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8 Signs You Might Need to Hire a Longarmer

Writer's picture: Tara McInerneyTara McInerney

Not all quilting projects require the expertise of a longarmer, but if you have been mulling over whether or not to hire one, this list might help you make the decision.


1. Your pile of unquilted tops is heaping


If you have an overwhelming growing pile of quilts that you are trying to keep from taking over your closet, it might be time to cull through the stack. You can always donate the finished tops you know you won't use to a local charity and make a plan to attack the ones you can conquer with your domestic machine--the smaller ones are a good place to start. Then, you could bring over a top or two to your longarmer to help get that pile in check. Make a plan to have the least precious ones done in a simpler motif. If you're worried that this will only create a larger, to-be-finished pile, consider asking your quilter to do the binding, too. You didn't spend all that time making the tops to have them hiding in a closet. Let's get them into the laps of your loveys!




2. You don't currently have the confidence to quilt the project you need finished


Even if you love quilting, you may feel anxiety at the thought of running that paper-pieced Tula Pink collection under your domestic machine at this point in your learning curve. You could opt to hand-quilt it, if you have the time and skill, and you are not in a hurry, or you could brush-up on your domestic quilting skills and wait until you are confident to finish it.

Alternatively, you could hire it out! Your quilter will love ogling all your fabrics and will take care not to stitch in the ditch on your teensy hand-stitches. Your friends will be wowed at your finish, and you can be sure your quilting will showcase your brilliant piecing!




3. Your sewing machine has a teensy-tiny throat space



Like me, most quilters start with a basic machine that has a very small throat space, unless they bought their machine specifically to quilt. There is plenty to learn on a small sewing machine. I really encourage you to discover and develop your walking-foot and free-motion quilting on smaller projects before tackling larger projects. If you love it, you have great justification for investing in a machine designed to accommodate larger quilts down the road. Unless you are hardcore, fighting a big quilt into your machine's wee accommodations might not appeal to you.


If this sounds like you, then you could go a couple of routes: If you like meditative handwork, some lovely big-stitch quilting could also be the solution for you. With a simple hoop, some dedication, plenty of breaks, and the tv for company, you can finish a big project in a reasonable amount of time.

If hand-stitching is not your bailiwick, then why not hire it out. Your longarmer will be happy to add a paisley or a swirl, a meander or a flourish to get your quilt finished in a fraction of the time it would take for you to do it yourself.




4. You are under a time crunch

You somehow underestimated how much time it would take to squeeze piecing your best friend's wedding quilt into your schedule between hockey practice, work and laundry. No worry, your longarmer will greet you with a smile and get it done on time!




5. The quilting design you dream of would not be well-executed using your current equipment situation


Some designs are much harder to execute on a longarm than on a sit-down machine--for example, a huge spiraling circle is best stitched using a walking foot, while others really are much better executed on a longarm. If the issue is not your motivation, or skill set, it could be that you just don't have the best equipment to make your vision take shape. If the best equipment for the job is a longarm, then go see a longarmer who can work with you to make it happen.


6. You have a passion for piecing


Not everyone has an interest in the quilting step of quilt-making. If you are a piecer through and through, there is no need to apologize. There are lots of quilters like me, who love that step so much they want to quilt everything they see. Let those FMQ folks free up your time so you have more time to keep on piecing!





7. You find it physically uncomfortable to quilt with your current setup.

Wrestling your quilt under a machine that is not ergonomically set up for you can be exhausting. There are all kinds of body parts that cramp up during quilting if the setup is not right. Necks, shoulders, backs, hands and eyes can take a beating if your sewing station is not up to snuff. If you are doing walking foot quilting with lots of changes in direction, it can take hours. Not to mention the challenge of basting your quilt which can often involve crawling around on the floor. Pins are hard on your fingers and the floor is hard on your knees. Not into that? You have options here. You can do an ergonomic assessment of your quilting space and improve your setup if for you, quilting makes your heart sing. You can also hire your longarmer to do your basting for you. If you're not up to the physical challenge, you can always pass the job on to someone who has an ergonomic setup and the means to get it done quickly. Your hobby is not supposed to be ouchy!




8. You inherited an unfinished top from Grandma


Oftentimes we inherit a partially finished project from loved ones. My mother-in-law had left a half-hand quilted top and three tops in various stages of completion--All hand-pieced. They sat in her closet for decades and then moved to mine for years. When did I finally decide to finish them? When I finally had a longarm in my studio! If you don't have the setup, and no plan to gain one, then hiring out to get that precious quilt on display is your best option.



As Steve Jobs once said, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” Do the great work you love the most in quilting. If you love it, you'll keep getting better and better at it. If you love it enough, you'll find a way to get the equipment you need to keep improving. Years ago, quilting bees always shared the workload of quilt assembly and quilting. For today's quilter, working with a longarmer is like a little two-person quilting bee when you need it. Remember, many hands make light work, and can free your time, your mind and closet space to help you focus on what you enjoy most about your beloved hobby!


 


Tara McInerney is a Niagara Region hand-guided longarmer who would be happy to help make your quilt shine with free-motion handguided longarm quilting!










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