Technology
A. Software Designing
I usually start off designing a quilt by doodling on graph paper. When I have a doodle I like, I move to the free, open-source software Gimp, which is similar to Photoshop. With a little practice, Gimp can do most of what Electric Quilt can do. I use it for every quilt I design or lay out. Gimp has a customizable grid which can be blended in and out and be made magnetic, which makes drawing straight lines kid’s play. It’s really great—and free!
Amanda Kei Andrews, Vero Beach, FL
I have only used Quilt Wizard, which is a simple program that helps me figure out how much fabric I would need to purchase for a particular kind of quilt.
Susanne Hilton, Laurel, MD
I frequently add a sketch of a block or a quilt into Photoshop to try different color ways. I also make layers in Photoshop to make patterns for appliqué.
Stephanie Greenberg, Lawrenceville, NJ
I use Electric Quilt 7 to design new projects. The biggest benefit to me, besides not having to do the math, is I can scan the fabric I intend to use and see if it works. In the past, I have sewn blocks only to find I don’t like the way they looked. It saves me a lot of time in the long run.
Patti Goggio, Broadlands, VA
I use EQ7-Electric Quilt Company. It takes the math challenge out of design. I determine the finished size quilt block I want to use and then can choose layouts and borders to achieve the size and design I want.
Carol Martin, Honey Brook, PA
I redesign every pattern I purchase. I generally find most pattern designers do a poor job with directions. The only way I can be sure that everything is correct is to draw it myself in EQ7. I also design original quilts and original blocks and create appliqué elements like leaves that can be printed on my printer using freezer paper. Putting a quilt in Electric Quilt also lets me audition fabric in the entire quilt.
Eileen Ellis, Tabernacle, NJ
I use EQ6. I can start from scratch or use the blocks that are in the block libraries. I also use my Glass Eye, a stained glass program for making quilts or for individual pieces of the quilt. The Eye can print on more than one sheet, and then I tape them together.
Barbara Hill, Huntsville, AL
If I import scans of the fabric I will use, I can decide if the fabric is appropriate for the design.
Electric Quilt 7 has been a real tool to adjust block size to make sure the quilt is in proportion. It is particularly helpful to design a dogtooth border. If I import scans of the fabric I will use, I can decide if the fabric is appropriate for the design. The ability to print templates and import photographs is an added bonus.
I have used EQ7 to give the customer ideas to choose from, to try different colorways, and to give a customer an idea of what the finished quilt will look like.
Gail Hurn, Highland Haven, TX
I have used Excel. Making graph paper allows me to figure out how to lay out squares. The paintbrush feature lets me add colors
Pam Sievers, Powell, OH
I love to “doodle” my possible quilting designs using Photoshop Elements. Placing a number of quilting motifs over a picture of my quilt lets me know what works for the quilt.
Judy Davidson, Palmwoods, Australia
Since I am a Mac user, the major quilting programs are not usable for me. I do use Illustrator to graph patterns and to figure sizes. I also print out templates from Illustrator.
Sharon Mountford, Canoga Park, CA
Mywebquilter.com is a nice online site to design quilts or try out color combinations.
Sally Zimmer, Bark River, MI
I use Microsoft Publisher to design my quilts. I photograph the fabrics and import them into my computer so that I can see what the finished quilt will look like before I make the first cut.
Nancy Quade, Newark, DE
I use the Statler stitcher software to audition quilting designs.
Joan Oldham, Panama City, FL
I’m a graphic designer, so I use Illustrator to plan out quilts and make my own paper piecing patterns. I’m really lucky to know the program so well because of my profession. It might be a little overkill for the average quilter, and I have to be savvy enough to do my own math to calculate how to cut my pieces and how much yardage I will need. I still sketch on graph paper when I just want to get some ideas out, though.
Kari Vojtechovsky, Centennial, CO
I do not use computers for quilt design, although I am very computer savvy. There is something about paper, pen, and design together that just feels right. I buy spiral notebooks on sale during back-to-school sales for $.10. I have filled many with ideas and graphs and calculations.
