12.12.2010

Give Away Day - with Sew Mama Sew

 We're joining in and giving away one Spirit Layer Cake by Lila Tueller for Moda fabrics!
There are two ways to enter to win this Layer Cake.
1- Become a follower, if you already are, then you are already entered to win. (no comment necessary)
2- Leave a comment asking one question you'd like to ask a Long Arm Quilter.

If this is your first time to stop by my blog don't forget to check out our Block of the Week, starting January, 2011.

Good luck!
Hope you all have a happy day!

Don't miss our sale @ Piece N Quilt!
For more fun updates sign up for Piece N Quilts newsletter.
Leave a comment, we'd love to hear from you.
~Natalia
{Connect with us}



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238 comments:

  1. my question: how quickly can you do a king-sized quilt on your long arm?

    katherine.gibson at gmail

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  2. How much square foot space does your machine take up? What would you consider the minimum working space needed for a long arm machine including space for the quilter to operate the machine?

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  3. How did you get started? What made you take the leap to using a long-arm?

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  4. My question is what made you decide to become a long arm quilter and how long did it take you to become comfortable doing custom quilting?

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  5. What is your biggest issue/complaint when quilts are submitted to your for quilting OR what is your best tip for quilters in preparing thier quilt for quilting?

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  6. How much did you pay for your machine?

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  7. I had the same thought as Di, what is the best thing we can do before handing over our quilts to make it easier for you?

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  8. Is long arm quilting hard to learn?

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  9. How difficult is it to learn how to long arm quilt?
    Hugs,
    Kerry
    kerrykatiecakeskeb43@gmail.com

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  10. I am so new to quilting that I don't even know what s long arm quilter is even though I had my grandsons quilt done by somebody who uses a long arm quilting machine.

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  11. I am a follower, but I'm not a follower on "friend connect". I follow through my google reader. :) jody.edwards@yahoo.com

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  12. I too, would love to know how you got started?? & the cost of quilting, say a Queen size quilt??
    LOVE your work... your patterns & choice of fabrics are fabulous!!

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  13. I am already a humble follower. I want to know when you do custom quilting how do you plan the design?

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  14. What kind of thread do you use for quilting on your long arm?

    PS I'm already a follower!!

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  15. Do you practice drawing a pattern first to get comfortable with the stops and starts and turnarounds?

    Loyal Follower here..

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  16. I would ask, how long did it take you to learn enough to be comfortable quilting on the long arm machine?

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  17. How did you decide which long-arm quilting machine was right for you, size, price, capabilities, etc.?

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  18. Thanks!

    I'd like to know if vintage fabrics or scraps from clothing hold up well enough to quilt with.

    P.S. I LOVE your AMAZING quilt. It's fabulous!

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  19. I actually have two questions...first, how much room do I need to have to get a machine of my own? And second, how much does it weigh? Would it be asking too much of my house to have it on a second floor?

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  20. my question is how long did it take you to learn how to use the longarm? i've been wanting to learn for a while... thanks for the giveaway! so fun!

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  21. I would like to know how long it takes to quilt, say, a queen-size quilt? And how long did it take to learn?

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  22. What is your favorite design to quilt?
    tmsatterwhite@hotmail.com

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  23. How long did it take you to get so good? Watching your videos, it looks like you just whip through it without even thinking about what you're doing. You are awesome

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  24. If you could change 3 things about some of the quilt tops you receive what would they be? I am sure my long arm quilting lady would need a ream of paper to list hers. :)

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  25. Question for long arm quilter?
    How much fun is it!

    It looks way cool fun to me.

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  26. What made you decide to make the jump to get a long arm machine?

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  27. I'm with all the "how long did it take you to learn" and "is it as easy as you make it look" askers.

    But also, how many quilts to do do a month?

    And how do you stay so stinkin' thin and cute? Wait, that has nothing to do with long-arm quilting...or does it? ;)

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  28. "to do do"?...hahaha! Let's try "do you do".

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  29. My question would have to be what's your ultimate, favorite way to receive a quilt to be quilted? You open up the quilt that was shipped to you and say "ahh, they did it just right!"

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  30. What was for the criteria for the long arm quilting machine you chose and has it fulfilled what you hope?

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  31. What is your favorite go to panto that seems to look good on many quilts? Thanks for the chance to win.

