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A pantograph is an overall design that is stitched through the 3 layers of a quilt. The quilting is done from side to side, top to bottom, over the entire quilt without regard to the pieced or appliquéd design of the top. A paper pantograph is placed on a table attached to the back of the quilting frame and a light similar to a laser pointer is fastened to the machine. The quilter then moves machine, which is also attached to the frame, up and down the length of the frame using the light to follow the pattern printed on the pantograph. Often the quilt itself is not examined until after an entire row of the pantograph has been sewn. After one area is quilted, the quilt, which is on 2 sets of rollers, is rolled to expose an un-quilted area and the whole process begins again.
Design boards (also known as Groovy Boards) are used in the same manner as a pantograph but rather than using a light to trace a pattern a stylus is inserted into the groove of the board. Our design boards are made of a strong, light-weight PVC like material with nonskid backing. Multiple boards can be connected end-to-end to make longer boards.
The three keys to becoming proficient at using pantographs and design boards are practice, practice and practice. This is the only way to achieve the skill needed to sew neat, uniform stitches in a variety of patterns and shapes. If you decide to try long-arm quilting, don't worry about staying exactly on the pantograph lines for your first few tries. Concentrate on getting the feel of the machine and the rhythm of the design. Ultimately, you will find a method that best enables you to make your quilting continuous and smooth.
Whether quilting for oneself or others, a quilter needs a variety of pantographs and/or design boards from which to choose. Just as most piecers wouldn't want to use the same fabric over and over again to make different tops, most quilters would not want to stitch the same pantograph or design board design onto every quilt. The right quilting pattern will relate to one or more aspects of the quilt-fabric, design, color or theme-in such a way that the overall look of the quilt is enhanced. Distinctive and exceptional quilting patterns will always set your quilts apart from others - click here to see our unique selection of pantographs or click here to see our unique selection of design boards.
