mscott2611 Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 How many have computers on your longarms, especially ones of you that quilt for customers? Do you use it mostly for pantographs, or do you use it for other things? My business is finally growing and I think I can finally justify a computer and I am wondering if it is worth it. Mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RitaR Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 I have a computer on my Lenni, love it, and use it for blocks, e2e, about anything I need. With the arthritis so bad, I'd not be able to quilt at all... and I can't stand that thought. Rita Mary, give me a pm here and I'll chat with you a bit about mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenniferBernard Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 I would love to have a computer if I could afford it! I just don't quilt enough any more to justify the expense. I would love it for the complexity and the perfection of the block designs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaSteller Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 I use mine a lot for pantographs, but I really got it because I do a lot of custom and I got tired of the fancy design that I chose to put in the blocks of a quilt after I'd finished the first two and there were 28 more to go! The computer can really save wear and tear on the body. I'm too old to keep doing all that repetitive stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micajah Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 I have the IQ computer on mine. Love it! I can do a panto really fast now where it took me forever before to do pantos. And like Linda says, repeat block patterns are super quick and easy too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterfly Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 I have arthritis (rheumatoid) and wish i had it. i would make so much more money with allover. However, they arwe so expensive and so I'm just not sure its worth the investment since most clients want custom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunningThreads Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 Mary Ours is used mostly for pantos. Brenda does most of the custom on the Millie while the IQ is stitching a panto out behind her. Sometimes she will do most of a quilt on her machine and then move it to the computerized machine for repetitive motifs. Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeke Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 I've been computerized for about 4 years now and love it. I too, use most for panto's . And then again I also use it for custom work. The nice thing about the computer is that you can do designs that are too complicated for hand work. And you can learn digitizing and make your own designs. Enjoy. Zeke..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeannieB Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 QuiltPath for pantos, blocks and digitizing ... I use mine a LOT! It quilts faster than i do. LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loraquilts Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 I've finally made the decision to get IQ. I'm sooooo excited. It was a big decision because it is very expensive. I looked at the Quilt Path, but was not impressed (sorry). It just doesn't do everything I needed a computerized system to do for me. I also looked at the Statler Stitcher, and even though I really liked the Statler Stitcher system, they will only sell it for Gammils. I love my APQS and don't want to change to a Gammil. I know I'm going to use the IQ for pantos, digitizing, and because I do a lot of custom quilting, I'll be using it for that as well. I know I'll have a big learning curve at first, but that's when I plan to get some charity quilts done. Yeeeeeee! I get my IQ in October. I'm so excited. I wish it were already October! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirleyl Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 I use Quilt Path for Pantos and custom. Sometimes I use the computer and freehand on the same quilt. I'm better able to multitask while it's doing pantos. Customs are great since it's more consistent than I could ever be. Shirley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donna sco Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 lem157 IQ is great. May I suggest you get started viewing the IQ videos on Your Tube and sign up for the Yahoo IQ group if you have not done so already. Every video you look at will save you time when you et your machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wannabelongarm Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 I LOVE my Quilt Path. I use it for everything - pantos, blocks, borders, designs, create my own, etc. Good luck. Joanne Flamand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHuffman Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 I added my first computer to my first longarm in 2010. I wouldn't be without it now. It is one of my best business tools to stay productive and profitable. It is like my own little employee stitching away while I'm working on something else. Even if that something else is hopping on the APQS.com forums! Hop on in, Mary, the water is fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corey Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 Best tool ever, IQ is expensive but worth investing. I use it on pantos and custom, the editing feature of IQ is very helpful for fillers & background once you get the hang of it. You are going to love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie H Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 I'm experiencing the terrible sin of ENVY after having read this thread :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delld Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 Wow! You quilters are making me want one too!