Tuesday 6 May 2014

Relationship Between a Modern Quilter and their Longarm Quilter

Have you ever noticed how the quilting compliments the modern quilt? I have noticed this more in modern quilts than in traditional quilts.

In traditional quilts the 'piecer' puts the top together and the quilter has to find a way of complimenting the piecing 



but in modern quilts the 'piecer' puts the top together firstly considering the impact of the quilting on the top.



Please don't disagree straight away without hearing me out.

A lot of experienced longarm quilters are aware of the impact their quilting can have on a very simple quilt top design, so sometimes they will put together a top that may come across simple to the eye, but really it is put together in this way because they have an idea that will showcase their longarm quilting delightfully 



I'm not saying one is more difficult than the other....eg. A.  The 'piecer' has a harder job because they have to consider what decisions their longarmer has to take to really make their top 'pop' or B. The longarmer has a harder job because they have to consider what decisions their 'piecer' has to take to really make the longarmer able to accentuate their piece or to blow their piece out of the water so to speak. Some 'piecers' put quilt tops together so simply in order for their longarmer to take full advantage of the negative space and transform their top to higher levels than anyone could have imagined! 

Either way the relationship between the quilt top maker or 'piecer' or 'designer' and their longarmer or midarmer or domestic sewing machinist needs to be communicative at the very least. I would almost advise going for a dinner or a drink with each other to go over design ideas before going ahead with decisions and if there is no time for that at least a cup of tea or coffee at meeting. The consultation between both should never be rushed and I would not advise the 'piecer' to say to their machinist 'oh just do whatever you like because the design decisions on the quilt need to be outlined by both parties.  

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