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I was very fortunate to be able to pay on a Baby Quilt . I wanted to work on grid designs the fabric in the light area was a white on white 1" grid so What better place to play. then the customer brought me another one so here are both of them together the same but different also.

Millie and I finally finished this queen size quilt for OUR bed! Completely free motion without the use of computers is how I work.....I've dubbed it "Flight Path" because of all those flying geese!!!! Sew happy!

It's been a while since I posted. Here are some customer quilts I had the privilege to work on. The Hawaiian quilt is one that I made for a guild program I came up with "Faux Hawaiian Quilts". Unfortunately I put a couple in twice and can't figure out how to delete from the post. If you go to my flickr account you can see a few more pics of customer quilts. I had removed most of my photos several months ago when I'd read that flickr had been taken over by someone else and we wouldn't "Own" our photos anymore. Well, I just uploaded to flickr a few of what I've quilted recently. Hope you enjoy the eye candy. Thankfully I'm a better quilter than photographer. this is a memory quilt I made for a friend from some of her mother's clothing https://www.flickr.com/photos/foreverdesigning/30522708758/in/dateposted-public/

Posting here for those not part of the facebook group. Not a really great picture - but it's finally done and gifted to my son for his move-in at school next month.Applique center pattern "Majesty" by Gina Reddin Designs, borders are created with 'curved braid' by Victoria Findlay Wolfe. Quilted on my Lenni with SoFine and Aurifil threads, Quilters Dream Wool Batting. All hand-guided - freehand faux McTavishing and some rulers. I've been pantograph quilting for almost 5 years and only started FMQ this year.This project stretched me in a LOT of ways - especially as it was for my youngest child as he leaves (1,000+miles) for college!

These were made by my reproduction customer. She just chose two blocks she liked for the wall hangings and put them together. She wanted her "Indigo in Baskets" customed. This was the first time I used a light thread in a feather wreath on a dark background. It took me forever because I wanted the backtracks to be spot on. (Most were!) Then when I decided to put feathers in the baskets, I used matching thread as it went way faster!. Her "Flocks and Baskets" was so busy we just used a pantograph to give it movement. So Fine and Bottom Line. She provided warm and natural batting. Indigo in Baskets by Libby G, on Flickr Indigo in Baskets (2) by Libby G, on Flickr Indigo in Baskets (3) by Libby G, on Flickr Flocks and Baskets (2) by Libby G, on Flickr

I had seen this book awhile ago and just thought oh... but then I happened to catch Natalia Bonner on a Sewing with Nancy show and they had this quilt on the show. I loved it. Year and 1/2 later ) maybe 2) I finally completed it. I quilted same as she had done. Always been afraid of woodgrain, but no longer. Put a bluish batik on the back. Pretty stinking happy. PS going to bind in same yellow.

My customer pieced this using scraps from her stash. She gave me a quilting design she found online. I'd give credit to the quilter, if I knew who designed it. The borders weren't showing so I used feathers and beadboard. She used a 1/4 inch inner border and asked me to keep it straight. Fortunately it was only a lap quilt. I used So Fine and Bottom Line, my favorite threads when custom quilting. And Hobbs 80/20. DeLoa Jones' boomerang really came in handy to circle around the dresden plates. dresden plate by Libby G, on Flickr dresden plate (2) by Libby G, on Flickr dresden plate (3) by Libby G, on Flickr

A couple close ups...

Update- finished. Can’t post pictures. Go to www.facebook.com/sweettsquilting. This is a customer quilt I am working on. It is twin sized. Carolina Lily is the pattern. Custom quilting all over. Black Omni, Pink Glide, and off white So Fine thread on top. Bobbin is white magenetic bobbins. Lots of marking and ruler/template work. I hope to have it finished by Wednesday

Completed this queen size quilt this week! Thanks for looking!

