Welcome back everyone!
It’s been busy here at The Quilting Connection … introducing the APQS machines, our anniversary sale, holding a demo day for the Laurastar ironing/steam generation systems, the quilt show in West Bend, in-person classes in Appleton and Elkhorn … time to catch my breath!
One of the ways I like to relax is spending a little quiet time quilting on one of our longarm machines. And while I like using ‘simple’ Pro-Stitcher edge-to-edge designs; I LOVE mixing things up by creating my own designs in Pro-Stitcher Designer.
Have you explored the creative opportunities available in Designer? If you haven’t, allow me to give you a brief introduction!
What is Pro-Stitcher Designer™?
Basically, Pro-Stitcher Designer™ is an additional software program that allows you to design and edit your own custom digital quilting motifs and patterns from scratch. You can customize, export and import pretty much anything you can imagine!
And because Designer is a full-featured, vector-based drawing software, you can create your own digital quilting files, printed pantographs or stencils.
While many of you use Pro-Stitcher for your computerized quilting, Designer works with file formats supported by other longarm companies as well. That includes the APQS Quilt Path longarm quilting software.
How does Designer work?
Pro-Stitcher Designer™ mimics the look and feel of Pro-Stitcher Premium. It uses the “Tab,” “Ribbon,” “Sidebar” functionality that so many of you are already familiar with.
And because you can activate the software on two different devices, you can import designs from your Pro-Stitcher tablet, work on them on your personal computer, and then export them back to your Pro-Stitcher when you’re ready to quilt! Talk about convenient!
What can you do with Designer?
So much! Here’s a sampling of this amazing software’s functionality. You can …
- Create designs using the draw tools. Options include Pencil, Line, Curve, Arc and Bezier tools, and artwork tools that allow you to draw simple closed shapes with the click and drag of your mouse.
- Customize, edit and merge existing designs.
- Fine-tune your customizations by using design points and anchors.
- Replicate quilt designs from artwork using Trace tools.
- Draw original quilt patterns using Autoshapes.
- Create a design by simply importing a backdrop design with the Auto Digitizing tool. The software will do the drawing for you!
- Repeat a motif using the Carousel and Reflect features.
- Simplify drawing designs by using customizable grids … there’s even a diagonal grid option.
- Create text designs by simply using the Text Tool. This feature converts any True Text font into a stitchable design.
- Add effects easily by filling your designs with automatic options, including stipple and crosshatch.
- Preview how repeated designs fill your quilting space, allowing you to create your own unique edge-to-edge layouts.
And there’s more …
- Designer’s user interface makes it easy to learn and use.
- A detailed user manual, tutorials and videos provide full user support.
- LIFETIME program updates are included for FREE.
That’s a lot, right? And I’m just scratching the surface!
It’s impossible to describe all the exciting features of Pro-Stitcher Designer in a single post and, like I mentioned above, Pro-Stitcher does a great job of providing helpful tutorials and videos.
But what if I told you The Quilting Connection is hosting a three-day training opportunity next week that will provide you with the knowledge and interaction you need to shorten your learning curve, build your expertise and confidence, and boost your computer-based quilting to the next level!
What’s even better is that this training opportunity is being offered over Zoom, so ANYONE located ANYWHERE can participate!
Pro-Stitcher Designer class details!
Yes! We’re offering a three-day, two-class series focused on Pro-Stitcher Designer™. The first class is two days and covers the basics of Designer. The second class is one-day and covers more advanced concepts.
By offering two classes, you can choose how in-depth you want to take your learning experience.
Our Pro-Stitcher Designer instructor Audrey Vrooman was a Handi-Quilter national educator for many years and now does private training. She is passionate about sharing her expertise and experience with other quilters. She wants to help each of us progress along our own quilting paths.
Audrey will guide you step-by-step through the tools and techniques needed to maximize your use and appreciation of Designer! Handouts will be provided to supplement your learning and to serve as reminders once class is over.
Class #1
Pro-Stitcher Designer Basics – 2 Day Zoom Workshop
Friday, February 23rd & Saturday, February 24th
9AM – 4 PM CST
Class #2
Pro-Stitcher Designer Advanced – 1 Day Zoom Workshop
Sunday, February 25th
9AM – 4PM CST
See our website for more details and to register.
Want even more Pro-Stitcher Designer education?
After taking the Designer Basics class, you are invited to register for the bi-monthly Designer Magnified classes with Audrey.
Each of these sessions focuses on a new technique and allows you to ask questions about any aspect of Designer. These sessions are recorded so you can rewatch them whenever you choose. Again, see our website for details and to register.
I hope to see you at one or both Pro-Stitcher Designer classes! Having you join one or more of the Magnified sessions would be even better! But how about getting to see you in person?
Time for a road trip?
First, I want to take a minute to thank everyone for stopping by to say “hi” at the Winter Quilt Show in West Bend this past Saturday.
Couldn’t make West Bend? Here are a few more opportunities to see some beautiful quilts and chat with us in person.
March 23rd and 24th
Crazy Quilter’s Guild Show
Parkview Middle School, Mukwonago, WI
April 19th and 20th
Evergreen Quilter’s Guild Show
Green Bay Community Church, Green Bay, WI
May 4th and 5th
Sinnissippi Quilter’s Show
Indoor Sports Center – Sportscore Two, Rockford, IL
For more details, see our website. Then update your calendar!
Please join us!
And as always, if you have ANY questions or want additional information about ANY of the products and services we offer, please call us at (262) 723-6775 or email us at info@QuiltingConnection.com.
You can also visit us online at QuiltingConnection.com or in person at 21 Adams Street in Elkhorn, WI (usually M-F 9-4, please call to confirm we’re open) or 1017 W. Northland in Appleton, WI (W, Th & F 10-4, S 10-3).
Finally, check out our blog at QuiltingConnection.com/blog and our Facebook posts.
Please share your thoughts and questions with us. We love to hear from you!
Angie