Also at that show I had several long time members come up to me and make negative remarks about me submitting a quilt not hand quilted. Some of these friends I held in high regard and I was a bit upset for a brief time. Now I can laugh because back even then I saw that by mastering machine quilting I could now make all the quilts I wanted. I never held the prejudice against those quilters whose remarks stung. After all I am the one that allowed such unenlightened comments to harm me. Instead it instilled in me a desire to refine my techniques even further and prove them wrong. No matter what field we strive to have our voice heard there would be those that put up walls for us to make us firmer in our convictions. Granted switching from hand to machine quilting is simply a small example of finding a technique that works for you and envisioning the possibilities that await you. I also caught a glimpse of endless possibilities when I got my first computer.

I love machine quilting and can go deep inside in mediation just as hand quilting allowed. The process is slightly different but the end results are the same...connecting to our spirit.

Q. Do you have any advice for quilters trying machine quilting for the first time?
A. Make sure your machine is in good running order, you have all the proper tools, and remember 95% of the problems you encounter learning the technique you create, not your machine. There are many fine books out on machine quilting so educate yourself before you try.