Our local quilt guild is hosting their 30th Annual Quilt show this weekend. I was asked if I would like to participate in a 'Bed Turning' event. My daughter and I will be doing a 'generational' display starting with a quilt my mother (her grandmother) made for me when I was about 5 or 6 years old. My mother was a seamstress and made all my clothes and this quilt was made from scraps of fabrics from blouses, dresses, skirts, etc.. that she had made for me. I used to love looking at it and remembering all those outfits. My daughter 'stole' this quilt from me when she moved out as it has special meaning to her as well. When she was little and staying over night at Grandma's, she got to use this quilt and even when it got too small for her (the quilt was designed for a youth bed so it was shorter than a regular twin) she would insist on that quilt! Now her children love the quilt and it's starting to fall apart but isn't that what quilts are for. To be loved and used... Following this quilt will be her first quilt, my first quilt done on my APQS - (this quilt top was completed in 1994 for my daughter and when I had finished piecing she didn't like navy and pink anymore so this top sat as a UFO until 2011). We will move on to various quilts we have both done and have significance to us. We will finish the bed turning with my Farmer's Wife Quilt which I just completed. My daughter had bought the book, I stole it from her... used the fabric she gave me for Christmas one year... so as you can see this is really a joint show for the two of us! Thanks for looking!

This was created by Mike. This is the third art quilt she has asked me to quilt. The last one won viewer's choice at our quilt show. She picked up this morning and was pleased. Now she gets to add the rest her magic to it. Yep, she said I could share! 20180802_133216 by Dell Dunman, on Flickr 20180802_133223 by Dell Dunman, on Flickr

This is what I have been working on. Had a HUGE bag of scrap fabric that was driving me nuts seeing it sit there. Organized it and cut into strips. The block is called Diamonds are Forever. I have all the blocks ready, just need to sew them all together

Let it go. If you quilted what was requested in the price range you quoted, then you did nothing wrong. (Lovely quilting, by the way) There could be a boatload of reasons that she has moved on to another quilter; the most likely being that she wants custom quilting for pantograph pricing. Your business plan should not include financing others hobbies. Do not underestimate or undervalue your worth or skills!

Been doing some small, simple stuff that I thought I'd share. This first one is a charity quilt kit that Beth got from an organization, to return for their distribution. I like the bold colors in it. It's been sitting around waaaaay too long, so I popped it onto Lucius to play a bit. I did a nice "falling leaves" pantograph in the center and then a free-hand cable-like pattern in the borders. Fun to just create a border! Now to finally send it back... Two years ago, right after getting Lucius, I did a panel baby quilt like this for a friend. Now another friend has just had twins, and I discovered that my resourceful wife had actually bought FOUR of these panels for her stash! So we pulled out two more of them and did contrasting backing and border flanges for the twins. I was also really sneaky and loaded both baby quilts onto Lucius at the same time! The panto is one that I created for that first quilt, so I lengthened it and just ran it all the way across both quilts. (Well, I had to adjust the laser between the quilts to keep the lions and elephants from being cut by the edges.) More fun. Keep stitching, everyone!

Memory Lane is a pattern by Deborah Borsos and Leslee Price. It was pieced for a grandaughter. She had 60 yoyos so she wanted a light custom. I did "funky hearts" because perfect ones were too difficult. So Fine on top and Bottom Line in the bobbin. Hobbs 80/20. Memory Lane by Libby G, on Flickr Memory Lane by Libby G, on Flickr Memory Lane by Libby G, on Flickr Memory Lane by Libby G, on Flickr Memory Lane by Libby G, on Flickr

My customer makes these quilts for her grandchildren. You may remember LUKE , ETHANBURG and MAGGIE TOWN. Jack loves books so she's cut out characters from material. So Fine on top, Bottom Line in the bobbin. Hobbs 80/20. Jack's Story Town by Libby G, on Flickr Jack's Story Town (2) by Libby G, on Flickr Jack's Story Town (3) by Libby G, on Flickr Jack's Story Town (4) by Libby G, on Flickr Jack's Story Town (5) by Libby G, on Flickr Jack's Story Town (6) by Libby G, on Flickr

I haven't been around here for a few years, life got really busy, but we are planning to move our 2013 Millie (14' table) to Tucson (eventually) with a stay in storage for a while. I called to ask some questions about moving the machine and got a rapid call back and great help (and answers to other questions as well). I know we all know how great APQS customer service is, but I know when I was deciding on a machine I read the forums here and looked for reports regarding customer service so I wanted to make a newer post for others to find. This company is really great! Thanks Mark and APQS!

