clgtennis

I'm going to be starting a large Judy Niemeier quilt that will be ditched completely and custom quilted. I've done ditch work and custom quilting on several quilts in the past, though all were smaller than this one. My question is, should I ditch the entire quilt to stabilize it prior to starting any ruler work or custom quilting? I'm sure this is personal preference but I would like to know what others do and why.

I use microquilter for SID and use it in the bobbin with very nice results. It lasts forever in the bobbin due to it's 100wt!

Adding to the conversation, I have had and IQ system on my Freedom since I bought my longarm over 2 years ago and am extremely happy with it! It's easy to learn and the support from IQ (both technical and functional) is fantastic. I work in IT and have never had vendor support that could match Zoltan and IQ. I do both pantograph and detailed custom quilting with mine and also the no-sew zone you mentioned. I compared this to Quiltpath and one of my decision points was the Unix tablet...no viruses to worry about and lifetime software updates are included in the price. If you can afford IQ it is well worth the price. Good luck with our decision.

I found these instructions to build a light bar over my Freedom. A friend of mine volunteered her husband to help me and we built it (mostly he!) in one evening. I love this light bar and it was inexpensive compared to others I looked at and attaches perfectly to the brackets on my 10 foot frame. I found all the supplies at Home Depot and Lowes. http://www.hurdusew.com/Docs/DYI_Light_Kit.pdf

Very nice!

I purchased pre-design studio a few years ago and have used that successfully to create all types of designs for my IntelliQuilter. The price was right and the software is easy to learn and use.

I started making this quilt early last year and finally finished the piecing and quilting. I loved how the quilting designs came together and planned to keep this one for myself but I have someone interested in buying it so not sure where this will end up! Hobbs 80/20 batting and Superior threads quilted on my Freedom with IQ. Ditch work and straight lines are ruler work. Quilting designs are from House of Creations...no affiliation but stitch out beautifully!

Beautiful quilting! I'm always amazed at how nice the basket weave design looks on a quilt. I'm sure your customer will love it. Cathy

Beautiful job! The quilt and quilting are amazing. Cathy

What an awesome tribute to your husband and his service. The quilt and quilting are both beautiful. Thanks for sharing! Cathy

Thanks David...I know what you mean about piecing a DWR quilt. I also wanted to make the traditional style pattern and have looked at many pictures, patterns, videos and rulers until finally deciding to start with a metro rings quilt. You still have to do the curved piecing but it's very forgiving which I loved...I'm a big fan of sewing a piece slightly larger and cutting it to size so this was perfect for me:-) Cathy

Thank you! I'm continually amazed at how the quilting changes and enhances the look of a quilt.

Since this is ultimately not my quilt I wasn't quite ready to do everything freehand and that is why I bought my IQ:-) Need to use what I paid for! I did however ditch the rings by hand using a curved ruler. For my own projects I am slowly trying to incorporate more freehand and ruler work. Thanks for looking!

Between work and the holidays I was finally able to get this quilt on and off my frame. It's a commission quilt for a co-worker/friend and thankfully she was not in a hurry. I used quilt designs from House of Creations (they stitched beautifully!) and my Freedom with Intelliquilter. Just need to add the label and off it will go. Cathy

The quilt and quilting are absolutely beautiful! One of the best quilting ideas I've seen for that quilt design. Great job!