Facts & FAQS

FAQS

  • Kevin and Heidi Hibbard, the founders and owners of Groovy Patterns, are lifelong Michiganders, born and raised in Mid-Michigan where they now live and raise their family. The Groovy Patterns journey began in 2017 when Aunt Nancy asked them to create a groovy board with a specific design. Although it was their first encounter with groovy boards, Kevin’s expertise in engineering, design software, and CNC technology allowed them to craft exactly what she needed. Heidi, having recently become a stay-at-home mom after deciding not to return to the dental office, saw potential and listed a few boards on eBay to see what would happen. Since then, Groovy Patterns has grown. Now selling on five platforms, they offer a wide variety of designs and custom options. Heidi comes from a large extended family of quilters, inspired by her grandma’s love of sewing and quilting. Her grandma, who had nine children—most of whom are quilters today—instilled a legacy that Heidi carries forward. Helping others add that special touch to their quilts is Heidi’s way of honoring her grandma’s memory and keeping quilting alive. She is forever grateful to Aunt Nancy for introducing them to groovy boards and sparking this adventure.

  • No, everything is done in-house! From the initial design to the moment your order is picked up for shipment, we handle it all ourselves. This gives us more control over quality and ensures a personal touch in every aspect of our work. Each product is crafted with the utmost care and attention to detail.

  • Yes, custom designs are our specialty! We can tailor our groovy boards to your unique needs with options such as size adjustments, themed designs, incorporating your business logo or name, personal signatures or handwriting, and turning inspiring images into custom creations—the possibilities are endless. Most modifications come at no extra cost, though one-of-a-kind custom designs may include a design fee. Once we’ve gathered all the necessary details, we typically require one week to create your design. Have an idea? Let’s chat—we’d love to help bring your vision to life!

  • Groovy boards are innovative tools for long-arm quilting machines, designed to help quilters create consistent, intricate patterns with ease. Made from ¼” PVC boards, they feature predesigned grooves that guide a stylus attached to the machine, allowing precise replication of the board’s pattern onto the quilt. Groovy boards offer a user-friendly, durable, and precise alternative to freehand drawing or pantographs. Perfect for adding stunning designs to your quilting projects.

  • To use groovy boards, you’ll need the following:

    • A long arm quilting machine with a frame.

    • A stylus and adaptor setup on your machine. The stylus must have a tip that fits within the 1/8" groove on the boards.

    • Groovy boards that are the correct size for your frame and within the limits of your machine’s reach and throat space.

  • Dimensions vary by design to meet the unique needs of our customers. You can find the dimensions in the details for each product. If they don’t meet your requirements, feel free to contact us to explore possible modifications.

  • Yes! As of 2024, our groovy boards now include registration marks, except for a few selfaligning designs. These marks make alignment even easier for our customers.

  • We’ve dedicated a special section to registration marks and their usage.

    Check it out here

  • As of 2024, we provide six non-slip silicone stickers for every groovy board purchased at no additional cost. This allows customers to choose whether to use the non-slip stickers, catering to individual preferences.

  • The groove in our boards is 1/8" wide. As long as your stylus tip fits within that space, it will work perfectly. Compatibility issues are extremely rare.

  • No, we don’t sell styluses. We recommend reaching out to your machine’s manufacturer to find a stylus and adaptor compatible with your setup. The groove in our boards is 1/8" wide, so any stylus with a tip that fits within that space will work seamlessly. Compatibility issues are very rare.

  • To determine compatibility, consider these key factors:

    1. Frame Size: Ensure the size of your frame will accommodate the size of groovy boards you’re interested in.

    2. Throat Space: Confirm your machine’s throat space accommodates the board’s pattern height, so the entire design is accessible.

    3. Stylus/Adaptor: Ensure that your machine is set up with a stylus and adaptor accessory so you’re ready to use your groovy boards.

  • With the addition of non-slip stickers, tape is less necessary. However, we recommend using painter’s tape at the junctions between boards for added stability. If you find your boards need extra security, painter’s tape remains a reliable and easy option.

  • No additional connectors are needed! Our boards include puzzle-piece-style connectors to stabilize vertical movement. For horizontal movement, small strips of painter’s tape at the board junctions can provide extra security, if necessary.

  • Typically, the largest size we can create is 22" x 11". However, if you have a specific need beyond that size, feel free to reach out, we’re happy to accommodate your requests whenever possible.

  • ypically, at least two groovy boards are recommended. Some customers find success by leapfrogging the boards down the table, reducing the need to purchase additional boards. For optimal results, we suggest having enough boards to span the full width of your quilt, eliminating the need to move them during your project.

