Burlington Electric Quilters custom quilting on starry night pattern

Custom Quilting on Starry Nights

Customers' Quilts,

Custom quilting is an everyday joy at Burlington Electric Quilters. If you’re already using the Statler Stitcher, maybe you’re enjoying the wide range of patterns that Louise has available. Louise loves playing with the Creative Studio program, mixing and matching patterns to highlight quilt details for an heirloom custom quilt. Let me share what she did with Pat F.’s Starry Night Quilt.

Starry Night Quilt Pattern from Sew Kind of Wonderful
Nativity scene quilt custom quilted by Burlington Electric Quilters
Louise custom quilted to complement Pat F.’s beautiful piecing

All of those gorgeous pieced curves give this quilt a quiet, cozy vibe. Starry Night gives a modern touch to a nativity scene. Using the white background, you feel traditional quilt. The colored mix of prints and semi solids for the blocks add whimsy and interest. Clearly, Louise and Pat took time to create their quilting strategy.

An allover background quilting pattern on the white background keeps the focus on the piecing. The star in the manger is simply echo quilted, letting that bright yellow pop. But look carefully at the custom choices to quilt the camel, the donkey and the sheep. It’s more densely quilted, so each animal doesn’t puff up. She uses the same technique on the faces and garments of the wise men. The fabric patterns may blend with the quilting, but the overall impact is perfect.

If you have a special quilt top and would like to have it custom quilted, make your appointment to see Louise for custom quilting. Together, you will choose motifs, textures and thread color. Then, Burlington Electric Quilters will transform your top into a gorgeous custom quilt.

Double Wedding Ring Quilt

Customers' Quilts, Statler Stitcher, ,

Can you list just one wonderful thing about the Double Wedding Ring quilt pattern? Looking at Martha’s custom machine quilting and gorgeous piecing, I frankly couldn’t choose just one.

Bali wedding star quilt in gradient shades of blue and tan batik fabrics on white background.
Martha’s beautiful double wedding ring quilt

This pattern is actually a Bali Wedding Star, first designed by Judy Niemeyer in 1996, then reissued in 2014. It combines the classic double wedding ring pattern with an eight pointed star. This block is perfect for paper piecing.

In Martha’s quilt, the gradient use of the batik fabrics is striking on the creamy white background. Did you notice that the double wedding rings have a different arrangements of fabrics to create the gradient movement? What a beautiful combination of glow yet calm that soothes and excites at the same time. And that’s just the piecing!

Look closer, because Martha took an equal amount of care with the custom quilting using the Statler Stitcher. Clearly, this is not the first time she’s played with the programmable options on a long arm quilting machine. Dense quilting gives texture to both the piecing and the background.

Louise says, “Martha’s been doing custom Statler work, dropping patterns into the shapes on the Bali Wedding Star quilt and adding custom border work as well.”

  • Detailed custom quilting pops on solid, light backgrounds
  • So many quilting details!
  • Quilted motifs surround wedding ring connections
  • Even the checkerboard border gets quilted

As you might imagine, Martha made this as a wedding gift for her daughter.

Embroidered wedding date & names on Martha's custom quilt
Embroidering the couple’s name and wedding date is an extra heirloom touch

A wedding quilt is a special, and it was the perfect opportunity for Martha to take her Statler Stitcher experience and let it shine. What will she quilt next?

Hats off to Martha for a stunning quilt, and best wishes to the couple for a joyful and happy life together.

Happy Birthday to us!

Quilt Shows
Save 5% on quilting services April 2022 at Burlington Electric Quilters

Celebrate! In April 2017, Louise opened her doors as Burlington Electric Quilters. She’s grateful for the five years of quilts, stories and stitches and wants to celebrate.

Make your appointment for quilting services now through April 30, 2022 and receive 5% discount on all quilting services.

Whether you’re dropping off your top to be quilted or reserving time on the Statler Stitcher or other Gammill hand guided longarm quilting machines, come celebrate with us.

Call or email to make your appointment now.

