quiltjunkie Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Jess, Thanks for the explanation, I train & support a computer software program all day long and I just don\'t want to hassle with software when I go to quilt..and that sounded very complicated and more work than freemotion, so I\'m with Jen on that one. I know you can do some wonderful, intricate, perfect designs with them and to never mark again would be great, but I just don\'t want to learn anything new right now...I\'m sure I\'ll give in someday as those E2E are really hard on the ole back. This discussion was very informative. Thanks again for hte explanation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SYork Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 I am thinking about a computerized system too. I have looked at demos online and really like the looks of the IQ vs the CQ. I like the idea of the monitor being right at the machine instead of off to the side. I think you can do more with the IQ. I would like to know if others on this site are using IQ and what are your opinions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue E. Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Originally posted by TinaCollins Originally posted by Stagecl 1. Yes, you can go in and add vertices to the design. Cheryl Cheryl, Have you found a way to edit (add vertices) to a locked cmd file? I know we can edit a drawing file (skf or dxf).... but how are you changing a locked cmd file? Please share your knowledge!:cool: Tina, Pro-Q Designer can open all the file types - .cmd, .cqp, qli, dxf, and more. You bring the design into the program and you can edit it. As far as I know, the only ones you can\'t do this with are the files that are encrypted (encoded) with the serial number of your computer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinaCollins Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Thank you Sue! I don\'t have this software... but I will check into buying it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tlrowley Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Originally posted by SYork I am thinking about a computerized system too. I have looked at demos online and really like the looks of the IQ vs the CQ. I like the idea of the monitor being right at the machine instead of off to the side. I think you can do more with the IQ. I would like to know if others on this site are using IQ and what are your opinions? I have an IQ, Sharon, but not on an APQS. I\'d be happy to answer any questions you have (if I can). You can send me a U2U so as to not de-rail the CQ thread, if you\'d like. Tracey IQ on A-1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonwoman Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 I don\'t plan on buying a CQ either, certainly not any time soon. I would like to think never but my crystal ball is at the cleaners. I spent most of my working life listening to a computer hum and watching a computer screen and so far these conversations are the only computer time I have been putting in. will I ever be a PERFECT quilter? no, I like the imperfections of freehand quilting. I did like the cross-hatching the CQ did but I\'ve seen incredible cross hatching done by non-computerized quilters so I\'m just thinkin\' I\'m just not "there" yet. and I know it will be way more satisfying to me when I do get "there" to know I worked to get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonwoman Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 nothing like showing up late to comment but I have to tell you my head started to hurt trying to read the computer lingo for quilting I guess 6 payroll computer system conversions burned out any hope of adding a new computer lingo to my brain. My eyes are glazed and my head is sore;) ohyes there\'s a twitch developing above my right eye too:D thanks for all the info folks dale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stagecl Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 Sue...thanks for replying to Tina\'s question...I just hadn\'t gotten back to this post and didn\'t realize she had asked how to add vertices. Dale...it isn\'t has hard as it sounds...my computer knowledge is very, very limited and I can run CQ just fine. I consider myself the un-nerd of computers. Cheryl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jess Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 While there is a learning curve to the CQ, it\'s not really that hard at all. I figure that there is a learning curve to anything new. Seriously, if you used the CQ for nothing but pantographs you would still have huge benefits. I never used to do pantos at all, they make me sick to my stomach (like car sick) moving along them looking down at the back, just made me queasy, so I adding the CQ not only was a great way for us to be able to test sew designs in house, but I also have added pantographs to my list of quilting styles & even just the pantos more than make it worth while. Not to mention that I can get perfect heirloom anytime I want, not just when I am feeling in the mood for it. I know for a fact that the CQ is saving my shoulders, knees & feet. Not that my Millie was heavy or anything, but I was doing over 200 quilts per year & that\'s hard