I entered 3 quilts in this years show. Received 2 Honorable Mentions and Judges Choice. Thought I'd share a picture.

New addition to our Family! She is a two and a half month old "Teddy Bear". We named her "Bitzie" (a play off of Itsy Bitsy); she is no larger than a pop can.

I got Millie in September and did two small quilts with a meander stitch. This one I went all out and did my first custom work with rulers and free motion. So thrilled with the turnout. Each stripe has a different pattern( stripes, plaid, cross hatch, meander, loops). The first border is wishbones and the outer border is piano keys. @quiltedjoy

I have been doing a ton of collaging this is my latest collage quilt it is a vase of Sunflowers i did custom quilting on this, I Just Love Sun Flowers I have included front and back images. Thanks for looking and enjoy your Holiday week end. .

Eileenfast, funny I just finished quilting one of those but I did end up doing custom on it...here are some pics....

A friend pieced this quilt. She only wanted light quilting and flat batting. I used So Fine and Bottom Line. Since I'm not really creative, I googled the animals and looked at their backgrounds. A Day at the Zoo by Libby G, on Flickr A Day at the Zoo (3) by Libby G, on Flickr A Day at the Zoo (2) by Libby G, on Flickr

I have been working hard to make quilting and quilt related items a full time job. One of those projects was to publish my own patterns- something I had dreamed about doing for years and years. I have quilted wholecloth designs for clients before, and for promotional items for a few dye artists. Everybody raved about wanting to learn to do it, so I decided to create a line of patterns that would teach people. My Choose Your Own Adventure patterns let you create over 200 different quilts from a single paper pattern, by mixing and matching various design options. They also teach techniques for filling spaces, free motion quilting, and ruler work. Here is a picture of two quilts created from the first pattern. Cindy Rich, of Twisted Sister Quilting, also quilted one. I don't have a picture of hers to share, but she has it on Facebook. To learn more about it, go to my blog www.sweettsquilting.blogspot.com or the store pages.

Over five years ago a wonderful lady on this forum replied to one of my posts on this forum. She complimented me on the quilt I made and use as my profile picture. She wanted to know if I would share the pattern with her. We ended up being friends on Facebook and texted and called each other. She lived about 12 hours away from me. We had so much in common we could have been sisters. We were modern day pen pals so to speak. We always planned to meet in person, but something always got in the way. My dear friend passed away last month from cancer after being diagnosed late last fall. Even though we never met in person, I considered her my dearest friend. I never did find the pattern to the quilt that started our friendship so I sent her the actual quilt. I wish I had sent it years ago to her. Don’t minimize the friendships made here. They truly make a difference in people’s lives. Until we meet in heaven Diana

Hello all, I relocated to Idaho and am in the process of building a home. I could not wait until a house was built to start quilting so I had a shed built. We finished the inside and this is now my very happy place. Jamie Bennett Quilts & Clay

I've gotten my new Lucey up and running. All I have to say is that either my husband needs to learn how to cook, or I'm cooking once a month. I can stay in my studio all day as long as I have my coffee machine.

A lady called me to do a quilt. The back story was shared. Her friend, a 93 y/o lady told her this was her very last quilt. She wanted to give it to her daughter to remember her by. Her friend offered to get it quilted and finish it so she could. It has lots of oddball fabrics, some squares are appliquéd on. Wonky piecing. But beautiful non the less. Simple giant meander pattern, on my Millie and Quiltpath, 100% cotton batting. Pamela Golliet Sonoran Sky Quilting Tucson, AZ

I made this quilt and quilted with a pantograph for my new grandson who has not arrived yet. I have to put binding on it but I had so much fun quilting it.

Had a hurry up birthday gift. All over stipple, first time to try lettering. Not perfect but for a 5 yr old, will be fine. Great skill builder.

