Paper Pantographs - How to Choose a paper roll Panto for Beginners
If you're new to longarm quilting--or if you are a beginner when it comes to stitching out paper roll pantograph designs--this article is for you!
There's never been a better time to be a longarm quilter. There are so many longarm quilting machines, products and fabulous pantograph quilting designs available to choose from. At the same time, you need to slow down and really think about this before spending a small fortune on paper roll pantos because it's very easy for beginners to be seduced by complex, complicated designs.
Do you want to reduce your frustration and disappointment while you learn?
We humbly offer the following suggestions for your consideration.
As a beginner, when you look at or consider choosing a pantograph design, start with the overall size of the design. The size should be indicated in the product's name or within the "more information description". Designs may as small as a couple inches or may be 16 inches or more. Now, you must consider your machine's throat space. If your machine has a 12 inch throat space, there is no way you can use a 16 inch design. In fact--depending on the size of your quilt--if your machine has a 12 inch throat space you "may" not be able to even do an 8" design because you will have to account for the quilt rolled on the bar within the throat space and the amount of space it will take up as you proceed to quilt-roll-quilt-roll-to the end of your quilt.
Next, really look at the panto design you are considering. If the design is very dense (lots of closely-spaced quilting lines that need to be very precise in order for the design to look good), or if it has lots of sharp points or spikes, and/or if it has lines that need to precisely backtrack over each other, it's going to be much more difficult to follow. We recommend beginners choose designs that will build their confidence instead of contributing to their frustration and disappointment.
Just like anything else, as your confidence and skills increase, you will be able to start using more complicated and intricate designs. There simply is no substitute for practice, practice, practice in the beginning when it comes to using paper roll pantos. Want an easy to follow design? Choose one that is larger--but still can be accommodated by your machine's throat space--and one that is more open, flowing (without a lot of directional changes) and simple.
There's never been a better time to be a longarm quilter. There are so many longarm quilting machines, products and fabulous pantograph quilting designs available to choose from. At the same time, you need to slow down and really think about this before spending a small fortune on paper roll pantos because it's very easy for beginners to be seduced by complex, complicated designs.
Do you want to reduce your frustration and disappointment while you learn?
We humbly offer the following suggestions for your consideration.
As a beginner, when you look at or consider choosing a pantograph design, start with the overall size of the design. The size should be indicated in the product's name or within the "more information description". Designs may as small as a couple inches or may be 16 inches or more. Now, you must consider your machine's throat space. If your machine has a 12 inch throat space, there is no way you can use a 16 inch design. In fact--depending on the size of your quilt--if your machine has a 12 inch throat space you "may" not be able to even do an 8" design because you will have to account for the quilt rolled on the bar within the throat space and the amount of space it will take up as you proceed to quilt-roll-quilt-roll-to the end of your quilt.
Next, really look at the panto design you are considering. If the design is very dense (lots of closely-spaced quilting lines that need to be very precise in order for the design to look good), or if it has lots of sharp points or spikes, and/or if it has lines that need to precisely backtrack over each other, it's going to be much more difficult to follow. We recommend beginners choose designs that will build their confidence instead of contributing to their frustration and disappointment.
Just like anything else, as your confidence and skills increase, you will be able to start using more complicated and intricate designs. There simply is no substitute for practice, practice, practice in the beginning when it comes to using paper roll pantos. Want an easy to follow design? Choose one that is larger--but still can be accommodated by your machine's throat space--and one that is more open, flowing (without a lot of directional changes) and simple.
Birds of a Feather PAPER longarm quilting pantograph design by Timeless Quilting DesignsWas $16.95 $15.89 On Sale!
Main Take-aways:
Simple, open designs can be beautiful too! Remember, when you remove unnecessary frustration from the equation and allow yourself to learn on easier designs, you will have more energy to focus on other aspects (thread tension, quilt staying flat and keeping wrinkles out) and you will enjoy the entire process so much more. Be patient with yourself. When you enjoy the process, you will practice more. When you practice more, you will get better. When your skills get better, you can increase the complexity of designs and stitch them out with much less frustration and much more joy. Who doesn't want less stress and more joy in their life?
The difficult and complex designs above are stunning when stitched out and they are great "goals" to set. BUT, instead of trying them before you've developed the skills required, we strongly recommend putting time in on easier designs that will help you both develop your skills and enjoy the process as you learn.
Compare panto quilting to learning how to swim. Some people learn to swim by being thrown in to the deep end of the pool, lake or middle of the ocean. Will some people will learn to swim this way? Yes, it's possible. Will it be pretty? NO! Will it be easy? NO! Will it be fun? For most people, no...this is not a fun way to learn how to swim. It is quite traumatizing! Is it even possible some people may start to drown, need to be rescued and never attempt to swim again by using this method? Yep.
Now, contrast "being thrown in to the deep end" to learning how to swim by receiving proper instruction and learning at your own pace. You build confidence. You receive support from peers and a qualified instructor who has your safety and best interest at heart. You have a GREAT chance for success and enjoying the process as you learn. Without being traumatized.
Starting with pantos that are appropriate to your own personal level and those that reinforce your abilities while practicing (daily when possible) will provide gradual skills improvements which will build your confidence.
BUILD A SOLID FOUNDATION AND LOVE YOUR PANTO QUILTING EXPERIENCE!
When you enjoy the process, you will practice more. It goes without saying that when you practice more, you will get better. Take your time, be kind to yourself, make the required efforts, practice, practice, practice and build a good foundation for yourself. You are worth the time and effort it requires. So are your quilts!
Simple, open designs can be beautiful too! Remember, when you remove unnecessary frustration from the equation and allow yourself to learn on easier designs, you will have more energy to focus on other aspects (thread tension, quilt staying flat and keeping wrinkles out) and you will enjoy the entire process so much more. Be patient with yourself. When you enjoy the process, you will practice more. When you practice more, you will get better. When your skills get better, you can increase the complexity of designs and stitch them out with much less frustration and much more joy. Who doesn't want less stress and more joy in their life?
The difficult and complex designs above are stunning when stitched out and they are great "goals" to set. BUT, instead of trying them before you've developed the skills required, we strongly recommend putting time in on easier designs that will help you both develop your skills and enjoy the process as you learn.
Compare panto quilting to learning how to swim. Some people learn to swim by being thrown in to the deep end of the pool, lake or middle of the ocean. Will some people will learn to swim this way? Yes, it's possible. Will it be pretty? NO! Will it be easy? NO! Will it be fun? For most people, no...this is not a fun way to learn how to swim. It is quite traumatizing! Is it even possible some people may start to drown, need to be rescued and never attempt to swim again by using this method? Yep.
Now, contrast "being thrown in to the deep end" to learning how to swim by receiving proper instruction and learning at your own pace. You build confidence. You receive support from peers and a qualified instructor who has your safety and best interest at heart. You have a GREAT chance for success and enjoying the process as you learn. Without being traumatized.
Starting with pantos that are appropriate to your own personal level and those that reinforce your abilities while practicing (daily when possible) will provide gradual skills improvements which will build your confidence.
BUILD A SOLID FOUNDATION AND LOVE YOUR PANTO QUILTING EXPERIENCE!
When you enjoy the process, you will practice more. It goes without saying that when you practice more, you will get better. Take your time, be kind to yourself, make the required efforts, practice, practice, practice and build a good foundation for yourself. You are worth the time and effort it requires. So are your quilts!
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"SEW THANKFUL" and the SewThankful Logo are the Federally Registered Trademark/Servicemark of SewThankful Inc.
Copyright 2000 - 2024 Tracy L. Chapman & Sew Thankful Inc., all rights reserved.