I notice quilting.  Ever since I became a longarm quilter, that is the first thing I notice now instead of the last.  Prior to becoming a machine quilter, I focused on the fabric, the design, and the style or “flavor” of the quilt.

Now, I get a chance to hang out with longarm quilters everyday.  They run the Gammill machines in at my studio/showroom.  They come in to buy supplies for their longarm quilting businesses. 

But, more importantly, they share their talents and tips and excitement for the quilting industry with me and my staff.  And because I own Cranberry Quiltworks, a Gammill quilting machine dealership in Southern California, I get a chance to hang out with extremely talented quilters everyday.  I learn something new every time I go to work.

One of my customers, Pam Dransfeldt, of the Joyful Quilter, owns two Gammill machines (one is a purple one--see above photo!) and is one of those incredibly talented quilters I admire. 

She recently quilted a quilt for a fabric and pattern designer that was featured in September 2007 issue of The Quilter Magazine.  I thought you might be interested in reading about the experiences of a longarm quilter. 

Pam, has been quilting for 7 years, but retired from the medical field in 2005 and started quilting full-time.  She has two Gammill machines in a living room filled with threads, templates, books, etc…  It is very exciting to have your talented works showcased and published in a magazine..Great job Pam!

Here is Pam to tell us more: 

“There is nothing quite like the pressure of completing a quilt under a strict deadline. Nothing like a deadline to get a job/quilt done!  Its exciting quilting for a designer, but the process can be so fast paced. 

A while ago, while attending Quilt Market, I was asked by fabric and pattern designer and author, Jane Tenorio-Coscarelli, (Jane designs fabric for Telegraph Road Studio) to quilt for her. Jane's company is called Quarter Inch Publishing.

Jane launched a new fabric line and put a quilt together as soon as her new fabric line arrived, then forwarded it on to me for quilting. 

I had to complete the quilt and return it in time for The Quilter Magazine photo shoot and publication deadlines. (Ed note: I understand the pressure that both Jane and Pam are under…because the fabric literally arrives from the manufacturer just days or hours before a project needs to be done to be sent to market or to a photographer!) 

It is so exciting to receive a quilt made from a brand new fabric line, try to choose a quilting design to enhance the fabulous quilt and bring it to life but not take away from the design of the quilt top and to show off the new fabrics. 

I got to know Jane over the years at the numerous quilt shows that I attended.

Her patterns are so much fun, and I love her books with the stories and the quilts at the end of each story. 

I have done several patterns now for Jane. One of her other patterns was published in McCall’s Quilting, Feb. 2007.  (see photo at right) And I have two more quilts of Jane’s, waiting to be done!

I have also quilted several patterns for Sheri Bignell, one in her book French Country Farmhouse Collection, and From the Desert to the Sea, for the Southern California Quilters Run, 2006, and a pattern called Tic-Tac-Toe.

I have also worked with Dawn Navarro-Ericson, on her book that is due out in 2008 through Martingale Publishing Company. 

My plans for the future include taking classes, and more classes. You can never stop learning new things on the longarm.  There is always something new.  I plan on attending Innovations, a machine quilting show in September in Washington State. 

I would like to take a bit more time to do my own projects.  But I don't think I will ever get tired of quilting. 

As a machine quilter, I find inspiration in the work of others. I buy magazines and books with examples that I can use for ideas, and motivated, I try to return the favor to others. 

Thanks for sharing your story Pam.

Pam is also a Gammill sales representative (email Pam at:PJQuilt7@aol.com) for my shop and it is a pleasure to have her demonstrating and showcasing the possibilities of machine quilting to people who are interested in learning more about longarm machines.

(Quilts shown are courtesy of The Quilter Magazine and McCalls)

"Piñata Babies" and "La Cocina"

Designed by Jane Tenorio-Coscarelli
Quilted by Pam Dransfeldt of the Joyful Quilter
Fabric courtesy of Telegraph Road