Computerized and Freehand Quilting

Machine quilting has made some interesting transitions over the last few years -- most interestingly is the advent of computer-driven quilting, where some form of robot actually moves the sewing machine while it is stitching to generate the pattern. Effectively, this is taking over the old form of "free motion" quilting, where the quilting would mark the quilt ahead of time, use stencils, or use pantographs to quilt the quilt.

Advantages to Computerized Quilting:

  • Pre-design layout - the computer design system can very accurately layout a number of different possiblilities for a given quilt; when you incorporate a picture or diagram of the quilt as well, you get a very accurate idea of what the quilt will look like in final form.
  • Highly accurate - because the pattern is programmed into the computer, the design is very specifically sewn out.
  • Complexity - the robot can draw much more detailed motifs or designs than can be done by hand.

Disadvantages to Computerized Quilting:

  • Speed - the robot cannot move as fast as an individual driving the machine, so a single quilt takes longer to complete.
  • On-the-fly flexibility - once the program is complete, it is more difficult to modify the stitch-out without going back to the computer and redesigning.
  • Applique - for the moment (although this is changing over the next few months), it is difficult to execute the traditional "echo" quilting around applique motifs.
  • Small areas - sometimes, there are areas (in between appliques, for instance) that need to be filled in with some pattern. Without the exact dimensions of the applique in the computer, it is impossible to complete these areas.

This is why I have chosen to focus on computerized quilting for the large portions of the quilt, or quilts that can be sewn using pantographs and motifs. I also then go to freehand sewing to allow for adjustments, applique or echo areas, and work that may not be easily accomplished by the robot.

My goal is to give you the best quilting for your work, no matter the technique!