WE ARE NOW OFFICIALLY "STUDIO ONE"
Home of thee Leatherneck Kilted Quilter and Not Forgotten QOV
Longarm Quilting, Embroidery, Vinyl Transfer and Sublimation
About Us
"We"
Elaine and I now call West Grove/New London Township Pennsylvania home. The quilting journey all started when my best friend and lovely wife, one in the same, ask me to go to the quilt show...she was in the market for a longarm machine (I had no idea). As it turned out the longarm machine was a power tool attached to a computer tablet with PantoVision (a pantograph software system)...the rest is history. Whether wood working, building decks and patios, framing houses, in my younger years, or a DIY project around the house, I have never shied away from a power tool. She does get to use it...I golf and ride a motorcycle...so I'm not always at the longarm. Elaine and I are both on Facebook (Les Page / Elaine Navarro-Page) or you can follow my Facebook Page...thee Leatherneck Kilted Quilter
Quilts of Valor
The Mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover active service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.
Our Registered Group, Not Forgotten QOV is dedicated to aid in that mission with the commitment and sincerity of those we recognize with this Award. We will forever be grateful for their service and sacrifices to this country and the freedoms they stood and stand watch over. Quilts of Valor/QOV/QOVF/and LOGO are Registered Trademarks.
The Quilts of Valor Foundation is a 501(c)(3) foundation
Longarm Services
We operate a hand guided Innova Longarm for our quilting needs. We have been longarming quilts since 2012. We spent a year researching and testing a plethora of longarms. The selection of Innova came after much consideration due to the financial investment that was being made. Two main reasons Innova was the choice. A computer tablet delivered a "pantograph" system, which moved the operator to the front of the machine and very limited maintenance. Many of the other machines required daily oiling and maintenance...above the quilt. It just seemed, oil daily, the chance of damaging a quilt was greater. The computer tablet pattern system provided a much more ergonomically correct positioning for the operator.
With RARE EXCEPTION we are able to have your quilt back to you in
SEVEN BUSINESS DAYS or less. AVOID THE LONG DELAYS.
Contact Les for questions or scheduling from the Contact Section below or via email... i.longarm@yahoo.com
Longarm Services...and more... 2024 Changes...
Effective Jan 1, 2024
Batting will increase to $7.20 per yard. Sounds like a lot. Not really. It has increased twice since going up to $5.50 in 2023 and we kept it down absorbing the increases. We are anticipating yet more increases and hoping we can stay ahead of our cost. We know we are competitive for our stock Hobbs 80/20 at $7.20 per yard or .20 cents per linear inch. Packaged Batting will go to "our cost + 15%"
All over edge to edge and border to border will increase .0005 to .0225 per square inch. (See Downloads for full pricing information for 2024.) Our increases over 2023 (utilities, fuel oil, thread, shipping, and equipment upkeep) has forced us to eliminate the cash discount.
Shipping cost increases still hurt. The UPS Contract agreement didn't help. Where before we could absorb the increases it is now become excessive. We can still help by paying 50% of the return shipping fee...UPS Ground to residential address or USPS if shipping to a PO Box.
Considering a full time UPS driver at the end of this contract (2028) will be earning $170,000.00 annually in wages and benefits one might want to consider UPS as an alternative to college.
If there is one thing we try to do in not only our quilting and crafting hobbies as well as our daily lives it is ...Keep it simple. This really applies when we set out to develop fair and honest pricing for the quilters that we longarm for. I have visited numerous websites and blogs of longarming services and having gained a pretty good insight into the process over the last 11+ years longarming. I find quite a few longarm services to be riddled with "plus." Do we have some pluses? We do. Two, one for Variegated Thread and one for quilt tops 102" to the maximum our machine can handle, 124".
What you won't find is pricing riddled with "plus" or overpricing. A top or back may need some extra pressing, and I've not found a back yet that didn't need ironing. The piecers can spend all day cutting excess threads (Irish pennants to this Marine) but there will still be some that need to be trimmed before the quilt gets loaded. One of the "pluses" that I've never figured out, a fee per bobbin. Maybe it's just me...I thought that was part of the per inch charge.
We have tried our best to provide the quilter with pricing they can figure out, quickly and easily. We have a craft that shouldn't be complicated. In most circumstances the quilter knows up front what to expect without having to figure on plus this and plus that. You can download our Quilt Preparation file for the general guidelines for preparing your quilt to be longarmed. The guidelines are relative universal. Check with your longarmer for personal preferences.
Oh, we do have a plus we think you'll like...seven business day turnaround for locals to drop off and pick up. Ten business days if shipping is involved. On rare occasions those deadlines aren't met. Usually, based on the quilter's comment, "I'm in no hurry, take your time." Even then we usually take seven or ten business days. (I do appreciate "no hurry" in November and early December.
