The PatternGrid by the Colorado Quilting Company
The Colorado Quilting Company is proud to introduce The PatternGrid, a clear
plastic overlay to lay on your long-arm quilting table. It is accurately
marked with 1" grid lines in 1/4" increments, to enable more
accurate and much faster quilting. Made from 10 ml transparent rigid
plastic, the dimensions of this single piece are 144" in length by 18""
in width. An accessory kit is also included.
The PatternGrid was designed to eliminate problems with difficulty moving
long rolled patterns, keeping patterns straight, and marking patterns as
needed without marking on the original patterns.
During the design process, other uses were discovered as well -- click on the links
below for more information on other uses:
Accessory Kit (included)
Ruler - We recommend the ruler be used for grid work only.
The residue from the wet erase marker(s) left on the ruler will transfer to fabric.
Wearing gloves while using the marker(s) or washing your hands after each marker
use is strongly advised, as it will eliminate the possibility of transferring marker
residue to the quilt.
Wet Erase Marker - We have included an extra fine tip wet
erase marker for those situations that require high accuracy. Fine tip markers also
work well on the mat, however, they are not as precise. Should the marker(s) need to
be replaced, we recommend only wet erase markers. Dry erase markers can transfer to
the fabric easier as the marks can be wiped off with the slightest touch. Permanent
markers, such as Sharpies, are permanent and will not erase off of The PatternGrid.
However, the use of Sharpies is great on paper.
Spray Bottle - We suggest that water only be kept in your
spray bottle for erasing the wet erase markings. If you choose to use a product
such as a window cleaner, do so at your own discretion and label your bottle properly.
You may want to use your spray bottle for other purposes and would not want to
inadvertently spritz a quilt top with window cleaner!
Non-Abrasive Cloth - Use a non-abrasive cloth to clean The
PatternGrid. Those leftover cotton batting pieces would be great! Be aware that
most polyester battings can be abrasive and may scratch or mar the mat.
Laser Light Application for Pantographs
The use of The PatternGrid for pantograph placement is limited to patterns which
are single line. Interlocking or more complex patterns will be up to the user to
determine if they will fit correctly.
- Place the pantograph under the mat and line it up with your quilt top by
allowing your laser light or stylus to correspond with the hopping foot of your
machine. Determine the distance from one edge of the quilt to the other edge
of the quilt. Mark with a wet erase marker the start and stop points on the grid.
- Determine how many repeats of the pattern and whether or not you will need to
elongate or shorten the repeats.
- To elongate the repeats, find a point on your pantograph that will allow a smooth
laser light transition. If your pattern calls for every repeat to be increased by
1/4", move your laser light to the right (back) 1/4" using your grid
lines for guidance. Continue with every repeat until you have reached the end you
have marked on your grid.
- To shorten your repeats, find a point on your pantograph that will allow a smooth
laser light transition. If your pattern calls for every repeat to be shortened
by 1/4", move your laser light to the left (forward) 1/4" using your
grid lines for guidance. Continue with every repeat until you have reached the
end you have marked on your grid.
Use of Laser Light with Individual Sheet (non-roll) Patterns
The laser light can also be used for placing individual designs in blocks or wherever
you wish, instead of using tear away paper or other methods of marking the quilt top.
- Determine the location of the quilt pattern with regard to the quilt top.
- Place the hopping foot of your machine directly over this area. Let the laser
light or stylus correspond indirectly on the tabletop.
- Place your pattern under the mat using the laser light or stylus to set up the
pattern location and also use the grid lines of the mat to aid you.
- Once you have ensured that you are satisfied with the placement, stitch the pattern
from the back of the machine using the laser light or stylus to follow the
design under the mat.
Note: You can make copies of the same pattern and space them out using The PatternGrid.
Use a freehand design, complementary to the pattern, to connect the patterns.
"Dead-Ending" Pantographs
Some pantograph patterns look best when quilted to the edge (dead-ended) or into
the 1/4" binding seam line. However, when working from the backside of the
quilting machine, it is difficult to determine the actual edges of the quilt top
and the inside 1/4" seam line for binding. Another use for The PatternGrid ensues!
- Place the pantograph pattern under the mat and line it up with your quilt
top by allowing your laser light or stylus to correspond with the hopping foot
of your machine.
- In order to represent the edges of the quilt top onto The PatternGrid, follow
the edge of the quilt top attached to the take-up roller with the hopping foot of
your machine. Moving the machine across this edge will project the laser light or
stylus on the mat in a line. Mark this line onto the mat with your wet erase
marker. It will be your representational quilt. Repeat this procedure for the
sides of the quilt as well. Also mark 1/4" inside this line to represent the
binding seam line.
- To "dead-end" the quilting, you will want to quilt beyond or inside
the 1/4" binding seam line. Use the 1/4" seam area on the sides to make
all starts and stops. If you wish to quilt the next row in the opposite direction,
you can quilt up the side within the 1/4" binding seam area to the next starting point
on your pattern and eliminate a stopping point, and thus, the breaking of the threads.
Note: This procedure works best when "floating" your quilt top.
Custom Designing Your Border
The PatternGrid will allow the users the opportunity to custom design a border using
a wet erase marker.
- Place the mat on top of your quilt to trace the exact border seams of the quilt
using the wet erase marker to mark directly onto The PatternGrid. DO NOT transfer
any markings directly onto the quilt.
NOTE: If the piecing is accurate, you can trace a specific border dimension onto The
PatternGrid while it is on the table, thus eliminating the need for putting the mat
directly on the quilt.
- Once the grid is marked, place the mat on a table or floor and begin placing
patterns or designs under the mat. Experiment with positioning the patterns until
you achieve the desired results.
- Trace the patterns you have chosen directly onto the mat with your wet erase marker.
Be creative by using various types of freehand circles, swirls, lines, etc. to link
your patterns.
- If you have removed the mat, place it back on the quilt table.
- Stitch your custom designed border from the back of the machine using the laser
light or stylus to follow the design lines.
Custom Designing Your Own Side Borders
You can also section your custom designed border (see above) to fit the side borders
of the quilt top, thus allowing the side borders to be quilted along with the rest
of the quilt before advancing the quilt. Using this technique will eliminate turning
the quilt in order to quilt the side borders.
- To determine the measurement of the side length sections you will want to quilt,
first measure the entire side border length. Do not include the top and bottom borders
if you plan to quilt these borders lengthwise.
- Divide the border measurement by a number that will result in a quotient that is
easy with which to work. For example, a side border of 70" in length could have
14" sections repeated 5 times.
NOTE: Keep in mind that the average quilter can reach approximately 15" across the
quilt and 18" is the maximum throat clearance of most long-arm quilting machines
without the extended bases attached. You must determine the maximum clearance that is
best for you.
- Design your side border section on paper.
- Place your paper design under The PatternGrid and line it up with the sides of
your quilt using your laser light or stylus to correspond with the hopping foot of your
machine.
- Stitch the side borders from the back of the machine using the laser light or
stylus to follow the design lines.
NOTE: It is recommended that the side borders of the quilt should be quilted before
any heavy quilting is performed on the inside of the quilt. This stabilization can
help to prevent flared borders.
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