In person classes are back!

Longarm quilting, Offers and Sales,
List of 2022 Longarm Quilting class dates north of Boston

Introduction to Longarm Quilting Class

Pick your Saturday morning, and enjoy a small group, hands on quilting experience. Louise looks forward to the wonderful energy that every group class brings. Learn more about the three hour longarm quilting introduction, and choose your class.

The lesson costs $75. Register for an upcoming Longarm 101 Quilting class by calling (781) 229 – 0734 or email: louise@burlingtonelectricquilters.com. You can send in the longarm quilting lesson registration fee or deliver it to Burlington Electric Quilters, 264 Cambridge St. Burlington, MA 01803.

Of course, we continue to monitor the COVid protocols, and may need to be flexible with dates. If Burlington Electric Quilters chooses to change the dates due to COVid and you aren’t able to find a date that works in your schedule, we will refund your class fee.

Quick cutting with AccuQuilt

Offers and Sales, Perfect Quilt

Who wants precise, trimmed fabric pieces so they can start sewing blocks?

If that’s you, come on over! We have a wide range of quilt dies so you can cut quilt pieces quickly with AccuQuilt.

Louise purchased the Studio Cutter 2 shortly after Burlington Electric Quilters opened its doors. She loves the precise pieces and already-trimmed corners. Here are a couple of the quilts that used AccuQuilt for quilt piecing.

  • Half square quilt – Postcards
  • Rent AccuQuilt cutter at Burlington Electric Quilters
    Happy Valentine’s Day!

Never heard of AccuQuilt? Well, get ready for some eye-popping advantages.

  • This quilting tool slices your fabric cutting time by up to 90%. Whenever she has half square triangles, the AccuQuilt is Louise’s tool of choice.
  • It trims the corners of pieces, reducing the time it takes to sewing components together.
  • It’s easier on your wrists and shoulders than rotary cutters.

How does it work? Watch how the AccuQuilt cutter slices so many triangles in a snap.

See how quickly Ohio Star block pieces are cut using the AccuQuilt cutter

The AccuQuilt Studio 2 Cutter at Burlington Electric Quilters has hearts, squares, parallelograms, triangles and more shapes to meet your piecing or appliqué requirements. If you’ve got a specific block in mind, let Louise know, as she probably has the right mix of dies ready and waiting.

Ohio Star quilt made with AccuQuilt by Burlington Electric Quilters
Ohio Star quilt top

Ready to learn more about the AccuQuilt? Their website has plenty of how-tos, free patterns and encouragement to get you started. Then turn to your stash and play with the possibilities.

AccuQuilt pieces are a great way to use layer cake, jelly roll and charm packs – not to mention the fat quarter bundles that your stash may be hiding.

Linda C came into the studio last year and thought it was a “game changer.” Cutting half square triangles quickly excited her for new quilt patterns.

  • Cut with AccuQuilt
  • Cut HST at Burlington Electric Quilters with AccuQuilt
    Sewed into HST
  • One of Linda’s finished quilts


“Bring on the patterns full of Half Square Triangles,” she declared.

Maybe you don’t want to start a new quilt, but turn to your WIPs with new inspiration. Want a flying geese border for a king size quilt? Suddenly this could happen in just a fraction of the time. Or maybe you started a T-shirt quilt and haven’t trimmed the blocks. The AccuQuilt cutter makes that job easier, too.

Are you ready to cut quilt pieces quickly? The first five people who leave a comment on the blog post will receive a free hour on the AccuQuilt cutter.

Leave your comment, gather your fabrics and get ready to cut quilt pieces quickly with AccuQuilt.

Passion & Puppies Inspire Quilts

Quilt Shows,
Jed Stephensen mushes in Idaho
Photo by Crow Fox Photography

What inspires us to quilt? Do you find quilt inspiration in your passions? Philosophical, perhaps, but each of us finds meaning and purpose differently. Burlington Electric Quilters finds inspiration in Jed Stephesen’s journey to race the Iditarod.