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  32. What feature on your machine can you not live without?

    I am so excited about your block of the week.

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  33. How do you go about quilting a custom quil?

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  34. What a great giveaway, love the comments for this one! I am a longarm quilter and I often ask myself "What the heck were you thinking when you bought that machine??!?!?!" :)

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  35. I love the cowboy quilting! The hats, the boots..... My question is how do you learn and where do you keep it?

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  36. What was the most difficult part of learning to use your machine? Think I would like to have one but am wary of the learning curve.

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  37. Ok how do you determine where to start when you are quilting so that your quilting designs come out even and balanced, especially when you are doing a repeated pattern?

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  38. Do you have to be good at drawing to be good at long arm?

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  39. Already a follower! Love reading anything by a fellow Utahn!

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  40. And my question would be, how do you get those designs and patterns so perfect freehand!?

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  41. Is quilting something that comes naturally, or do youspend all day thinking of designs and practicing?

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  42. First visit to your blog - great quilts so I became a follower!

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  43. LAQ amaze me! My question? What would we do without you!!!! Hugs

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  44. Is it better to tell the quilter what thread and pattern to use, or is it better to let her pick them?

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  45. Do you free hand or draw most of your designs onto the quilt to be quilted? Merry Christmas!

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  46. How do you stop and start smoothly without leaving a point or a jag?
    Thanks...Paulette

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  47. my question: what is the best longarm to buy?

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  48. How did you start with your very first quilt? Did you do it by hand or on a small sewing machine?
    -Laura Beech

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  49. Is using a long-arm as fun as it looks? Not a very technical question, but I always think it looks like you're having a great time doing what you do!

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  50. Dear longarmer

    what percentage of quilts that you LA for others ask you to just "do what you want" for the quilting?

    denise/deBRAT
    PS thanks for the giveaway i just LOVE layer cakes!

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  51. Is the actual quilting part easier to do long arm than short arm?

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  52. How do you decide what to quilt if given the option to quilt what you want?

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  53. I am sure you use your already favorite brand of long arm, but what would be the best for someone who is looking for one for a non-business, amateur and a economical choice?

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  54. Do you have a favorite brand of machine and what type of expense is invloved in starting out?

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  55. How long did it take you to "get the hang" of long arm quilting?

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  56. I'd like to have a checklist of sorts for quilters before handing the components over to you for quilting.

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  57. How do you decide what designs to use when someone sends you a quilt to quilt.

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  58. What kind of thread do you use and how long does it take you to do an all over pattern on a queen size quilt?

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  59. Do you actually roll all 3 layers, or do you let some float free?

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  60. Are the all-over quilting patterns something that is built into the machine, or something you do freehand?

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  61. Whar brand of thread do you use?

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  62. My question would be...do you avoid quilting over bulky seam intersections or does your longarm cruise right over them?

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  63. I am a very happy follower!

    Love your fabric giveaway too!

    SewCalGal
    www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

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  64. This may seem like a strange question, but as I was asked recently, after giving a presentation to a quilt guild in So. Cal. I wanted to pass this question on to you.....

    What should a new longarmer do to start their business? (eg. do they really need to have a website before they start, what tips would you advise for them to start their business).

    SewCalGal
    www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

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  65. I'm not familiar with how a long-arm machine actually works: are the quilt patterns computerized or is it all done by freehand motion?

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  66. What are some annoying things that you wish the quilters didn't do before sending a quilt to you to quilt?

    kirsten_13@hotmail.com

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  67. I want to learn how to long arm but my budget doesn't allow for me to buy one at this time- any tips for getting into it without making the large purchase?

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  68. I'm a new follower...looking forward to getting to know you through this wonderful blog.

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  69. When you do an all over quilting design, is that something that you do freehand? Or are there patterns that you use, and how does that work?

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  70. How long did it take you to learn how to quilt well? You do amazing work!

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  71. What's the best way to hand-quilt a big quilt? And how to get precision with little strips?

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  72. how did you learn to long-arm quilt? are you self-taught through dvd, etc. or did you take classes/have a mentor teach you?

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  73. Lovely giveaway, thank you. What feature do you value most on your machine? What could you do without?

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  74. Did you have natural artistic (drawing) ability before you started quilting? I don't think I could ever make the designs look good.

