Longarm Guide
Edge-to-Edge vs. Semi-Custom vs. Custom Quilting
What each style actually means, what a pantograph is, and which one fits your quilt and budget.
Edge-to-Edge (E2E) / Pantograph
$ — least expensiveOne continuous, repeating design stitched across the entire quilt top from edge to edge, ignoring the piecing underneath. A pantograph is the paper (or digital) pattern the design is traced from — the quilter follows its continuous line with a laser pointer or, on a computerized machine, the software drives the stitching automatically.
Best for: Scrappy or busy pieced tops where quilting texture matters more than exact placement; the fastest and least expensive professional option.
Semi-Custom
$$ — moderateA middle ground: a small number of different designs (often 2-3) are chosen for different zones of the quilt — one motif for the blocks, a different one for the sashing, another for the border — rather than one design running across everything.
Best for: Traditional block-style quilts where you want the piecing to show a bit more than pure edge-to-edge allows, without paying for fully custom planning.
Fully Custom
$$$ — most expensiveThe quilter designs and stitches unique motifs specific to each part of your quilt — different fill patterns in different blocks, dense background stitching that makes an appliqué or pieced shape pop, feathers following a border. Takes several times longer to plan and stitch than edge-to-edge.
Best for: Heavily pieced, appliquéd, or special-occasion quilts (weddings, memory quilts, show quilts) where the quilting itself is part of the finished design, not just the finishing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between edge-to-edge and custom quilting?+
Edge-to-edge (E2E) stitches one repeating design across the whole quilt top regardless of the piecing underneath — fast and the least expensive. Custom quilting designs unique motifs for different parts of the quilt (different fill in each block, feathers in the border, etc.), which takes much longer to plan and stitch and costs more as a result.
What is a pantograph in quilting?+
A pantograph (or "panto") is a continuous-line, edge-to-edge design. It's traced from a paper pattern (or driven by software on a computerized machine) and repeats across the whole quilt top in one continuous path, which is what makes edge-to-edge quilting fast.
What is semi-custom quilting?+
A middle option between edge-to-edge and fully custom — a handful of different designs (commonly 2-3) are chosen for different sections of the quilt, such as one motif for the blocks and another for the border, instead of one continuous design over the whole top or fully unique custom work everywhere.
Which quilting style should I choose for my quilt?+
Edge-to-edge is the practical default for everyday quilts, scrappy tops, and anything on a budget. Semi-custom suits a traditional block quilt where you want the piecing to show more. Fully custom is worth the added cost for a special-occasion or show-quality quilt where the quilting itself should be a design feature.