Brittany Pantograph by Hari Walner: Choosing Between a 6-Inch Detail Row and a 15.5-Inch Statement Row
Some pantographs earn their place in a collection because they give you a choice. The 509 Brittany Pantograph by Hari Walner is one of them. This beautiful continuous-line paper pantograph measures 121 inches long and comes with two sizes — 6 inches and 15.5 inches — so the same design can read as fine, close texture on one quilt and as a bold, open statement on the next.
What the Design Is
A paper pantograph is a printed, continuous-line pattern made for longarm quilting. You lay the paper flat on the pantograph table behind your frame, follow the printed line with a laser light or a stylus, and the needle reproduces that same path on the quilt in front of you. Because the line is continuous, you can stitch a complete pass in one smooth run, then advance the quilt and repeat.
Brittany, designed by Hari Walner, is an edge-to-edge pattern intended to flow across the whole top rather than sit inside a single block or border. Stitched side to side, it builds even, all-over texture — movement and rhythm from a distance, and detail up close.
What Quilts It Suits
Because Brittany comes in two very different row heights, it suits a wide range of quilts. The smaller scale suits quilts where you want quilting to support the piecing without overwhelming it — traditional patchwork, sampler quilts, and tops with smaller blocks or detailed prints. The larger scale suits quilts with room to show the design off: large blocks, wide open spaces, solids and tone-on-tones, and modern layouts where quilting becomes a feature.
Use the tighter version for a lap quilt or table runner seen up close, and the larger version for a bed quilt viewed from across a room. On busy prints either size settles into texture; on plainer fabrics, a gentle thread contrast lets the pattern show more clearly.
Row-Height Choice: 6 Inches or 15.5 Inches
Row height is the key decision with Brittany. At 6 inches, each pass covers less depth, so you will advance more often. In return you get denser quilting, a smaller repeat, and a more detailed finish that holds layers closely together.
At 15.5 inches, each pass covers a lot of quilt in one run. The quilting stays open and lofty, stitching goes faster, and the design reads at a larger scale. Before you start, divide your quilt length by your chosen row height to estimate rows needed, and plan first and last rows so you do not finish with an awkward partial row. If unsure, test-stitch both sizes on scrap — scale changes character quickly.
How to Use It on a Longarm
Unroll the paper and secure it smoothly and flat on your pantograph table, under the pattern shield, so it cannot shift mid-pass. Check your thread tension on a practice area, align your laser or stylus with the printed line, and stitch the first row at a relaxed, even pace. Keep your hands light, look slightly ahead of the laser point, and follow the line rather than chasing it.
When you finish a pass, advance the quilt by one row height — 6 inches or 15.5 inches, depending on the size you chose — and align the next placement carefully so the rows nest evenly with no gaps or crowding. Need the pattern to be longer than 121 inches? Find where the pattern repeats, mark that point on your pattern shield, and shift the pattern down to make it meet up. That allows you to extend the pattern to accommodate larger quilts.
Tips for a Clean Finish
Stay consistent: once you choose a size, use that same row height for the whole quilt. Keep your speed steady through curves and points so stitch length stays even, and step back after the first row to check spacing, scale, and thread choice before you commit to the full top. Store the roll loosely, away from creases, so the paper lies flat and ready the next time you reach for it.
Shop the 509 Brittany Pantograph by Hari Walner at Linda's Electric Quilters.