on the body. I new felt that I would have to reduce the number of quilts that I did when we started to grow the digitizing & design end of our business because I needed the time to do the things that I needed to do for that. I have to a certain extent, because I currently only have the one machine & I have to spend time testing designs vs. doing customer quilts, but I thought that if I move my business interests in a new direction that I would pretty much have to give up customer quilting & with the CQ I am able to have quilts quilting & still do other things. This frees up huge amounts of time. If I am running a long panto I can even get some digitizing done at the same time. When the design takes less time to sew out I spend time loading designs, binding, running between embroidery & quilting machine. It works out great & it just take baby steps to learn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andriko Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 I have an IQ since last December. Self installed and all I can say: I just love it. No need to learn a new software, just follow the screen. It is really selfexplanatory. I love to be able to record a freeguided pattern for x-repeats. I love to sit im my recliner and play with IQ while Millie is in the basement having a rest. To see it in action search in google video or youtube for Intelliquilter. To see it in action is more than a lot of explantions. Feel free to use U2U for any information. Happy Easter Sunday greetings Andrea in Switzerland with a Millie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judi Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 I was talking about this with a couple of ladies and the owner of the Quilt shop that I go to. They were telling me about a lady near here who lost her job, bought a new Gammill with the whole Statler Stitcher set-up, all with a loan, came into the shop and wanted to start doing quilts for them and their customers - at $35.00 per sq yd!!! She had NEVER pieced a quilt before, never quilted, knew nothing or nobody who had.....hmm....Yeah right! They explained that nobody around here pays that kind of money for quilting - her reply was "Well they have to, in order to pay for my machine!" Some people really need to do research first! And yes - maybe make a quilt or 2!! I do wonder how you all charge for quilting with the computer compared to by hand. I think there are other topics about this, so I will go and do a search...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ammoman Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 I\'ve been following this thread for a while now and as you may know... I\'m very passionate about computerized quilting. Judy...I commend the lady and wish her the very best. She sounds like a go getter and the SS will reduce her learning curve significantly. As long as she sticks with pantos at first and knows how to work the tension, i see no reason why she cant have a thriving business. That is, unless people conspire against her and put her down. But i know the LQS would never do that. Or would they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nineva Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 Ok, what does IYAAYAS stand for? Nancy Soon to be from Idaho again. Yaaaayyyyy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeoldeforest Posted March 23, 2008 Report Share Posted March 23, 2008 $35.0 per square yard breaks down to .027 per square inch...this seems very reasonable especially with the perfect stitches you get with the computer and the intricate designs. For the custom customer quilt I just did, I charged .03 per square inch and that was not near enough.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grammie Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 Hi everyone. I have been away for a while. My Father in law passed and I\'m just getting back home. He had a wonderful goodbye service. He was 88 years old and a wonderful man and my friend. On to the subject at hand. This was a long and interesting read. Many things covered and wow some great suggestions on future wants for CQ system. Linda I do believe CQ or any other Computerized system will increase your earnings from a business standpoint and greatly reduces the wear and tear on your body. Many Computerized Quilters only do ETE for their businesses and they can do many more quilts as a result. I like doing alot of motifs and adding my freehand to the quilt at times. Freehand like Tina is a passion for me but once I learned Digitizing last year I began doing more and more on my Computerized system. I learned more about CONCEPTS and this is the most important of all in computerized quilting. The introduction training by the systems out there is just basic to get you going and I think there is a BIG demand for advanced training on how to use these systems. I find it is still being treated as a Hobby and not a profitable opportunity. Certainly some may have purchased their systems to enjoy but some WANT TO MAKE MONEY. I do. More Business Training and System Training is needed and Statler has been diligent at most shows offering training. I would like to see more classes for CQ owners also. We all spend money to attend these shows and having classes there keeps