Dear friends:

      Thank you for visiting my website. You are either a quilter like me or an admirer of quilts or both. My quilting career began back in 1980 after I purchased "Log Cabin in a Day", by Eleanor Burns. I knew, before I got married, I would never inherit a family quilt, so I set out to learn how to quilt and become a quilter myself. Piecing beautiful quilt tops takes a lot of time, hard work and money. I would be honored to finish your quilt top for you, a family member or friend.

My primary business is providing a quality hand-guided machine quilting service for finishing quilt tops for those who enjoy the designing and piecing aspect of quilting. I can repair some family heirlooms, but it is a case by case decision. I do many start to finish quilts from t-shirts, photographs and patterns for those whose time and ability are limited. I have done some teaching, and mentoring others has always been a fun part of my business. You as my customers have already created beautiful quilts and I will work with you to customize a design to fit your quilt.

Real-Quilts specialize in customized quilting, I enhance your quilt top pattern by hand-guided outlining, stippling, inset designs, separate sashing, border and corner designs, pantographs or customized design for you. My long arm sewing machine is a completely hand guided quilting machine and allows me to add as much creativity to your quilt as you would like. Together we can create a quilting style specific to your quilt or theme. I have standard quilting patterns for you to choose from or I can work with you to draw out an original design!

Long arm quilting starts with the quilt top and quilt backing that are pinned or floated on separately to fabric leaders (one of three 14 foot roller bars). Then your choice of batting is sandwich between. I am proud to use an American Professional Quilting System, "Ultimate 1 with an Intellistitch Turbo CL" (Specialized Stitch Regulator) long arm quilting system. I can use a laser light to follow a pantograph quilting pattern, for a repeating edge to edge, row by row pattern from the back of the long arm quilting machine. The custom work is done from the front of the machine, includes stippling, meandering patterns, echo, feather, freehand design, stitch in the ditch or quilt design motifs.

My machine head travels on a carriage moving along the table by means of wheels and can go 360 degree movement over the quilt top.

A technique called "Floating the quilt top" provides minimal stress on the patchwork top while quilting. I also recommend that the edge of the quilt be stabilized with 1/4" stitch around the edge so seams do not separate. With long arm quilting, a quilt requires more quilt backing and batting than it would for a domestic sewing machine. This is why I request an additional 8" to 10" on both sides of all quilts backing and batting. It is not fun when there is not enough batting or backing to finish a quilt.

Many customers have their quilts machine quilted by professional quilters for any of these reasons:

• Like to design and piece tops, but not enough time to hand-quilt.
• No quilting experience.
• Inherited quilt tops and would like to have them finished.
• Machine quilting is stronger and better wearing than hand quilting.
• Tops pilling up in closets and drawers.
• Do not want to quilt large quilts on a domestic sewing machine.
• Do not have training on machine quilting.
• Kids will use them and the quilts will be on the floor more than beds.

Real-Quilts Sewing Services:

• T-Shirt quilts, for sports participated in, college and high school memories. Sports fan frequently have too many T-shirts. This is one way to display what you enjoy and not have to part with those beloved shirts. You send me a box of shirts and I send you back a completed quilt.
• Photograph Quilts and collages, with your photos (new, old or digitalized) and your input can create a lasting memory in quilts or pillows. There is no damage to the original photographs and they are returned to you.
• Comfort quilts from love ones clothing, either living or deceased, which also could include written memories on fabric and photographs.
• Special Events: Weddings, Anniversary, Graduations, Retirement, Reunions, and Fund raisers. You pick the event and I will work with you to make it a pleasant and memorable experience.
• Quilting your top for you and/or binding it.

Please feel free to contact me to discuss your quilt or any quilting ideas you may have!!

Thank you again for visiting my website. Please come back and visit us often.