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 Think long and hard about the end-use of a computer system. What are your goals? More customers/$$, easier on your body, easy overalls, or as a partner with custom freehanding? I'm sure after you get one, you'll find you love it and use it a lot, if only because you have a lot invested in the purchase. Having a second machine with a computer on it will allow more done in less time. But try to figure out how long/at what amount is the pay-back point. If you have one machine, you still can only do one quilt at a time on it. I'm watching the QP progression because eventually I'll get a system. But my thought is to have two machines since the bulk of my business is custom and I'd like more overall business. I'd love to be able to digitize my own block designs to use for repeating, and then be able to freehand other spaces. And the digitized overall designs available now are stunning. Good luck with your decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirleyl Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 My reasons were I was buried. I could piece and work on oaperwork or many other things while QP is doing pantos. Computers are great, but expensive. You have to make sure it will pay out or you are doing it for yourself. Could I have went on without one absolutely. Shirley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreadWaggle Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 I love my Quilt Path! About 75% of the quilts I do with it are E2E, the other 25% custom. I am lucky to have two Quilt Path's now, one at home and one in the showroom. I still do freehand work too, but not anywhere near as much as I did before getting my first computer last year. It is all about multi-tasking for me. I am not sure I could go back to just freehand quilting now. I love getting to do it occasionally but I did not realize how much impact it was really having on me. A little over a year ago, I was in the same boat with Linda. I did primarily freehand custom and wanted to build my E2E business. Now I do primarily E2E, which has had a great impact on my bottom line. And I still get to do enough custom quilts to satisfy my creative side. Going computerized was the right choice for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryL Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 I do love my Quilt Path. The reason I purchased my Quilt Path is because I'm new to long arm quilting. My Quilt Path has given me the opportunity to expand my quilting as I learn. It certainly quilts far better than I do at this point. I have so many more choices with it than without it. Since I have limited knowledge and ability after I load a quilt I can then decide if I want to do a panto or do I want to combine some custom work with the help of my Quilt Path. I think it's a match made in heaven for me. I'm certain I would of enjoyed my Freedom without the Quilt Path but with it I'm loving it all that much more. Mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara Conquest Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 I bought a SideSaddle, a small and cheaper version of an onboard computer. I was told that it would work fine on my Millennium, but that isn't really the case. It is slow; I can finish a quilt faster without it. I'm not always satisfied with the quality of the patterns once they're stitched out. However, I think it would work well on a smaller, lighter machine. If I were to do it again, I wouldn't! I think I should have bitten the bullet and bought a larger one. Also, I must admit I haven't always kept up with the updates so it isn't completely the SS's fault. Those of you who have the SS, please don't yell at me! It has its place -- just not with me. Barbara Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oma Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 No yelling Barbara...I hear what you're saying. I have the SideSaddle also. I use it on my Liberty. It was perfect for what I wanted and needed. I don't have a business and I don't quilt for others. I just play mostly by myself so this gives me computer ability at a much smaller price. They have done quite a few updates and there was supposed to be a whole new computer system in July, but I still haven't seen it. I would never suggest this system to someone wanting to use it as a workhorse to have a quilting business. My motto has always been to buy the biggest and best you can afford. This system is a good fit for the quilter who wants to have the ability to quilt using a computer at a much lower investment price than the larger ones. Comparing the SS to IQ is kind of like comparing a beautiful new Millennium with all the bells and whistles to a Liberty. My Liberty is a great little machine and does a great job for me with the exception of a few times when I wish I had a larger throat space and the SS has worked well for me. (((((Secret....I often lust for a new Millennium and the IQ system.))))) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primitive1 Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 I absolutely love doing freehand custom quilting, BUT, it would be nice to have a computer system that could do those repetitive blocks and those pantos....like many of you, I am just not there yet.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RitaR Posted August 11, 2014 Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 I got the computer because freehanding set my spine, neck and shoulders off, and the pain just got to be way too much.. and the second reason is because the prescribed meds I was on left me unable to do even basic freehand meandering. I use it for pantos. blocks and around items.. some designs come with background filler for the blocks. Really makes it nice, and a lot less painful. Just that instead of drugs, heavy drugs prescribed, makes it more than worth it. Check out the features on each one, and the Side Saddle which I have. Rita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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