Kris Newlin, West Chester, PA
B. Photo Transfer
I have only used regular cotton fabric ironed onto freezer paper and printed on my Stylus R1800 printer. I haven’t used this for pictures of people, but it has worked well for buildings, details, scenes and clouds.
I have used my scanner and printer when repairing old quilts.
Sharon Mountford, Canoga Park, CA
I have also used my scanner and printer when repairing old quilts. I carefully cut out a piece of the torn fabric, place it on the bed of my printer/scanner and create an image of the fabric. Then I print it out again on paper-backed fabric with my inkjet printer. I found this to be a great way to repair antique or aging, much-loved quilts.
Barbara Merritt, Brackney, PA
I just finished a T-shirt quilt for my daughter. I photo transferred not only her team and individual pictures from her childhood, but some of her certificates. They are interspersed in the quilt with her uniforms and T-shirt blocks.
Susanne Hilton, Laurel, MD
I used the photo transfer technique to make a special pillow showing a picture of our family to send to our daughter who was going through chemo and radiation treatments for cancer. She kept it with her to remind her that we were all with her despite the miles between us.
Mary Phinney, Lancaster, PA
I made a quilt with houses on it for a grandson. Every window had a family member in it.
Joan Hagan, St. Marys, PA
I included a photo of my newborn granddaughter in her first quilt to make it very personal.
Janis King, Huntly, Australia
I made a quilt for my 87 year old father. When I told him I made a quilt for him, he wasn’t very excited. When he unfolded the quilt, he noticed that I had taken all his World War II pictures that he had saved to a CD. I printed them on special photo fabric and sewed them into a quilt. Needless to say, he was speechless.
Lucy Esposito, Granbury, TX
My husband went to Kilimanjaro a few years ago. I had him pick 16 pictures from his trip, transferred them to fabric and made a wall hanging out of them.
I made a Broken Dishes quilt for a missionary’s child, using photos on the plain squares. The photos were of her sophomore year in the States.
Sue Hurley, Princeton, NJ
I made a Broken Dishes quilt for a missionary’s child, using photos on the plain squares. The photos were of her sophomore year in the States.
Helen Elliott, Hendersonville, NC
My sister and I used this method to make a 50th wedding anniversary quilt for my parents. It was our first attempt, but the results were wonderful, especially the looks on my parents’ faces when they opened the gift. I am going to attempt this in the future for my children and my grandson. I think the gift is priceless.
Mary Calkins, Brooklyn, WI
I have made a number of quilts in which I use photo transfer. I have made them for special birthdays and anniversaries. They become a photo album on a wall. Recently, I realized that three of my quilts were displayed in the nursing home rooms of friends. I had made them for the ladies’ 80th and 90th birthdays and for a 50th wedding anniversary. The quilts were a conversation starter for staff and visitors and helped connect the ladies with their lives before entering the nursing home. The one made for the 90 year old was displayed at her funeral, which was one month before her 101st birthday.
I’ve used photo transfers for labels. In fact, I couldn’t find a good picture of my son and myself together, so I used two of our photos and put them side by side on the printer to label his Confirmation quilt. He loved it! I’m also planning to make a memory quilt using photos, and I’ll be transferring some of his artwork from elementary school to put in his memory quilt.
Patricia Grimm, New Windsor, NY
I was able to find pictures of my husband’s old Air Force base, various jets, and logos for his unit, which I printed on transfer fabric, to use in a military-themed quilt and wall hanging for him. He was thrilled with the results!
Pam Barman, Magnolia, TX
I use photo transfer to commemorate an anniversary or birthday or special happening. When my grandson was born, I made a set of quilted bumpers for his crib with large trucks, cars, and trains going all around all four sides and a photo of every family member in one of the vehicle windows. I even put a photo of my sister’s dogs on one of the flat bed cars of the train! My idea is that he would get familiar with all the names and faces in the family, even some that are no longer with us.
