 |
| Gail LaPrino of Windham owns LaPrino Longarm Quilting Services which uses Edge to Edge Computer Assisted Machine Quilting to create stunning and exceptional patterns for quilts. COURTESY PHOTO |
Despite the high-tech tools at her side, longarm quilting demands far more than pushing a button. It took LaPrino two months of daily training to fully learn the software, master the design tools, and understand how to adapt to the quirks of each individual quilt. The Pro-Stitcher allows her to resize and modify thousands of available stitching patterns, but her experience, technical judgment, and attention to detail is what makes each project exemplary.
Her primary service is edge-to-edge (E2E) computerized quilting, in which one cohesive pattern runs across the entire quilt. This method is precise, efficient, and affordable, making it ideal for most quilts intended for everyday use. E2E quilting gives customers a polished finish without the higher cost of custom free-motion quilting.
LaPrino also offers add-on services that customers appreciate. For a small charge, she prepares and machine-sews the binding to the front of the quilt so customers can hand-stitch the binding at home. She provides design help when needed, guiding quilters through thread colors and pattern choices. Many find this easier to do in person where they can see samples and examine the designs up close, which she is happy to accommodate with an appointment.
While her equipment and skill set are major strengths, what many customers highlight most is her professionalism, attention to detail, and customer care. “I want people to know this is a true business, not just a hobby,” LaPrino says. She keeps consistent work hours, maintains realistic turnaround times, and communicates thoroughly from the moment a quilt arrives until it’s ready to go home. If she encounters a question or concern, she contacts the customer with photos before beginning. And when the work is complete, she sends an image of the finished quilt and the invoice so that the pick-up process is clear and simple.
Her dedication has earned strong praise throughout the quilting community. Molly Phoenix of The Sewing Exchange in Portland told LaPrino she is the only longarm quilter she recommends after LaPrino presented samples of her work at the shop, and customers they referred to her returned expressing how pleased they were with the experience. The steady stream of repeat clients, LaPrino says, speaks volumes as does feedback such as from Pat H. of Buxton who says, “Gail always makes every quilt she has done for me look absolutely beautiful!” and Catherine Holt of Catherine’s Fabric Creations in Saco noting “The quality, fast turnaround time and service are beyond my expectations. I highly recommend Gail!”
Her expertise is built on a lifetime in fiber arts. Taught by her Nana, the town dressmaker in Monroe, Maine, LaPrino began sewing at age 8 and later became a dressmaker and tailor at age 20 while attending the University of Maine. She trained in tailoring under her former mother-in-law, studied pattern making at Newbury College in Boston, and spent years sewing wedding gowns and professional dance costumes, even seeing one of her gowns featured on the cover of New England Bride Magazine. She authored a book on sewing dance costumes and ran her own dance costume business, Dancing Designs, until she retired in 2012. She had always done some home dec and quilting but in 2019 was really bitten by the quilting bug and has been prolific since in quilting for family, friends and the charity “Linus’s Blanket” local chapter.
LaPrino started her longarm quilting business in Buxton in 2024 before moving to Windham in 2025, where she continues to run her studio independently. “Mainly I started the business to pay for the machine and software. You can buy a car for the price of a large computerized longarm system which ranges from $20 to 40K” she revealed. Up until then she had rented one or did free motion quilting on her domestic sewing machine. The robotic features of her longarm machine allow her to engage fully in the craft she loves without the strain on her joints that sewing caused.
While most of her clients come from York and Cumberland counties, LaPrino is happy to accept mail-in quilts from anywhere, providing an additional option for people who can’t visit in person.
For quilters who prefer hands-on involvement, appointments are encouraged so they can visit the studio, view sample stitches, choose thread colors, compare patterns, and discuss the best design for their quilt. Gift certificates are also available.
To learn more, call 207-400-9504, visit www.laprinolongarm.com or find her on Facebook under Gail LaPrino Longarm Quilting. <
While her equipment and skill set are major strengths, what many customers highlight most is her professionalism, attention to detail, and customer care. “I want people to know this is a true business, not just a hobby,” LaPrino says. She keeps consistent work hours, maintains realistic turnaround times, and communicates thoroughly from the moment a quilt arrives until it’s ready to go home. If she encounters a question or concern, she contacts the customer with photos before beginning. And when the work is complete, she sends an image of the finished quilt and the invoice so that the pick-up process is clear and simple.
Her dedication has earned strong praise throughout the quilting community. Molly Phoenix of The Sewing Exchange in Portland told LaPrino she is the only longarm quilter she recommends after LaPrino presented samples of her work at the shop, and customers they referred to her returned expressing how pleased they were with the experience. The steady stream of repeat clients, LaPrino says, speaks volumes as does feedback such as from Pat H. of Buxton who says, “Gail always makes every quilt she has done for me look absolutely beautiful!” and Catherine Holt of Catherine’s Fabric Creations in Saco noting “The quality, fast turnaround time and service are beyond my expectations. I highly recommend Gail!”
Her expertise is built on a lifetime in fiber arts. Taught by her Nana, the town dressmaker in Monroe, Maine, LaPrino began sewing at age 8 and later became a dressmaker and tailor at age 20 while attending the University of Maine. She trained in tailoring under her former mother-in-law, studied pattern making at Newbury College in Boston, and spent years sewing wedding gowns and professional dance costumes, even seeing one of her gowns featured on the cover of New England Bride Magazine. She authored a book on sewing dance costumes and ran her own dance costume business, Dancing Designs, until she retired in 2012. She had always done some home dec and quilting but in 2019 was really bitten by the quilting bug and has been prolific since in quilting for family, friends and the charity “Linus’s Blanket” local chapter.
LaPrino started her longarm quilting business in Buxton in 2024 before moving to Windham in 2025, where she continues to run her studio independently. “Mainly I started the business to pay for the machine and software. You can buy a car for the price of a large computerized longarm system which ranges from $20 to 40K” she revealed. Up until then she had rented one or did free motion quilting on her domestic sewing machine. The robotic features of her longarm machine allow her to engage fully in the craft she loves without the strain on her joints that sewing caused.
While most of her clients come from York and Cumberland counties, LaPrino is happy to accept mail-in quilts from anywhere, providing an additional option for people who can’t visit in person.
For quilters who prefer hands-on involvement, appointments are encouraged so they can visit the studio, view sample stitches, choose thread colors, compare patterns, and discuss the best design for their quilt. Gift certificates are also available.
To learn more, call 207-400-9504, visit www.laprinolongarm.com or find her on Facebook under Gail LaPrino Longarm Quilting. <