What does the 938 mile dog mushing race have in common with quilting? Like quilting, mushing is a passion that captures your heart, body and imagination. There are many pieces to sew together in order to qualify for such a competitive race. Caring for his dogs and preparing himself for mushing frames Jed’s family life in northern Idaho. Like many of us, quilting every day is part of our “training” to make the best quilt ever. Inspired by his father’s adventures and literature, Jed’s passion will hopefully lead him to the finish line in Nome, Alaska.

Jed’s father is Louise’s cousin, which brings his story to Burlington Electric Quilters.

“Isn’t he amazing,” Louise asks? “I’m so impressed.”

Burlington Electric Quilters chose to sponsor Freya, who was named after the Nordic goddess of love, fertility and fine material possessions. That’s a great fit for a longarm quilting business!

A mushing team at the Iditarod has fourteen dogs, with at least five actively pulling the sled at one time. It brings to mind the 12+ Puppies quilt that Louise made for her daughter.

Burlington Electric quilters grey and white puppy quilt
Throw quilt inspired by the Elizabeth Hartman’s Puppies pattern in grey and white

While they may not be mushing dogs, this quilt will keep you warm. Louise’s addition of the black paw prints contrasts nicely with the grey and white blocks that have a pop of pink. The semi-solid background highlights the detail and texture of the “Dog Bones” longarm quilting pattern. Well done, Louise!

If you’re inspired by Jed’s story, you or your business can sponsor Jed’s passion before turning back to piecing your next quilt. Good luck to Jed, and may our passions lead us all to inspiring places.

https://jedstephensen.com/join/
Quilt puzzle block template using a longarm quilting machine

Longarm Quilting Classes

Longarm quilting
Longarm quilting machine class at Burlington Electric Quilters

Are you tired of crouching over your sewing machine, shoving a basted quilt sandwich around like a sausage? Are you ready for a new quilting skill? Then call Louise and schedule your private class to learn how to use a longarm quilting machine.

In the pre-pandemic days, Burlington Electric Quilters offered group classes to show quilters the basics of loading a quilt on the Gammill machines. Each quilter would experience the joys of easily quilting their own motifs and following a pantograph. After the class, you could reserve a block of time to quilt your next top. Louise adapted her introduction to longarm quilting class and now offers a private four hour session at the same price.

What will you learn in your private longarm coaching session?

You’ll learn how to:

  • pin your quilt top and back to zippers
  • load the top, batting and back onto the frame
  • start and stop the longarm machine
  • prepare your quilt sandwich for motifs
  • quilt across your top using a pantograph or your own free motion motifs.

Your introductory class costs $100 and includes quilting time on your own quilt top and back using a hand guided machine. Don’t have a quilt top ready? No problem! Just bring a length of muslin or choose one of the quilt tops for charity that Burlington Electric Quilters has on hand.

While the group camaraderie isn’t the same, this new format allows you to start quilting immediately, rather than booking a second session to work on the longarm individually.

Build your quilting skills and stand tall as the longarm glides across your nice, flat quilt sandwich – welcome to the world of longarm quilting! Learning how to use a longarm quilting machine isn’t difficult, but many first time quilters have a moment of insecurity. May we offer a few suggestions to make your first longarm quilting experience less stressful?

How do you reserve your private coaching session on the longarm machine?

Call Louise at 781-229-0734 or email her at louise at burlingtonelectricquilters.com. We ask for a 50% deposit at the time of the class reservation, with the remainder due when you arrive for private session. Don’t forget to bring your mask!

5 Tips for New Longarm Quilters

Quilt Shows

When you rent a longarm quilting machine at Burlington Electric Quilters, we help beginners as well as experienced quilters. Some quilters want an opinion when choosing thread colors. Others appreciate a hand when loading the quilt. When it’s time to face the screen… you and the longarm will quilt together.

Burlington Electric Quilters Gammill Vision 2 screen
Gulp!

