Hello, Everyone! Today I want to show you my new toy. Isn’t it fun when we get something new to play with!
Last month I purchased a Pantograph for my longarm. It is a laser light mounted to the sewing head. A paper pattern is utilized; it is unrolled and laid on the table (that’s part of the frame). A second set of handlebars is assembled on the back side of the sewing head; I work from that side of the table. Basically, you move across the quilt, tracing the pattern on the paper with the laser light, sewing as you go.
![](https://www.lisahelenquilts.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/DSCN1943-1024x768.jpg)
At the left you can see the laser light attached to the machine head- it looks like two small black cylinders crossed. That light points to the pattern sitting on the frame table, and then see the stitching, as it transfers onto the quilt.
![](https://www.lisahelenquilts.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/DSCN1938-1024x768.jpg)
![](https://www.lisahelenquilts.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/DSCN1948-1024x768.jpg)
![](https://www.lisahelenquilts.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/DSCN1945-1024x768.jpg)
I really enjoy this tool, I can buy (and create my original) patterns. It elevates my longarm skill. I have already longarmed a quilt using the Pantograph. It will be in a blog post in the near future.
I want to give credit to the Pantograph pattern you are seeing here: Pattern name- Drift by Keryn Emerson available at www.GoldenThreads.com item# ROLL-KE-RD126
I’m excited to move down my quilting road with my new tool! Using my sketching skills to design my own patterns interests me as well. I have a beautiful Patriotic quilt top that I made at a Mystery Quilt class in 2019; I’ve been pondering the longarming ever since. I even bought the quilting thread, the quilt pattern is the only thing holding me back. I’m pretty sure I’m going to use the Pantograph on a stars and wavy stripes pattern.
Until next time- find some time to sew!