Modes of Operation

Explanation of the Various Modes of Operation

There are 4 Modes of operation with the Statler Stitcher computer-assisted quilting machine.  Each are explained below:

Mode 1:  Constant Speed Mode  With a push of a button, select desired speed and it sews like standard hand-guided mode with no computer assistance. Feels, sews, handles, and operates just like any non-computerized machine. You still have the needle up/down positioner and one stitch functions. Mode 2:  Sews and Regulates the Stitch Length Automatically Computer assisted but hand-guided with stitch length automatically controlled by the computer to give you the exact number of stitches per inch that you desire regardless of how fast or slow you hand-guide the machine.

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Mode 3:  This mode has the same functionality as Mode 2, as well as steering the machine to sew a pattern. This is computer-assisted, but in a pattern guided mode. The stitch length is regulated and the X and Y axis motors guide the machine to follow a digitized pattern from inside the computer.  The pattern is scalable to any size, the stitches per inch, the repetitions of the pattern, and the offset of the pattern are all computer controlled. Patterns can be singles like inside a quilt block or they can be rotated so you don't have to turn the quilt top. They can be continuous edge-to-edge, and they can be staggered from one row to the next for edge to edge such as the common "cloud" pattern.

Patterns can be adjusted to fit the quilt top, the quilt block, or the entire quilt top for edge-to-edge patterns.

Operators can change and the quilting of a particular quilt will not suffer the telltale signs of a change in "handwriting".  So one person can start the quilt and if a phone call comes in, another person can finish the quilt.

Stitch size can be adjusted to suit the operator, and it WILL be consistent from start to finish even in V's or tight direction changes.  The total number of stitches in a quilt can be recorded or the total amount of thread used can be estimated (for next time).   This helps to give you other options to charge by besides hourly if you are so inclined.

The software allows you to enter the length and width of the quilt top. If doing edge to edge continuous line patterns it determines the number of rows of the pattern, the height and width of each row is adjusted (or can be fixed), and the space between rows can be adjusted (or can be fixed). It takes a lot of the math out of setting up the quilt.  When doing individual blocks you don't have any math to contend with anyway, but you can adjust the size with the click of a mouse. Stitch regulation makes "frog stitching" (rip-it, rip-it or un-sewing) easier.

No piling up of stitches in one spot which happens when one gets lost in a pattern and hesitates for a second or when one sews a tight "V" in a direction change for instance.

Another big advantage is the decrease of operator fatigue, repetitive motion injuries etc. Many of us who quilt for a living know what I'm talking about particularly around Christmas time, our industry's peak time. A lot of time and money is spent on back supports, comfortable supportive shoes, and special floor mats to stand on.  Some operators use rolling chairs to quilt from, and some have upgraded to machines with an up/down needle positioner specifically because of hand/finger problems such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.  While computerization will NOT eliminate these job risks, it certainly helps tremendously and can make the difference between quilting for a living or quitting.

If you use one of your hands to smooth or finesse the quilt as you sew, you will love the computer-assisted machine.  In this case you will have two hands to work the fabric.  This can be extremely helpful with certain problem quilts and is very helpful since most of us are a single operator.

Mode 4:  Record\Playback Mode  You can move the machine like in Mode 2 and the computer records and saves your movements for later playback.

NOTE:  The Statler Stitcher™ system does not include the long arm sewing head and table but will work with most of the long arm machines being sold today.