Pamela Capen, Suffern, NY
I have a project planned using my grandparents’ wedding photo surrounded by crazy quilt patches made up of their old clothing.
Kim Patterson, Yacolt, WA
I wash the fabric to remove sizing, pretreat it with Bubble Jet Set, iron the fabric to freezer paper, print on my computer, let it dry a day or two, ironing occasionally to really set the ink, peel off the freezer paper, rinse with Bubble Jet Rinse, immediately pat it dry, and maybe even use a blow dryer to ensure no ink bleeding occurs. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and don’t take any shortcuts!
Marcia Guza, Brick, NJ
I find photo transfer doesn’t tend to look nice after a few washings. I do some in wall hangings or things I don’t wash.
Susan Walters, Newark, DE
C. Other Computer Applications
The internet is my best friend. I can gather ideas for hours at a time. I can take classes, visit blogs, and find free tutorials. I can buy that one missing piece from a fabric line that my local quilt store has “almost all” of. I can join groups of like-minded quilters and find wonderful new friends for whom I do not have to clean my house because they like me just the way I am, sometimes in my pajamas, and sometimes with a glass of wine in my hand!
Michelle Harrison, Morganton, GA
To make personal labels for each quilt, I print onto fabric using Word.
Excel is wonderful for recordkeeping—contacts and addresses and costs of each quilt.
I also keep photos of the quilts I make in folders on my hard drive. I plan to put all the photos in a hard bound book.
To make personal labels for each quilt, I print onto fabric using Word.
Gail Hurn, Highland Haven, TX
I use Excel to keep a list of the quilting books I own so I don’t buy things I already have. It’s a long list. Also, I use the internet to read inspiring quilting blogs and to shop for fabric, books and patterns.
Lisa England, Ashland, KY
Mostly my digital camera and Photoshop have helped me enormously. I photograph every quilt that takes my interest at local shows. Often I might only take a photo of a border or a block. Sometimes it’s the quilting I’m really trying to capture. I load all these photos on my computer and sort them in styles or color or quilting. Then I have my own personal resource.
Jann Dodds, Kenthurst, Australia
I have saved photos of my quilts on Picasa in order to review them when I need inspiration.
Doris Carbone, Dracut, MA
Quilter’s Cache has an abundance of quilt and quilt block patterns which can be sorted by size. I enjoy using them for my guild’s monthly Lucky Buck. I buy a 10” square of fabric and using a pattern of my choice to turn it into a 12½” quilt block.
Sally Berry, Virginia Beach, VA
I use my cell phone and/or camera to take pictures of work in process or for auditioning borders. I take a picture and send it to my computer. When I view it on my computer screen, I can see if blocks need to be rearranged or if the colors (borders) are pleasing together.
Janet Bland, Smyrna, GA
I love Pinterest and Google images. If I know what block I want to make, or even when I don’t, they offer a wealth of inspiration.
Other computer programs apps I have include: Dear Jane, Block Base, EQ 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 and add on programs to EQ such as Baltimore, New York Beauty and Sue Spargo.
IPhone apps I’ve used include lock Fabb, Convert Units, Robert Kauffman Quilt Calc and Quilting Daily.
I use them to help me design quilts, calculate fabric yardage and convert metric and imperial measurements.
Louise Lott, Healesville, Australia
I love Google Images. I download the images, enlarge or reduce the image, make a pattern and create the image out of fabric. Our youngest grandson requested an airplane border for his transportation quilt. I’m currently making the border with 20 different images of airplanes.
Pat Smith, Sidney, NY
I have taken classes over the internet and have used quilting ebooks. This is particularly useful in longarm quilting because I can have the demonstration playing right next to my machine.
Diane Linker, Scarsdale, NY
Triangulations is a great computer application. I use this for all half square triangles and quarter square triangles. You get all 56 sizes on the disk, you don’t load it on your computer, so you only print what you need.