I finished two quilts at the end of May so I could take them to 2 of my sisters in central Canada while visiting this summer on our cross country trip to visit Newfoundland for the first time. What a great trip we had! The pattern is Angela Walter’s “Coral”, available free on her website. Both quilts are the same, except the first one I used a slightly contrasting thread (to the background) because I thought it blended a bit better with the print segments and the second quilt I used a matching thread. In the end, I thought the second one came out better as I had figured out the quilting execution by the time I got there! I’ve only attached the front and back pictures of one quilt here.

This is a new art quilt I just finished. It is headed to a show, but I wanted to share photos with all of you. More details about construction and tons of detail photos on blog. Eye Candy in Fabric art quilt blog article

My daughter and I had a great time this weekend finishing up a quilt she started 7 years ago. This was one of her first quilt tops she made. She is planning on giving it to a friend who will be starting dialysis in the next couple of weeks. I completed all the feathers earlier in the week and she did the rest of the quilting. She has only done a couple of quilts before on my Freddie. She did an awesome job! If you notice one corner... I forgot to do a feather... noticed this as we were taking pictures of the quilt. I said I would reload it and add it but she insisted we consider it a ‘design feature’. She will add her quilt label to this area so it worked out just fine

I love it.

Here's a close up the the quilting in the diamond. 001 by Libby G, on Flickr

I just wanted to send a big thank you to everyone on this forum who takes the time to post answers to questions. I'm guilty of not posting very often. When I'm having issues with my Millie I know I can search this forum and get great answers. I send out a challenge to everyone to try and post once a week and get our forum content back to where it used to be. Anyone else accept the challenge?

Hi. These are really good questions. There are lots of ways to skin a cat, and lots of ways to quilt a quilt. For your specific situation with the border designs, this is what I do (in this order). As a note, I'm not sure if you fully float your tops or partially float. I have always been a partial floater because it gives me a little more control when I'm rolling and starting out to stabilize, etc. Because you are doing the special borders, I would quilt the middle section first and the borders last. That stated, load the fabrics on the frame as you normally would. Instead of basting down the top edge (because you are doing borders) pin the top edges and the sides. During the quilting process, the fabrics shrink up a little. That's why I quilt the middle first and then the outer borders. So the order of quilting is this: 1. Stabilize the top edge and outer borders by pinning -- not sewing/basting. 2. Roll down and pin the borders/sides. Quilt the center. Repeat these steps pinning the outer borders and quilting the center section until you get to the bottom. 3. Since you are at the bottom, you can quilt the bottom border first. When you are ready to quilt the outer borders, you want to arrange your designs from the corners first and work the design toward the center / middle. It's way easier to fudge the center section of the border design than try to fudge a design into a corner. Corners and out is the easiest way. You can draw out/mark your design before you load the top onto the frame, or you can mark it while it's on the frame. I usually use white chalk or blue water soluble markers. Because the sides of the quilt are rolled up, I usually quilt the bottom and top borders first. Then I go back and sew baste down the side borders that I pinned and get ready to quilt the sides. If you don't have enough length on your frame to turn the quilt, you will have to mark your designs on the side borders and quilt and roll. Your corner sections will already be quilted, so you only have mark the designs and fudge in the side border designs toward the center part of the side borders. Anyway, that's how I normally do it when I have a special border design that I want to fit in. Best wishes and have fun. Share a photo when you're done! Shana

Pamela, It's okay for your mojo to just sit down for a while. It is not required to "be productive" all of the time. You have just come off of the holidays, coping with your husband's surgery and recovery, and whatever else may be going on, and your energy and coping reservoir have been drained. It's okay to rest. When I complete a quilt or have no customer quilts staring at me, I sometimes feel a little lost. I have been known to just go into my studio, sit down at the sewing machine, talk to Miss Margie (Millie), or just look around. Usually, there is something to put away or to read or to touch or something, and my interest begins to be renewed. If you really want to get moving - invite a quilting buddy (someone you don't have to clean house for) to come and spend the day sewing. You will enjoy the company while you get to play with fabric. Blessings!