This year has been exceptionally busy this 2023 Holiday Season. I will do my best to announce any cut off dates when necessary. In previous years we were able to handle some last minute tops. This year has been the exception. We will admit to accepting the "no hurry" status this year. Thank you all for allowing us to be part of your quilting journey.
Quilt till you wilt...we do.
FINALLY...
After leaving Virginia Beach and spending six months house hunting, trapped in a small apartment for five of those six and under the umbrella of COVID 19, that has affected everything from civil liberties to the housing market, on 14 January we finally closed on our Pennsylvania home.
Six weeks since closing and five months since leaving VaBch we are up and running. The boxes are unpacked, the storage area in the basement has been filled, and Got Junk hauled off a ton of boxes and old lighting fixtures replaced and some “junk.” Still a lot to do, kitchen remodel, landscaping, searching out new quilt guilds, getting Not Forgotten QOV back on track in the new area and getting the longarm back to being productive after five months in a storage garage.
I will load the first quilt today. I’ve received three quilts from a Virginia Beach quilter to complete and have QOV’s that have been pending for way too long.
Let me just say they turned out better than expected. I’ve never had the Man Cave, the Longarm Room or my drums all in the same area…never. Basements are a fabulous addition to a home. Plus I have an office on the main floor so QOV’ers and quilter’s don’t have to trek up an down stairs. Elaine’s Sewing Room occupies one of the upstairs bedrooms and to her liking, larger than the VaBch dining room. She has really done her work in organizing a lot of craft and sewing equipment and supplies.
Looking forward to a productive 2021 and beyond and getting back to doing what keeps me leaning towards sanity. We are home, healthy, very happy to be 3.5 miles from our son and his family. They just “dropped by” the other day…it was a something special…and worth all of the trials and tribulations that went along with the move. We miss you all. Our phones and emails are the same, so PLEASE, if you ever get this way stop by. Our home will always have an open door for “y’all” that made VaBch our home for 16 years. Made Not Forgotten QOV a very productive Group and allowed me to be a part of your quilting craft. We both, thank each one of you with our whole hearts.
Stay safe, warm and healthy. None of which requires a mask in reality.
A New Beginning
Innova - Ready to go
Innova - Ready to go
Innova - Ready to go
Longarm Area from foot of basement staircase. Hard to tell you how excited this is.
Another View
Innova - Ready to go
Innova - Ready to go
Looking back to Longarm from ironing table.
The Man Cave
Innova - Ready to go
The Man Cave
Couch to be added. 65" with PlayStation in route. Drums ready and LOUD.
Break Area
and More Storage
The Man Cave
The room would not be complete without coffee/microwave/refrigerator. Plus a lot of room to walk around the ironing table.
Batting Storage
and More Storage
and More Storage
Storage space...plenty
and More Storage
and More Storage
and More Storage
QOV's ready for Awarding and yet to be completed.
Now this is a Sewing/Embroidery/Craft Room
Sewing Table/Desk
Someone Say 10 Needle
Sewing Table/Desk
With TV and views outside of front yard and side yard. Elaine and Dr. Phil are very happy.
Crafting/Ironing
Someone Say 10 Needle
Sewing Table/Desk
Crafting and Ironing tables. Supplies for crafting and embroidery needs.
Someone Say 10 Needle
Someone Say 10 Needle
A Display for some "stash"
You just never know when you may need to embroider something or need a ruler.
A Display for some "stash"
A Display for some "stash"
A Display for some "stash"
A colorful display of some stash. More storage area in the former closet and another window. There are three in this room and sun all day...when it's not snowing.
Before
A Display for some "stash"
Before
This was after one days work of unpacking.
Before
A Display for some "stash"
Before
It took a lot to get all of this to the basement. The moving crew earned their money. The longarm was still in pieces. The tech came up from Virginia to get it assembled.
Embroidery
We use a Brother Entrepreneur Pro 1050X for our embroidery needs. Whether quilt labels or a special request for a shirt, bag, hat or other need, The Brother handles them all.
Sublimation
Sublimation
Is the transition of a substance directly from the solid to the gas state, without passing through the liquid state. Sublimation is an endothermic process that occurs at temperatures and pressures below a substance's triple point in its phase diagram, which corresponds to the lowest pressure at which the substance can exist as a liquid.
Are you asleep yet?
A long list of products
What this means here in West Grove, PA at Studio One with the Longarm Kilted Quilter and Elaine’s Crafts:
We can transfer photos to certain fabrics for memory quilts, on polyester or polyester blend T’s we can transfer photos onto them to include personal touches to T Shirt Quilts. There are some new products that can allow sublimation on to other fabrics such as 100% cotton that we are experimenting with. There are short YouTube Videos that detail this relatively new process in sublimation…we are still looking for the right quality and products that will meet our standards.