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  75. Lovely giveaway, thank you. When did you make the jump to a long arm?

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  76. Great giveaway! Have you had more than one machine and is so what was your favorite?

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  77. What would you recommend to someone who wanted to get started? Which machine?

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  78. How did you get started?

    annedemps(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  79. So far I've had the opportunity to work on a long arm machine three times and actually quilt some of my own quilts. What a thrill! But I can't for the life of me remember how to bring the bobbin thread to the top of the quilt when I'm finished stitching! I can do it at the beginning of the stitching, but no matter how hard I try, I just can't do it at the end! My mentor and helper and wonderfully patient teacher and owner of the machine I use is so good to me and still lets me use her machine anyway! I just love it! I'll be moving up to panto designs next time I go up for a long arm session and I can't wait!

    MGM

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  80. wow, all the questions !!! I guess my question would be ....how do you get your quilting designs so even? I dont know much about long-arm. And I am already a follower, love your blog.

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  81. Your quilting is so fabulous, how long did it take you to get there? What is your best advice for somebody that would love to learn long arm quilting?

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  82. My question for you , Natalia , is : how did you get so good at long arm quilting ???? AND , I can't wait to send you a quilt next year !!!! yay !

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  83. I'm a new follower! I love the fabric and your blog! I can't wait to send my mom over to see it:)

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  84. Well I just added you to my reader, but I will google follow as well. :) And a question. I am just amazed by what you do. Is everything freehand? How do you come up with the designs (like I never would have thought of quilting cowboy boots and hats!)

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  85. Do long arm quilters like it when the quilters do all the prep work, (like sizing the batting, sewing the back together, etc) or would you rather just do it yourself and have it "done right"?

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  86. Interesting questions! I'm a long arm quilter too. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  87. So my question is, have you ever been asked to quilt a quilt that you have no clue what to quilt on it and what do you do when it happens?

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  88. How do you decide what kind of custom quilting to do? Do you have any personal rules that you follow when quilting a customer quilt?

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  89. How much space would I need for a long-arm machine? And how quickly can you quilt (like square feet per hour or something)?

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  90. How many weeks can you quilt in a week?

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  91. I'm already a follower. :) Longarm question... Hmmm. Why did you start? Were you just tired of quilting on a little sewing machine, or did you always long-arm?

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  92. Do you piece any quilts for yourself or do you spend most of your time quilting for others?
    jessica (at) homfamily (dot) com

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  93. What do I need to do to get my quilt ready for you to quilt it? What do I send you when I am ready???? I have a quilt that I need to send you so you can quilt it for me!!!

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  94. do you think it was worth it, buying the big machine? should i consider buying one?

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  95. My question would also be about the start and stops? How do you hide them? It always ends up looking like a big knot of fabric on my machine from the backstitching.
    BTW - Fabulous giveaway!! I have never sewn with a layer cake...Thanks!!
    mugirl113 at gmail dot com

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  96. I am also a subscriber now! Yea!

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  97. I love layer cakes! My question is a personal one: how did you afford/justify the expense of your machine? I want one desperately but think of how many quilts I would need to quilt on it to break even! Help me justify it or figure it out :-) I test drove one at a recent show and fell in LOVE.

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  98. My question: Are you getting any sleep this month!?

    haha

    Hope you are having a great day!

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  99. MY QUESTION: How do you hide the starts +stops?

    jldouglas@wispwest.net

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  100. FOLLOWING YOU!

    jldouglas@wispwest.net

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  101. I follow your blog and love seeing all of the amazing quilts.

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  102. Did you take a class to learn how to use a long arm machine before you made the decision to buy one?

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  103. The one question I would ask is - do you ever have a sale?

    I love your work, but cannot afford it! =(

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  104. How long does it take to put a quilt in the machine???

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  105. How long does it take to quilt a quilt? :) Thanks a bunch

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  106. question... mmmm.... can I come and have a go? (this is a rhetorical question only as I live too far away :-)(I am allready following you too)(love your quilting btw)

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  107. My question-- How did you get interested in long arm quilting and what were your start up costs?

    blog follower

    Desiree
    weeshareblog@gmail.com

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  108. How long does it usually take to finish a quilt?

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  109. Do you ever have trouble remembering exactly what/how you did the top of the quilt once you're at the bottom?