us from having to pay travel again during the year to go somewhere else for the training. It would save the Owners money. There are things I really love about all the Computerized Systems out there. I hope to see more CQ quilts in competition but truely I haven\'t. The quilts I have seen have been Statler Quilts and they looked awesome. I have only see a few for CQ. The IQ youtube videos showed this too is a cool system. Quilters are visual artists and I believe this is its best selling point. It is really cool to see the complete quilt layout as you are working. I can see the attraction. I too want to be able to have my CQ run and at the same time be doing something on the Computer in preparation of my next step. I don\'t think the systems have the POWER they should have. I\'m not a Computer Genious by any stretch. Also the TERM UPGRADE and UPDATE are not the same. CQ has had many updates and I like some of them but NO Major UPGRADE since I purchased it in 2005. I\'ll stand corrected if you know of one. THERE is a difference. Other systems have had UPGRADES. No major changes to our systems that changed the way we can use our designs, no screen shot changes that mattered. I want my system to always be at the cutting edge. Just a thought. On Classes at the Shows to speak of. Not even lecture classes offering question and anwer times for the owners who attend. None I know of. Please if their out there let me know. Something else to keep in mind is that many of the designs available to us are from Statler designers who are designing for designs to be utilized in a LARGER THROAT SPACE. My Milli throat does limit me to using many of these designs as I always quilt more dense as a result of that. Many of the Statler designs will stitch at 20 inches or more and will still be awesome on the quilt. They are able to quilt these designs at a lower cost per square inch as I charge more as the density increases on the pattern. More dense is more time with each pass I stitch. I could do many of these designs at less per square inch if I had the throat size they were designed to be stitched in. If APQS wants to compete fairly with the COMPUTERIZED world they need a LARGER THROAT for computerized quilting. I will be forced to buy a Gammill to fully utilized my Digitized designs and opportunities. I would never want a large throat for Freehand but Computerized quilting machines NEED to have LARGE throats. Designs are getting more and more complex and larger throats only increase our design opportunities and opens up other avenues for us. I am speaking from a QUILTING BUSINESS standpoint. It is going to KILL me if I have to purchase another brand for this reason. Only someone who understand the designs concepts of our systems and how designs are executed would appreciate or understand what I am getting at. PLEASE APQS DESIGN A LARGE THROAT (24" at least). Please please. When getting a larger throat I will have to change my CQ to statler/Gammill as they have the Throat size I want. I know Nolting has one but I\'m not a Nolting fan. No offense anyone. Keep in mind some terms used in this discusstion need to be clarified for some. Tina used the word "locked" and I am assuming she is referring to Encrypted designs. I do not mind Encrypted designs but I must have a file I can open IN AUTOSKETCH which allows me to make my own file when personalizing a design for a specific Project. Encrypting it wouldn\'t make ce as I would\'nt use it anyway. NO EDITABLE file and I do not purchase. If you purchase designs without an editable file you are doing yourself and your business a disservice. If you are wanting to increase your business opportunities you should learn digitizing. You do not have to want to be a designer to gain greatly from the knowledge. Digitizng classes are not just about click click click but understanding the system for which you own and all the rules of that system. You will understand what makes a good design, How to correct a problem design if you should purchase on and how to best use Purchased designs in your projects. Although I do digitize alot I also can now go in and combine designs for personal layouts for unique projects and create lots of wonderful things. I have been working on wholecloth designs forever it seems but I am having a BLAST. I play in Autosketch daily with my designs and purchased designs creating all sorts of funky things. It is a blast. Of course I value copyright incase anyone is wondering. I wouldn\'t dream of doing anything else. I do not want my hands tied and my creativity hampered. If your are considering a system not matter which one Keep this in mind. All systems have a learning curve and will require hours of trial and error but we all learn from our mistakes. I hope this year brings about some really positive opportunities for those of us who want to continue to grow in our Quilting Business. Hugs to you all. Again Great Discussion. Hugs Grammie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinaCollins Posted March 29, 2008 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 Grammie Tammie, I love when you post! We need to get together and talk!