Category Archives: Longarm quilting

Tips for people who are learning how to use longarm quilt machines.

How To Choose The Right Used Longarm Quilting Machine?

November 3, 2023Longarm quiltingused longarm quilting machinesAlanna Nelson

When it comes to quilting, having the right equipment is essential. A longarm quilting machine is a significant investment for any quilter, and finding the perfect used machine can be a game-changer for your quilting projects.

At Burlington Electric Quilters, we understand the importance of choosing the right longarm quilting machine, especially when looking for used longarm quilting machines for sale.

Let’s go through the process of selecting the perfect machine for your quilting needs.

Know Your Quilting Needs

Before you start hunting for a used quilting machine, take some time to assess your quilting needs. Are you a professional quilter looking for a high-performance machine, or a hobbyist in search of a more budget-friendly option? Consider factors like the size of your projects, the complexity of your designs, and your available space.

Research Trusted Brands

Gammill is a well-known and trusted brand in the quilting community, and their used machines often hold their value. Research various brands and models, read reviews, and ask for recommendations from fellow quilters. This will help you narrow down your options and focus on quality machines.

Inspect the Machine Thoroughly

When looking for used longarm quilting machines for sale, inspect the machine carefully. Check for signs of wear and tear, such as rust, loose parts, or unusual noises. A test run is an excellent way to ensure the machine operates smoothly.

Understand the Stitching Features

Different longarm quilting machines come with various stitching features. Consider what you need, whether it’s basic straight stitching or advanced automated quilting patterns. Be sure to choose a machine that suits your skill level and project requirements.

Inquire About the Warranty

If possible, buy from a reputable seller who offers a warranty on the used machine. This will provide peace of mind and protection against any unexpected issues that may arise after your purchase.

Price Comparison

While it’s tempting to choose the cheapest option, be cautious. Sometimes a slightly higher price might be worth it if you’re getting a well-maintained machine with valuable features.

Seek Professional Advice

If you’re unsure about which longarm quilting machine to choose, consider seeking advice from experienced quilters or machine technicians. Their insights can be invaluable in making the right decision.

At Burlington Electric Quilters, we offer a selection of high-quality used longarm quilting machines for sale, including Gammill machines. Our team is dedicated to helping you find the perfect machine to enhance your quilting experience. We understand that choosing the right machine is a significant decision, and we’re here to provide guidance and support every step of the way.

With careful consideration and research, you can confidently choose a used machine that will inspire your creativity and take your quilting projects to the next level. Happy quilting!

Why Should You Join Our Longarm Classes at Burlington Electric Quilters?

September 18, 2023Longarm quiltingBurlington Longarm quilting classes, Gammill Longarm classesStudio

Are you tired of the traditional way of quilting, hunched over your sewing machine, wrestling with your quilt like it’s a stubborn sausage casing?

Do you yearn to take your quilting skills to the next level?

Well, look no further than Burlington Electric Quilters, where we offer Longarm Quilting classes that will transform your quilting experience.

We conduct group classes to introduce quilters to the wonders of operating Gammill Longarm machines. Participants learn how to easily load their quilts, quilt their own unique motifs, and follow intricate pantographs.

You can visit our website to learn more about our Gammill Longarm classes.

Discover the Art of Longarm Quilting

In our private longarm coaching sessions, you will embark on a journey of discovery.

Here’s a glimpse of what you will learn:

Pinning Mastery: We’ll teach you the art of pinning your quilt top and back to zippers, ensuring a secure and smooth quilting process.
Loading Expertise: Learn the intricacies of loading the quilt top, batting, and back onto the longarm frame, setting the stage for a seamless quilting experience.
Machine Control: Gain proficiency in starting and stopping the longarm machine, giving you complete control over your quilting masterpiece.
Motif Magic: Discover the secrets of preparing your quilt sandwich for motifs, and even experiment with quilting across your top using pantographs or your own free-motion designs.

The best part?

Your introductory class is priced at a very minimal price and includes valuable quilting time on your very own quilt top and back, using a hand-guided machine. Don’t have a quilt top ready to go? No worries! Simply bring a piece of muslin or select one of the charity quilt tops that we have available at Burlington Electric Quilters.

Embracing Group Classes

At Burlington Electric Quilters, we believe in the power of a quilting community, and there are distinct advantages to learning in a group setting. In a group class, you have the unique opportunity to learn not only from our expert instructors but also from your fellow quilters. When it comes time for your first rental on the longarm machine, our instructors and fellow quilters will assist you in loading and quilting, creating an experience that feels almost like a one-on-one session.

While we’re excited to offer group classes, we understand that individual circumstances vary. For those who are unable to attend a class or have specific needs, we continue to offer one-on-one coaching. These personalized sessions ensure that you receive the attention and guidance you require to master the art of longarm quilting.

Ready to elevate your quilting game and embark on a journey of creativity and skill?

Join us and experience the joy of longarm quilting, where your quilting dreams can become reality. Stand tall as you effortlessly guide the longarm across your quilt, and welcome to the world of Burlington Longarm quilting classes!

Christmas Quilts 2022

November 22, 2022Longarm quiltingGift Certificates, holiday quiltingAlanna Nelson

It’s that time of year again! The 2022 Christmas quilt deadline is December 6, so call now to make your appointment to drop off your top.

Even if you’re still piecing, make your appointment to drop off your top so it’s wrapped and ready for Christmas.

