Today on the Handi Quilter blog, we’re sharing some great tips and hacks for sewing pantographs!  We’re sharing some great tips on how to test out different pantograph designs before you sew!  On the blog today, Mary Beth Krapil, National Handi Quilter educator, shares her tips on how to test out different pantograph ideas for quilting.  Mary Beth has 20+ years of experience as a quilting educator, has won many national awards for her quilts, and appeared on TV shows such as Quilt It, The Longarm Quilting Show on QNNtv, and the HQ Live show.

What is a Pantograph?

A “pantograph” is a design printed on paper meant to guide a longarm quilter in quilting the design.  It’s easy to quilt using pantographs because it simply requires tracing the design.  In “Quilter’s Lingo” we sometimes call a pantograph a “panto”!

How To Preview Pantograph Design Ideas

This is a tip for all you pantograph quilters out there. Wouldn’t it be great to know before you sew? That is, to see what a panto design will look like on your quilt before you stitch it out. No seam ripper required (if it turns out to be not what you wanted)! This is a way to audition pantographs on your quilt top so you can be sure you’ll end up with the look you want.

Supplies You’ll Need – Quilting Pantograph Hack

Make sure to have these tools on hand before beginning!

• Pantograph
• Quilter’s Preview Paper (Shop HERE!)
• Sharpie marker
• Quilt top
• Alcohol wipe

How to Preview Pantographs

First, you’ll start with tracing!

Step #1: Start with Your Pantograph

You’ll want to start out by selecting your pantograph.

Those two blue things at either end are pieces of acrylic. I use them to hold my pantographs flat and still while quilting. The fact that they are see-through is a plus. I can use a dry erase marker to mark the ends of my quilt top, any altered path at the end of the rows, etc.

Step #2: Trace Your Pantograph Design

Take your Quilter’s Preview Paper (ask for this at your local quilt shop or order online through Handi Quilter).

And a Sharpie marker.

Warning! Be careful with a Sharpie permanent marker around quilt tops (or any fabric) It is almost impossible to remove if you accidentally mark your fabric.

Place the Preview Paper on top of your panto and trace the pattern with the Sharpie. This job also gives you practice in the stitching path. You’ll be better at quilting this design because you traced the path! Muscle memory is important for good quilting. Read about it here.

Step #3: Trace Multiple Repeats

Trace as much as you think you’ll need to get a good idea about scale and proportion and the general feel of the design as it relates to the piecing, fabrics and tone of the quilt.

Step #4: Audition Your Pantograph Design

Remove the pantograph and place the Preview Paper on top of your quilt top.

Move the Preview Paper around to different areas of the quilt.

Step #5: Decide on the Pantograph Placement for Your Quilt

Now comes the hard part. Make a decision, Yay or Nay.

When you are finished you can cut the Preview Paper from the roll and keep it with the pantograph to audition again on another quilt. Or you can remove the Sharpie marks with an alcohol wipe (or rubbing alcohol on a paper towel). You will be able to use the Preview Paper over and over again.

Pro-tip: If you plan to remove the marks when you’re finished you could use a dry-erase marker to trace. Dry erase can be removed with a scrap of batting. But, if you use dry-erase, you need to be UBER-careful to not let the fabric touch the dry-erase lines. Dry-erase ink is permanent on fabric. Don’t ask me how I know, I might start to cry. It is much safer to use a Sharpie, and it comes off very easily with alcohol. But once it is dry it will not come off onto your fabric.

It really helps to know before you sew.

Quilt Every Day!

by Mary Beth Krapil

What to Read Next

Here are a few other articles you may find fun and helpful!

• What to Expect at a Handi Quilter Event
• 5 Classic Free-Motion Designs
• Choosing the Right Thread for Longarm Quilting

Watch & Learn | Pantograph Tutorial on YouTube

Ready to learn more about using pantographs with your longarm quilting machine?  Check out this video tutorial from our Handi Quilter Studio Educators, Kristina & Kim!