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  110. Do you sit or stand while you quilt?

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  111. how soon were you comfortable quilting with the long arm....

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  112. When you put a quilt on the machine, where do you start? Do you baste down the edges first? Do you start in the center or work from one end to the other?

    Sorry--that was more than one!

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  113. I would like to ask a long-arm quilter exactly how one should bring the top, batting and backing to them for quilting. Should it be basted or pinned or what.

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  114. What is the first thing you try when you your top thread continues to break?

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  115. Do most people have an idea of what designs they want when they send you a quilt, or do they let you decide?

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  116. The question I'd like to ask a long arm quilter is: If you were buying a mid/longarm for home use, which one would you purchase?

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  117. My question for a long arm quilter .... how the heck do you do that?

    b.

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  118. Happy follower! Love your blog!

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  119. How much space do you need for one? And whats your typical turn-around time for a queen quilt?

    The ones at my LQS seem like they'd take up my entire bedroom.. lol. And its around a 1-2month turn around time per quilt. Worse during the holidays [obviously]

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  120. How do you choose what design to put on a quilt if the maker says just go for it. pamspinks.blogspot.com

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  121. I'd like to know the best way to square up a backing before sending it to the Longarm Quilter.

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  122. Do long arm quilters prefer certain batting and why?

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  123. Merry Christmas Natalie. I ordered a kit with Spirit from you earlier this year and gave it as a gift. I'd love to win some "Spirit" now to make something for me!

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  124. I think I know the answer, but is it worth learning how to use a long-arm? Or should I just let me LQS do it for me?

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  125. How long does it take you to finish a queen size quilt?

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  126. Do you feel that you have to have some arts background to do all the beautiful LA quilting??

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  127. How hard is it to learn long-arm quilting?

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  128. Lots of good questiions on here. I didn't read them all, but hope you blog some answers. I press my seams open instead of to the side. Does that cause any problems on a longarm?

    Billie

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  129. Love the fabrics!! michelleleejensen@msn.com

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  130. Have you been able to cover the cost of it by charging for your services?

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  131. What is your favorite design to quilt using the long arm?

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  132. My question: Do you consider a low thread count bed sheet suitable backing for a quilt?

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  133. How long did you practice before quilting with a long arm? Stipple quilting on a regular sewing machine scares me. Great giveaway! Thanks for the chance to win!!!

    Happy Stitching!!!

    galew417@comcast.net

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  134. I'm a follower already, however, I'd like to know how does one know when they are ready to make the leap into long arm quilting??

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  135. Here's my question: would you quilt my quilt? LOL Do you do free motion? If so, any tips for newbies?

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  136. My question would be: How long does it take for a beginner to get the hang of using the long arm machine?

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  137. My question - how long did it take you to learn to do the long arm quilting?

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  138. My question, when you do an all over design, do you do the design freehand or do you use a pattern and follow it with the little lazer deal?

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  139. I have a long arm machine too, where is yours set up? home or a shop?

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  140. I would ask... "what is a long arm quilter?" because, being new to quilting, i have no idea...

    jshen37 at gmail dot com

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  141. happy follower!
    blessed.mama4 at yahoo.com

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  142. I like Joella's questions. But I'd also like to know how hard is it to learn? How long did it take you to feel comfortable and ready to quilt for others?
    blessed.mama4 at yahoo.com

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  143. Is machine quilting "easier" on a long arm?

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  144. Does quilting as a business make quilting for yourself less fun?

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  145. I'm curious to know (as a person who just got a short-arm quilting machine) if they started out on a short-arm and then moved up?
    Thanks for the chance to win!

    superkyra21 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  146. Do you ever experience "snags" with your machine? Does it ever get fussy or is it pretty mellow?

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  147. What kinds of patterns can you do? Stars, for instance? Thank you for the giveaway!

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  148. I am already a follower of your blog.

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  149. I would like to know if you do your designs freehand.

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  150. Long arm quilter - have to be here in Malaysia becasue I want to but how to get the equipment here without any hassle.

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  151. How do you find the time to make these gorgeous quilts?!?

    wimseyfan(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  152. What kind of mid or long arm machine would be a good investment for a newbie to long arm quilting?