Burlington Electric Quilters will be closed on:

Closed on December 24, 25 and 26, 2022 (Saturday through Monday)
Closed at noon on December 31
Closed on January 1 and 2, 2023

While you’re at it, hint that you’ve got a wonderful idea what they can get you for a gift 🙂

Burlington Electric Quilters has gift cards that can be used on quilting services, studio rentals and batting. Available in the amount that fits your beloved’s budget, these gift cards turn works in progress into finished objects (aka WIPS into FOs).

Speaking of FOs, take a peek a couple of Christmas quilts Louise made that are currently for sale at Burlington Electric Quilters..

batik quilt with stain glass blocks with green border

Christmas wall quilt with gold, red and green print fabric

Dreaming of your own longarm?

November 18, 2022Longarm quiltinglongarm quilting, Statler StitcherAlanna Nelson

So you want your own longarm quilting machine?

It happens. Visions or your own longarm quilting machine dance through your head. You want one… now!

These visions may appear as you look at the pile of tops, neatly folded in a closet. Or you imagine a Statler Stitcher humming in the next room as you make dinner or piece more quilt tops. Maybe you’re at Burlington Electric Quilters… it’s time to go home and you don’t want to take your quilt off the frame. You just want to keep quilting!

Louise can help make these visions reality. She’s a certified Gammill Sales representative who can answer your questions, help map out your quilting space and your longarm quilting goals.

A longarm machine is quilting joy – and responsibility.
Louise

Louise reminds you:

Pros of Longarm Ownership	Cons of longarm ownership
Quilt anytime you like!	Longarms take up a lot of space. Relocating them when you’re not using them is time consuming.
Leave your quilt on the frame.	You need to build your own thread and pattern stash.
Customize and experiment to your heart’s content.	You’re responsible for basic maintenance and troubleshooting.
Get to really understand your machine.

Like any choice, there are pros and cons of owning a longarm quilting machine

What is Louise’s advice? Rent longarm quilting machines to build your skills. Try both the Statler Stitcher and the hand-guided machines. Benefit from her experience, explore patterns for the Statler and hand guided machines. Enjoy the Burlington Electric Quilter’s thread collection. Try a longarm subscription to see if you really will quilt as much as you plan.

Get a few quilts under your belt. Make sure you’re comfortable with loading, rolling and quilting, threading the machine and changing needles. Once you’re comfortable using the machine, take it to the next step.
Louise

You can make your dream of owning a longarm quilt machine reality. Contact Louise to learn more.

In person classes are back!

April 4, 2022Longarm quilting, Offers and Salesclasses, longarm quiltingAlanna Nelson

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.

Longarm Quilting Classes

January 17, 2022Longarm quiltingGammillAlanna Nelson

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!

2021 Holiday Deadline

November 15, 2021Longarm quilting, Statler Stitcherholiday quiltingAlanna Nelson

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!

15 New Statler Quilting Patterns

July 19, 2021Longarm quilting, Statler Stitcherdigital quilt patternsAlanna Nelson

Velvet-Statler Stitcher quilt pattern at Burlington Longarm — Velvet

Van20Gogh - Burlington Electric Quilters allover pattern — Velvet

Just wanted to share the fun new options you now have for your quilt tops. Our Statler Stitcher pattern collection includes 15 patterns that you may not have seen in our Statler Pattern Catalog. There are always so many tempting edge to edge digitized quilting patterns, and we’ve got selections from Sweet Dreams Quilt Studio, Willow Leaf Studio, and Anne Bright Designs, plus old favorites.

I also chose a border pattern that sizes well and has an interesting corner ornament, if custom digitized quilting is what your need for your heirloom project.

Make your appointment to drop off your quilt top and choose your thread and pattern. Call 781.229.0734 or click over to the contact page to set up a time.

Masked and ready to quilt

June 4, 2021Longarm quiltingCOVid guidance, masksAlanna Nelson

Back from vacation and ready to quilt! It’s exciting to know that the Massachusetts COVid guidance changed while I was gone. At this time, I’m fully vaccinated, but believe I can offer the safest quilting experience by keeping up the COVid protocols I adopted a while back.

What does the Burlington Electric Quilters COVid safe environment include?

We’ve always been open by appointment only and will remain this way.
Masks over nose and mouth for everyone inside the studio.
Hand sanitizer available for everyone.

Yes, this is more conservative than the current guidance, but many of you have health concerns. I want to provide the safest studio for all quilters. I’m happy to keep up the protocols that have kept Burlington Electric Quilters a healthy place during the pandemic.

Thanks for your understanding and cooperation. Looking forward to seeing your quilts and you soon!

Our Statler patterns are now online!

November 8, 2018Longarm quilting, Statler StitcherstatlerLouise

To see all available Statler patterns, click on the menu item “Statler Pattern Catalog”. Each of the links on that page bring up approximately 100 patterns that are available. Pattern designations are as follows:

e2e
- edge to edge patterns. This includes patterns that are nested when set up.
b2b
- border to border – patterns that can fit inside a border. Contains no nested patterns.
blocks
- patterns or motifs that can fill a block. Includes squares, rectangles, triangles, diamonds, etc.
border/corner
- these patterns can be used to quilt a border separate from the interior of the quilt. Most of the border patterns also include a corner pattern that can be used with the border.
sashing
- similar to borders/corners, but smaller and less complex.
posts
- similar to blocks, but smaller and less complex.