What year was it made? The serial number is inside the harp and will tell the date of manufacture. If there is a letter at the beginning of the #, the machine has been worked on after the sale by APQS. Is she the original owner? Millies depreciate about $1000 per year. Does she have any service records? Has she ever re-timed or replaced the bobbin assembly? I'd be more concerned about "only doing 4 quilts" than some heavy use. Sitting idle for potentially years doesn't do the innards a lot of good. Since this is maybe 10 years old, take off the left side and see if it's gunked up from old oil and that the rocker assembly has no rust and works as it should---it runs the hopping foot. Check that the wicks are saturated with oil. Leave off the left panel and run the machine. How does it sound? Test-stitch, using different stitch-lengths in SR and different speeds in manual. Make a circle and inspect the stitches. Check that the wheels are good by pushing in all directions and seeing if there are clunks from flat spots, which can happen when it sits un-used for a long time. Eyeball the rollers from the ends to see if they're straight. Make sure the advance works. If you can, check the fuse drawer and see if there's still an extra fuse in there---it's in a pop-out panel near the power switch at the back. If it's there, that will mean she probably hasn't blown a fuse. Which isn't a big deal, but will tell you if she really only quilted a few times on it. Finding a few issues means you have wiggle-room to negotiate a price---but nothing mentioned here actually hurts the machine. Plus, she will think you're an expert! These heavy-duty workhorses last for decades and are easy to repair---my 2004 Millie is a trooper and helps me finish many custom quilts per year. Best advice, find a local dealer/rep and pay them to inspect it for you. If you buy, they will be a valuable contact for help and lessons. Good luck!

If you are looking for an excellent longarm machine, APQS is the one. If you are looking for support for the APQS you'll never find a more professionally knowledgeable, fun, committed, patient APQS representative then Connie Keller. Her classes are excellent. When you rent a machine she, Anne and Jed provide the support and direction you need to learn and feel confident. It is obvious that the three of them all love their work and the people they serve with passion and caring. Your search for quality in the machine and support is over. Connie helped me find the perfect machine for me. She and Jed set it up in my home and provided ongoing support. I can't thank you enough, Ms. Connie!! Anne!! And Jed!!

These are are paper pieced hexagons done over several years. I finally Hand appliquéd & quilted in May.

This is a Collage piece I designed and then quilted on one of the Big Dream panels. these panels are a lot of fun to quilt

It's the nature of the beast, SewingDiva. Puffy batting will hide stitches. Plush fabrics like flannels will hide stitches. Using a thin thread like 50 wt will hide stitches. If you want the stitching to show on flannel, use a heavier weight and a contrasting color---and lengthen your stitch length a bit. Don't mess with the tension. Good luck!

Hi everyone, I’m new to this forum. I just got my Lenni all set up and I did my first practice on it with a pantograph. Didn’t do too bad for my first attempt.

I received and assembled my new APQS Lucey w/Quilt Path and had ordered the optional batting bar. It did not come with any instructions, so I made some up for anyone else who may run into this.

Thanks Cathy! He is such a little cutie!!!

Hi Dory! Attached is the spacing and pathway I use for basting for hand-quilters. It would work fine for DSM quilting as well. I use a long stitch length and thick, slippery, contrasting thread for ease of removal. This path requires no long vertical stitching but you still end up with a grid. The customer can remove the stitching as she goes or save it until the end. I charge a half-cent per square inch and usually do only one a year.

I was asked to donate a small quilt for the International Quilt Assoc. Silent Auction in Houston. Here is the quilt that I created. It is 21.5 in. square. I quilted it on my George with 100 wt. silk on top and Bottom Line in the bobbin. I was honored to have been asked to donate a quilt, but it's going to be hard to let this little gem go! If you go to the show this fall, please check out the silent auction quilts and maybe even place a bid! Brenda

I use the book-ring and plastic sleeve method. I primarily use pantographs, so I pull the thumbnail image from the seller's website, enlarge it to fit on a regular piece of copy paper, put it in a sleeve protector, and voila. The rings work better than a binder, because I can easily "audition" the printed sample on the quilt top to see if it seems suitable.