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  153. My long armer questions: how long does it really take to quilt a queen size bed quilt using an all over stipple design? What goes through your mind when selecting the best quilting pattern for a quilt? I am a follower. Alternate email mlwright29 (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  154. I want to teach myself to quilt. What's the best way to start?

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  155. What is your favorite thread and batting for use with the long arm?

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  156. Great giveaway! I really enjoy reading your blog through my google reader! I just have one question... what are some of your pet peeves about flimsies submitted to you to quilt.. what are some tips for a new customer who is wanting you to quilt for them :)

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  157. What percentage of quilts do you do with a computer pattern vs. free hand?

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  158. Also... I'm a follower now too. Thank you

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  159. Great giveaway. I would have so much fun with that.

    Anyway, question for a quilter: How do you start/stop without the stitches fraying?

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  160. What is the best advise you can give for someone thinking of purchasing a long arm machine.

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  161. How long did it take you to recoup your investment? Or how many quilts did you have to quilt to pay off the machine?

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  162. I'll be looking forward to your answers. One day when I have space I would love to 'advance' to a long arm.

    So here goes....

    How do you know where to start?- Once you have space, how do you choose your set up- machine - frame - etc and start to sew???

    Cheers

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  163. What can I do to make your job easier when I prepare my quilt top? Thanks for the giveaway. Great fabric!

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  164. How do you keep the top and backing straight as you roll it up on the rollers.

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  165. jhoseyheitzman(at)gmail(dot)com

    thank you for the giveaway!

    ?: what's the best thread to use?

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  166. Is a longarm machine easier to quilt with than a regular sewing machine?

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  167. As a very new (weeks) sewer, what is the easiest quilt block to start with?
    Thanks for the opportunity!

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  168. How long does it take to get a quilt ready to quilt and is it difficult. (really 2 questions). thanks.

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  169. How long does it take to finish a king size quilt? Thanks for the chance!

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  170. How much space is ideal for a long-arm quilter?

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  171. Do you draw your pattern out by hand and then wing-it on the machine?

    If you're in my Google Reader is that an extra entry? I just can't bring myself to do the Follow thing.

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  172. I've always wondered...do you program the machine with a pattern and it does the work or do you trace a pattern and follow it?
    Thanks for the chance!

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  173. Hi There I'm already a follower...you guys rock!

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  174. I really want to know how they learned. I really want to buy my own long arm quilter...I've been saving forever for one. Now that I'm ready to buy I'm kinda scared. How did they know how to set up the table, how to operate all the bells and whistles that aren't on my little Bernina. I feel a little bit like this might be one of those trades you just have to learn standing next to a master.

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  175. My question: are you not addicted to quilting when having a long-arm quilter?

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  176. I just became a official follower :-)
    (i already followed you through my google reader)

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  177. Even though it's been asked multiple times, my question would be how does one learn how to long arm quilt? Are there classes for that, or did someone you knew teach you? Did you just decide one day that you wanted to learn and buy a machine and figured it out(Sounds silly, but that's usually how I learn!LOL).

    Great giveaway!

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  178. How do you attach a round tree skirt needing to be quilted to your long arm machine?

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  179. What is the one thing you, as a long arm quilter, think that someone thinking about starting long arm quilting needs to know?

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  180. Do you have a designated room for your long arm and it stays up all the time? Could the average person w/o a special long arm room make it work?

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  181. What is the number one thing that people need to do (or not need to do) to their quilt top when they bring it to you to be quilted?

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  182. My question is this: I just finished my first quilt top. What do I need to do to prepare for a meeting with a long arm quilter? Do I need to bring backing and batting? Can the long arm quilter do the binding too? sarahbethe AT yahoo dot com

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  183. My question would be do you draw out a detailed design of how you are to sew a quilt, or do you sometimes let the design come to you?

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  184. I love your blog & am already a follower, yay! question for a longarm quilter? hmmmm how long did it take for your machine to pay for itself? how's that?

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  185. Q: How did you get into long arm quilting?

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  186. I'm already a follower and how much per square inch?

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  187. I know very very little about quilting - so what is the difference between long arm quilting and not long arm quilting??

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  188. question... what's your favorite kind of custom quilting to do?

    thanks for the giveaway!

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  189. How much thread do you go through (on average) for one quilt?

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  190. How much does a longarm machine cost and how long does it take to quilt a quilt?

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  191. How big of a room does your long arm take up?

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