Karen Benke, Medina, OH
I love the instructional DVD’s for quilting because you can stop and start, replay until you understand what you need to know. It is so helpful to hear another quilter talk you through a new technique at any time of the day or night.
Olivia Kuebler, Kansas City, MO
YouTube is always a help to learn a new technique or a ruler when you just can’t grasp what the written instructions mean.
YouTube is always a help to learn a new technique or a ruler when you just can’t grasp what the written instructions mean.
Patty Smith, Urbana, IL
I use Print Master to make custom labels for my quilts. Lots of fun.
Peggy Tummarello, Central Valley, NY
I use a Microsoft product called Visio which is a drawing tool. You can customize the scale, there are lots of built-in shapes, stretching capabilities, set precise sizes to a thousandth of an inch, import fabric swatches and countless other bells and whistles. One of the features I use the most is being able to label each section with both the finished size of the piece as well as the size to cut; this saves lots of mistakes in cutting.
Stephanie Leuthesser, San Ysidro, CA
Having access to the best quilting technology out there is no substitute for an artistic vision of what you want to create. Any technology out there is only a tool to be used, like an artist uses a paintbrush. It might make some things easier or faster, but their effectiveness is limited by the creativity with which they are used.
Kari Vojtechovsky, Centennial, CO
I do not use computer applications other than downloading patterns from sites, free or purchased. Being able to use a pattern that is downloaded rather than wait until the mail carrier brings it is awesome!
Susan Kirk, Edgewood, MD
D. Dream Sewing Machines
My dream sewing machine would have to be a new Husqvarna. I sew with a Quilt Designer now and have had her quite a long time, but she is wearing out because I’ve used her so much. I might enjoy a new machine that has embroidery capabilities, but would first and foremost, give me all the quilting options I have now. Ever since I discovered how wonderful the sensor foot is, I can’t imagine ever sewing without it, so my dream machine would have to be another Husqvarna.
Francis Stanley, Slidell, LA
The Husqvarna Diamond Deluxe would be my dream machine. The designer diamond sewing machine has a large extended sewing surface, making it really easy to sew. There are various hoop sizes, which would help me to add variety to my designs. There is an automatic sensor system which senses thickness of fabric and adjusts automatically, making sewing a breeze. With the touch of a button, the adviser sets the stitch parameters per the fabric and the sewing technique you feed in. There is an adjustable light system which helps reduce the strain on your eyes. But the added feature is that the machine comes with 380 embroidery designs and 4 embroidery alphabets in 3 different sizes with both upper and lower case letters.
Rosemarie Garone, West Islip, NY
My dream machine is an Avante longarm. I have a Pfaff 2.0 Expression and am satisfied with what it will do. It meets my needs for piecing and small quilting projects. The Avante 18˝ is big enough for my own personal use but not so big that it would take over the house, since I do not plan on making a business out of my hobby, and not so expensive that I feel it has to pay for itself.
Debra Shirey, Kittanning, PA
If I could make the throat and embroidery area bigger on the Pfaff 2170 I now have, it would be my dream machine.
Sally Eshelman, York, PA
I really do not like the fancy machines. My dream sewing machine is no longer made. It was a Singer sewing machine with the built-in bobbin winder. I hate having to take the bobbin out and wind it on top of the machine. I have a Project Runway Brother machine, and the only thing I would change is the width of the neck to make it easier to quilt.
Amy Kentera, Highland Mills, NY
Gratefully, I have my dream sewing machine. I have a Janome 10000 that I purchased when I retired in 2002. I love the machine and have never wanted to trade it for another.
My second dream machine is soon to be delivered: an Innova longarm quilting machine. After having had another brand of longarm machine, I am more knowledgeable about getting a machine serviced. I rate servicing right up there with brand purchase.
Marti Blankenship, Pleasant Valley, MO
I currently have a Janome Horizon 7700. It is very close to a dream machine. It has a large throat area to allow decent sized quilts to be quilted at home. The “accufeed” system works very well—much, much better than a walking foot on my previous sewing machine. Little things, like needle down when you stop; a choice of using the foot pedal or a start-stop button to make the machine “sew”; being able to move the needle left or right to get the perfect stitching line; good lighting; and a variety of presser feet to accomplish many sewing tasks all add to the ease of sewing with this machine. About the only feature it does not have is a low-bobbin warning. That would be a great addition.