When it comes to hand guided quilting, some of our new longarm quilters feel a bit of stress. Makes sense, right? They’re trying something new, and this is their first time on a longarm. Never fear, we’re here with:

5 Tips for Beginning Longarm Quilters

  1. Start with a flowing quilting pattern. Organic, flowing shapes that suggest a motif are great for many quilts. You can practice smooth, consistent movement across the quilt which results in lovely, even stitching. From there, practice points and smaller scale, complex patterns.
  2. Begin with a simple quilt top. Practice makes improvement. Save your quilt top with 5,000 pieces that will be a family heirloom for the day when you have more experience. If you don’t have a quilt top ready, use muslin or a choose a charity quilt top for your beginning longarm quilting.
  3. Remember that everyone was once a new longarm quilter. You’re new to longarm quilting – don’t expect perfection. Everyone’s first longarm quilting experience varies. Even if you’ve been machine quilting, it takes time to adapt.
  4. Relax. Are your shoulders hunched, or your jaw tight? Exhale twice, long and fully. Shake out your arms and legs. Longarm quilting can be really pleasurable. Our hand guided machines all have adjustable table heights for a physically comfortable experience.
  5. View your quilting on horseback. If mistakes aren’t visible while galloping on horseback, everything’s fine.

Remember, you’re renting at Burlington Electric Quilters. Whether you are a beginning longarm quilter or an award-winning expert, we’re here to help!

Gift Certificates at Burlington Electric Quilters

Gift Cards for Christmas

Quilt Shows

Let them know…

It’s time to get Christmas gift cards at Burlington Electric Quilters!

Yes, you can buy Burlington Electric Quilters’ gift certificates. Yes, they are available in any amount over $10. So, let everyone know that you’d really appreciate getting a quilt top finished, and a gift card for Christmas would fit just right. Our gift cards can be used for quilting services, longarm rental, batting and classes.

Frequently, important people in a quilter’s life (ahem) are last minute shoppers. Never fear, there are no supply chain issues or shipping problems here. Just call us at (781) 229-0734 and let us know the amount. Then head over to the studio and the card will be waiting. This week, we’re open regular hours (including Saturday from 9 – 5).

During the week before Christmas, we’re open on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday during our regular hours. We will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas, but open regular hours the week before New Year’s. If you’ve got a holiday between Christmas and the New Year, you just might get an appointment and use the gift certificate right away!

Actually, our gift cards are available year round. You can give them to your favorite quilting buddies. A gift certificate is a sweet way to thank wonderful Guild volunteers.

When you stop by to pick up or redeem your gift card, don’t forget to pick up the Burlington Electric Quilter swag we have for 2022. Calendars, rulers, jar openers and the ever popular ice scraper are useful and a fun way to keep our phone number at hand.

2022 ice scraper and calendar - Swag from Burlington Electric Quilters

Here’s wishing everyone a joyous Christmas and Quilty New Year.

Christmas quilted cushion covers by Burlington Electric Quilters

2021 Holiday Deadline

Longarm quilting, Statler Stitcher
Appliqued red patterns decorate the reminder of November 24 deadline for quilt top delivery

You’re busy piecing and stitching those borders. Hurry up! Quilt tops for holiday gift giving should be at Burlington Electric Quilters by November 24, 2021. Louise knows you have good intentions and she wants to help make it happen. So, make your appointment now to choose your longarm quilting pattern and thread colors. Contact Louise and then you can get back to your sewing machine.

When your appointment time comes, what do you need to bring? Your top, the quilt back and ideas of quilting motifs that strike your fancy. If you already have batting, bring that, too. If not, Burlington Electric Quilters sells batting by the inch. You can also check out our handy guide to preparing your quilt for longarm quilting. A top that’s pressed and squared quilts well and with no delays. Don’t forget that your back should be 10″ longer and wider than your quilt top.

If you plan to rent a longarm machine to quilt your top, it’s also a good idea to reserve that time now.

And, if you’re making a holiday list, don’t forget that Burlington Electric Quilters has gift certificates!