The "Surf's Up T on the right, is 22 years old. Our granddaughter in 2000. I can't even guess how many washings.
Other products we can create include:
o Mugs, Drinkware and Tumblers
o Can Cooler & Drinkware Sleeves
o Plaques
o Pets
o Puzzles
o Coasters
o License Plates & Hitch Covers
o Magnets
o Plates
You can view available products @ heatpressnation.com. This company is our major supplier due to customer service and quality of product.
Studio One...Constantly Evolving
Sublimation has added yet another layer of utility to our abilities in aiding the quilter in crafting quilts or their personalizing of a gift or quilt for a friend, loved one or pets.
Along with the addition of the heat presses we use in the sublimation process when combined with Elaine’s ScanNCut comes the ability to do vinyl heat transfers as well.
We are here to enjoy with you the crafting and quilting journeys with a variety of tools to help you complete the vision you had when you began your project.
For information regarding Longarming, Embroidery, Heat Transfer, Sublimation or T Shirt Quilts please use the "Contact Us" section above. In the “Download Files” section there are other documents that you may find useful. All our contact information is also included on the downloadable file…Pricing_2022.
And remember…Quilt till you wilt…we do.
Not Forgotten QOV
Events
Annually We Quilt/Not Forgotten QOV participate in events by setting up Visitor Booths. We award QOV's, collect donations, sell Raffle Tickets. All proceeds are submitted to the National Foundation and used solely for QOVF Authorized purchases to craft Quilts of Valor.
NFQOV is a registered Group with the Quilts of Valor Foundation.
QOVF® originated from a vision of a mother with a son serving in Harm's Way in Iraq. From her vision of a post deployed warrior being wrapped in a quilt to comfort him the Quilts of Valor Foundation formed in November 2003. For information go to www.qovf.org.
My Way AND the Highway
Choosing Thread
For the sake of conversation there are one million longarmers, me being one. Which means there are 999,999 other ways of approaching any method or system to many of the procedures associated with the process. We are, without any debate, varied in our ways and equipment. Edge to Edge, Free Motion, Hand Guided, Computer Driven, Paper Pantograph aided or Digitized Panto’s for those that have the Pantograph system utilized via a tablet, like Innova’s Panto Vision.
I’m familiar with one longarmer that does strictly ruler work.
With that said…My approach to thread selection.
I will use whatever thread the piecer supplies. I only stock Superior Omni and Omni Variegated. I’ve used numerous manufacturers…With Superior’s Omni line it is rare that I must make any tension adjustments. Very rare. If it ain’t broke… Also, I believe the poly/cotton blend threads hold up better under use, elements and washing than a pure cotton. I know plenty that disagree.
Color…does it blend well with the pieced top?
I’ve never been too concerned with the back. In most cases the piecer’s selection is coordinated with a fabric from the top. So, the thread will usually blend well with the back. When I encounter a dark top and a very light backing it is the piecers call. I’ve used light and dark threads on the same quilt with good success. On those occasions when the top thread wants to peek through the bottom or vice versa the “peeking” has been eliminated after the first washing. If you are not washing it is always best to stay with the color choice for the top to avoid any possible conflicts with thread color. Perfect tension is a myth. Great tension is doable…but peeking is like bleeding fabric…it can happen.
Color contrast...light thread on dark fabrics or dark thread on light fabrics?
Considering that many pieced tops have both, this can be difficult. Thankfully, this is worked out during the consultation process. What I strive for is a thread that does not overpower the pattern and fabric selection the piecer has used in crafting the top.
My rule of thumb…Use a darker thread color on the front coordinating with the darker fabrics. Light colored threads on dark fabrics, to me, catches the eye and exposes the longarm pattern before the piecing of the quilt. I want to compliment the quilt. It is the quilt that should be the main focus, not a longarm pattern. Using the darker colors seems to be less attention getting on quilts that utilize dark fabrics.
Yes, I use a lot of whites and cream threads. Pastels, light greens, blues, browns, pale yellows, and the list goes on…but for the most part those quilts use limited choices of dark fabrics.
For the sake of conversation let’s say there are one million quilters. We have now entered into that 999,999 individual considerations regarding thread selection for a quilt, excluding mine. The reason I emphasize the importance of quilter and longarmer consultation. In person is obviously the best. But, welcome to the 21st Century where phones, text, emails and photographs make it possible no matter where the piecer and longarmer happen to apply their craft.
Quilt till you wilt…we do.