If my house was on fire, I would try to save my 1897 Davis Reliance treadle machine above all my other possessions!
I actually just got my dream sewing machine: a Janome Horizon. It is one of the new ones with 11˝ between the needle and the machine. It has 5 LED lights and a thread cutter. All the feet, etc. store in the top of the machine. It is the most well-thought-out machine I have ever seen.
But I must admit I equally love my 1897 Davis Reliance treadle machine. She still sews as smoothly as when she was new. She has so many attachments I don’t think I will ever use them all. She was the Lexus of her day, and I still love her and love to sew on her. If my house was on fire, I would try to save this sewing machine above all my other possessions!
Diane Bachman, Leola, PA
I have my dream sewing machine. I use the Brother Quattro. I am able to do a lot of editing on screen without going into the software all the time.
Patsy Shields, Sellersburg, IN
I love my Brother 6000D. It has a deep throat, and because it is a sewing and embroidery machine, it does many things. I can also sew when the embroidery unit is connected, so for those times when I have been embroidering and have a little sewing to do, I can just change to sewing and take care of it without having to take apart the machine.
Patti Goggio, Broadlands, VA
My dream machine is a domestic machine with a wide enough area for large quilts to fit in. I love my Bernina 440 QE, but do wish I could manage larger quilts. I think I’d especially love a mid-arm that I could use while seated.
Paula Loges, Sims, NC
I would love a Bernina 710. I think it would be nice to have a wider throat area for machine quilting. The Bernina 700 series has 10” of space.
Beverly Landis, Quarryville, PA
I have been sewing with Berninas for 30 years. I am really looking at a new 750. I like the BSR (stitch regulator for quilting), the larger bobbin, the larger arm opening and the LED lights under the sewing machine arm. It feels like a good fit for my sewing/quilting needs.
Penny Ford, Sundre, Alberta
I’ve loved all my Berninas, but my 820 just takes the cake! Of all its features, it’s the extra-long free arm, that wonderful space, that makes it so fantastic. I don’t use the stitch regulator because I’m a darning foot and feed dogs down girl, nor do I use the computer memory thing, but that extra maneuver room is tops.
Penny D’Aloia, Coburg, Australia
My dream machine is a Bernina 820 QE because of its extra large work area. I also love the jumbo bobbin because it’s less likely to run out of bobbin thread in the middle of a project. The 820 QE also has a stitch regulator for machine quilting. Ah, a little bit of heaven!
The Bernina 759QE has 837 stitches which should see me through to the next millennium!
Joan Paul, Stuttgart, Germany
I just bought the Bernina 759QE, so I think the dream machine is in my house. I love the lighting (which I think could bring in an airplane), the size of the harp, the variable needle positions, scissors, and variable widths and lengths of stitches. It has 837 stitches which should see me through to the next millennium! Also, when I’m using decorative stitches, it shows me on the touch screen exactly where I am in the pattern. Too many features to cover them all, but it’s a beauty.
Marie White, Waiuku, New Zealand
I would love to have my maternal grandmother’s treadle singer machine because I learned to sew on it with her when I was very young.
Pamela Olson, South Windsor, CT
My dream sewing machine would tell me when my bobbin thread is running low. I always run out at the wrong time.
Marilyn Pearlman, Fuquay-Varina, NC
My dream machine is one that you can put a spool of thread on the top and on the bottom for your bobbin thread. They would run out at the same time and you wouldn’t have to change the bobbin all the time!
Linda Ahn, Mohrsville, PA
I’d love an old hand crank machine so I could sit outdoors and quilt.