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judi Posted March 29, 2008 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 Tammie - Sorry to hear about your Father-in-law. I am very glad however to have you back online and posting! Your info. is always great to read!!! Thank-you! Joanne - wow! When it is broken down to sq.inch it is do-able. Wish I could get paid that, but the going prices/rates around here are a bit lower than the normal I think. Doing a bit of research though and I will be raising my prices soon!! Need to!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grammie Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 You know I love computerized quilting and I so want it to a profitable decision for quilters and I\'ve proven it can be. There is so much to learn and so many concepts we need especially if we are NEW to the quilting world all together. I do hope we have more classes not just on our systems but also on some productive and valuable ways to operate our business to MAKE MONEY. This could only help the investor of a system whether it be only Freehand or Computerized Quilting. I think many quilters need their confidense lifted and they are so much more talented they even they know. Knowledge is Everything. Tina we can talk anytime. Sounds like a party to me. Two or more heads is always better than one I say. lolololol Going away next week to spend time with my Son before he leaves for IRAQ but once he leaves I will be back at and hard at work. I miss my machine and my creative time. Been almost 3 weeks since I quilted due to family issues out of my control. None the less still digitizing going down the road with my laptop. lol But hey this time is what brings us back to what is really important to us. OUR FAMILIES. We love them more than we realize. lol EVEN MORE THAN QUILTING. Thank you Judi. It was a busy and sad week but also a rejoicing time. My father in law was loved and respected and a very unselfishish loving dad. He and I were close as I was the main caregiver in his life as my husband traveles with his job. I would not have had it any other way. He was so worth it. He will be missed but often thought of and we kinda believe he might be watching so I have to continue to be a good girl. lolool Happy Quilting to you all Grammie Love and Hugs Grammie Tammie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PamBaumli Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 Hang in there with me as I attempt to make my first post. I\'ve had my CQ and Millie since Nov. of 2005. It was a lot to take on at the same time. I didn\'t use a computer much either so that put me at a handicap also. I still don\'t know much about a computer but can download designs and updates by myself. YEA!!! I probably wouldn\'t have spent the money for the CQ, but my sweet husband insisted. I thank him every day for it! I don\'t do much freehand, don\'t have time to ppp, to busy doing customer quilts. I do alot of ETE, and ETE with something different in borders. I started floating my tops so that I know exactly how much shrinkage I have and can start adjusting the size so that I don\'t run out of room at the bottom. I also use the boundary and outline features daily when doing crosshatching or motifs. I rarely mark on a quilt. It is alot to learn, but it is now fun learning, at first is was very stressful. I stay really busy with customers quilts, which suprises me as there is several LA\'s in this area. I do alot of t-shirt quilts and have a design digitized for that quilt. I don\'t make my own designs, I haven\'t had time to but want to be able to sometime in the future, as well as do more freehand. My DH laughs that I multi-task. When you walk in my shop the LA is running, embroidery machine is running and I am working on piecing a top. I can get my daily walk in keeping three things going at once. The only problem I now have is finding time to quilt the tops I have pieced while quilting someone elses. There is so many more designs now then when I purchased mine, it is easy to collect designs the same way we tend to collect fabric. Would I buy the CQ again, you bet. At the end of the day my back and shoulders don\'t hurt. Wearing my MBT sport shoes helps on this also. I would like to see more classes on the CQ at MQS or Des Moines. Or possibly a users group that meets at Des Moines. There is so much to learn, but it is now FUN learning. I would like to thank Tina and Jim for hanging in there with me. Just my two cents worth about the CQ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinaCollins Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 Pam, You are very very welcome!!! - I\'m sure Jim feels the same too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncutt Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 Nonsense, Robin! There will always be people that want the freehand quilting. When I first saw computer aided quilting, I thought it to be "too" perfect. Then, again, for the same reason you purchased your CL, others have went computerized. Not to compete with people with great ability, but to help their business and make money. Plus the wear and tear it saves on your body! There are days I cannot do anything freehand, but boy my Millie loves my CQ! Don\'t worry, you will be fine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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