In March 2024, I purchased a longarm quilting machine. I have quilted on a couple of different longarm machines in the past, but this is the first time I have owned my own. A pile of “Works in Progress” (aka WIPs) along with several quilts from friends mark the first quilts I worked on as I began to learn and manage my Innova M24.

Above are the first two quilts of mine that I quilted with programmed edge to edge designs. The Gracie fabric quilt on the left is about 15 years old! The large single block courthouse steps quilt is about 6 years old. Edge to edge design: Gracie quilt – Baptist Fan by Innovatech, Courthouse Steps quilt – Wishbone by Longarm League.

The next two quilts were also from my WIP pile. The quilt on the left is about 6 years old and was made as part of a sew along with Sharon Holland and Maureen Cracknell. The quilt on the right was made using an ombré jelly roll by Vanessa Christenson of V and Co. I was trying to think of an interesting way to use and showcase this fabric so I created this simple quilt. This quilt is about 3 years old. Edge to edge design: Sampler quilt – Thread Garden by Longarm League, Ombré Rainbow quilt – Together from Longarm League.

The next three quilts were made by my friend Leah of Handwoven by Leah, HBL Designs. Leah is a quilt designer and pattern writer whose designs incorporate solid fabrics and have a modern feel. Leah and I worked together to decide on the edge to edge design as well as thread colors. I’m so happy I was able to quilt these quilts and try out different quilting designs. Edge to edge design: Chevron quilt – Orange Dream from Longarm League, Pride quilt – Baptist Fan from Three Sisters Fabric, Cognac quilt – Together from Longarm League.

The next quilt to go “under the needle” was a Snail’s Trail quilt made by Christi. She and I worked together to determine thread color as well as an edge to edge design. Edge to edge design: Snail’s Trail quilt – 3 Leaf Clover by Innovatech.

The last quilt is also by Christi and is made from the Tall Tales Quilt Block which is an FPP (foundation paper piecing) designed by Kate Basti. Kate is a good friend of mine and I have made many of these Tall Tales blocks in my own quilting adventures. Additionally, I’ve seen hundreds (maybe thousands?) of these blocks and quilts on Instagram over the years. Having the chance to handle and quilt out a completed Tall Tales Quilt is a privilege! Edge to edge design: Tall Tales quilt – Mister Marbles by Longarm League.

Some closing thoughts about this new journey. I did not realize how much I would enjoy getting to handle and see in person completed quilt tops by other quilters. I feel like I’m experiencing my own private showing. As a quilter myself, I know the time, money, and enery that goes into creating these works of art and utility and I’m grateful to be able to call this my job!
Happy quilting and crafting! ▶︎ ▶︎ ▶︎