Debbie Paige, West Springfield, MA
I want a pre-World War II Singer Featherweight. I do not need fancy stitching. I need portability with a dependable straight stitch because I have back issues. I am no longer able to lift my machine from the car and haul it into class. I have audited several classes and gone home to sew, but I would love to be able to sew in class with a Featherweight.
Michelle Harrison, Morganton, GA
I’d want the biggest throat possible to allow for larger quilts and to be able to do free motion quilting. I would want it to have the embroidery feature as I make labels for every quilt. There would be a separate blanket stitch for appliqué, and a large enough post or area to hold larger spools of thread. I currently have a Viking, and I like the automatic sensor for fabric thickness and auto tension. No messing with tension controls. I make clothes for my little granddaughter, and the decorative stitches are nice.
Pam Sievers, Powell, OH
I would love a machine that has a really wide throat space, a few types of stitches but not hundreds, great speed control (going fast when I want and slower when I want), a thread cutter, a bobbin alarm, needle up/down, 1-step button hole feature, built-in extension platform, lots of great feet and a built-in walking foot. That would get all my favorite features of my two machines in one. That would be a dream!
Kari Vojtechovsky, Centennial, CO
Someone is always ready to share a new tip or design on social media. Quilters are some of the most generous people I know.
Leslie Emma, Raleigh, NC
I have often found the answers to problems I was having with a particular sewing method or pattern on a sewing website. The very first year I was a quilter, I could not figure out how to do a binding to save my life. In the wee hours of the morning, a fellow quilter was online and talked me through the process. I have never forgotten that lesson and have talked many others through the process and taught it over and over again.
Susan Chandler, Solon Springs, WI
I find social media extremely important in keeping me up to date with the latest and greatest quilting trends.
I have used YouTube so much when I am stuck on a technique and need a little review.
Seeing my favorite quilting bloggers just gives me a shot of adrenaline and makes me want to run downstairs and create something in my sewing room.
Annette Crain, Spanish Fork, UT
I belong to the Sylvia’s Bridal Quilt Yahoo group. Each week the moderator posts the block for the week. Each quilter uploads a photo of her completed block to that block’s file and also to her own file. I enjoy seeing other interpretations and color choices, and quilters’ comments, and interacting with other quilters through messaging.
Blogging has expanded my quilting beyond my wildest expectations.
MaryJean Bower, Bloomsburg, PA
Blogging has expanded my quilting beyond my wildest expectations. Because of it I’ve tried new techniques and methods I would have never tried without it. I’ve gone way out of the box in quilting since I began blogging.
Candace Pekich, Walla Walla, WA
Blogging is a two-edged sword. It keeps me working on a project so I can show it off to all of my family and friends as I work. I live away from almost all of my family and friends, so they can see what I do on a daily/weekly basis.
Blogging and reading blogs also causes me to have many UFOs when I see so many beautiful projects being worked on by other bloggers. I want to stop what I’m doing and try that new pattern, especially if I have hit a rough spot on my current project, or if I’m at a point that I don’t love, such as basting.
Diane Meddley, Parrish, FL
I don’t blog myself, but when I’m in the mood for some eye candy I enjoy surfing other bloggers and Pinterest.
Melynda Cash, Forest, VA
I am addicted to quilting blogs! They are my main source of inspiration when I can’t sleep at night. There is something for everyone out there, no matter your quilting style. I can be part of a quilting community even if I don’t live around other quilters.
Peggy Quinlan-Gee, Salt Lake City, UT
Reading blogs and entries in social media can offer inspiration for new ideas, as well as encouragement from a variety of quilters, from novice to expert. It is also a “virtual” quilt guild and is available 24/7 for busy quilt lovers.
Signa Ferguson, Pelham, AL
I have learned so much from my Yahoo groups and quilt forums. They’re great places to ask questions and get answers. There are some things I can’t learn from a book.
Emily Galea, Boca Raton, FL
Most of the quilts I make are called Chemo Comforters and are given to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. I post them on my Facebook page for Chemo Comforters to help get out the word that these quilts are available.
Susan O’Keefe, Rochester, NY
