i may leave it for a while and start another one. i did that last year and for some reason when i was "cleaning out" my fabrics i found three baby quilts i "forgot" to put together! Now i try to only have two going at a time. I like to machine quilt because of the speed. I don'y have the patience for hand quilting although i do hand sew my bindings with invisible thread so they look better.

Ages....

I am very new to quilting and it is slow going!

But I love it!!!!!!

Hugs

Caroline

I usually make very easy patterns. I cut one day, sew the top one day and do easy side to side freemotion quilting (on my Tin Lizzie 18) in a few hours. I bind all by machine, usually wide bindings as it hides a world of mistakes. I guess I'm a hacker but then my family and friends have all the home-made quilts they want to keep them warm. It keeps me happy and off the streets!

Ages, especially when I spend so much time on here.