  • We offer tiered pricing on our groovy boards, the more you buy of a particular design, the less you pay per board! Here's our Everyday Deal:

    • Single board: $45

    • Set of 2: $90

    • Set of 3: $125 ($41.67 each)

    • Set of 4: $155 ($38.75 each)

    • Set of 5: $180 ($36 each)

    • Set of 6: $200 ($33.33 each)

  • Pantographs are continuous line designs printed on long, durable sheets of paper, used in quilting to create patterns that cover the entire quilt top. With a long-arm quilting machine, quilters guide the machine to trace the design using an attached laser or stylus. This technique ensures consistent, edge-to-edge patterns for a professional look without freehand quilting. Pantographs are a more cost-effective option compared to groovy boards, though they are less durable and precise.

  • To use pantographs, you’ll need the following:

    • A long arm quilting machine with a frame.

    • A stylus and adaptor setup on your machine, or a laser.

    • A pantograph design with a pattern height that fits your frame and stays within your machine’s reach and throat space.

  • Our pantographs are typically 12" x 144". However, some designs vary based on customer requests, and these exceptions are noted in the design details. For instance, the Butterflies and Flowers Extra Small pantograph measures 8" tall instead of the standard 12".

  • Yes! Orders of $125+ qualify for free domestic shipping within the US. A flat $5 shipping fee applies to orders under $125 to help with a small portion of our shipping cost.

  • Yes, we offer shipping within the US and Canada through our website. For Canadian orders, there’s a $40 fee to help cover shipping costs. Need worldwide shipping? Visit our eBay shop for international orders!

  • All our groovy boards, pantographs, and accessories are made in-house as they’re ordered, no pre-made stock here! We estimate 3–5 business days to craft and prepare your order for shipping, depending on our current order volume.

  • If you’re working on a tight timeline, reach out to us before placing your order to confirm current shipping times for the specific item(s) you need. Share your situation, we can often prioritize orders at no extra cost.

  • We typically ship via USPS, with delivery times ranging from 2 to 4 days. If you’d like a different carrier, feel free to contact us, we’re happy to make arrangements to fit your needs!

  • As a small business, we typically cannot accept returns or exchanges, all sales are final. However, if there's a problem, please contact us! We’ll do our best to assist and promptly make things right if we've made a mistake. Exceptions to this policy may be considered on a case-bycase basis.

    We work hard to provide as much transparency as possible to prevent the need for exchanges andreturns. To ensure the right fit for your needs, we provide detailed product dimensions and multiple photos. Every design is unique, so please review specifications carefully. If you're purchasing as a gift, consider a gift card or confirm the recipient’s preferences beforehand. We're always happy to answer any questions to help you make an informed purchase!

  • We sell exclusively online! Our website is the most active and up to date: www.groovypatterns.com, but you can also find us on Amazon, Ebay, Etsy, and Walmart.

  • We handle all communication via email and messenger, as it’s the most effective for our active lifestyle. You’ll receive quick, reliable, and friendly responses when you contact us at quilting@groovypatterns.com, through our social media profiles (Facebook and Instagram), or directly via our website.

  • We do offer sales and special discounts! The best way to stay in the loop is by joining our mailing list. Simply scroll to the bottom of any page on our website, enter your email address where it says, 'Join Our Mailing List,' and click 'Sign Up' to receive updates.

  • We currently do not produce our own instructional videos. However, there is a wealth of information available online about groovy boards, pantographs, and long-arm quilting. A simple search on Google or YouTube will likely lead you to helpful resources. If you can’t find what you need, feel free to contact us, we’re always happy to assist!

  • Most of our designs are intuitive and do not require route suggestions. However, for some of our more advanced designs, we have created route suggestions to assist you. If you encounter difficulties or need guidance, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Should you need a route suggestion for a design we haven't yet prepared one for, we’ll gladly create one for you.

Quilting with Registration Marks

Achieve Uniform Quilting with Registration Marks

Registration marks are helpful for maintaining even and consistent quilting when using groovy boards. These marks, strategically placed on the board, ensure precise alignment and prevent gaps or overlaps in the design.

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Initial Alignment: Begin by positioning the stylus in the groove on the outer edge of the groovy board. This is typically the starting point of the design.

  2. Quilt the First Row: Carefully guide the stylus along the grooves, stitching the first row of the quilting design. It is helpful to know your chosen route ahead of time. Color coding the grooves with marker may also help guide you.

  3. Roll and Align: Once the groovy boards have been traced over completely, carefully move the stylus to the top registration mark on the groovy board. Now, advance the quilt. Align the needle's tip with the lowest point of the design you just quilted. This step is crucial for seamless pattern continuation when you start the next row.

  4. Reposition the Stylus: With the quilt and board secured, carefully move the stylus to the starting point of the design on the groovy board. You are now ready to begin the next row.

  5. Continue Quilting: Follow the grooves on the board. Repeat the steps for each subsequent row, ensuring consistent alignment using the registration marks.

Key takeaway:

Registration marks work together to ensure accurate alignment. The top marks help you connect the bottom of one row to the top of the next, while the bottom marks help you position the board correctly to avoid collision between rows.

Red Circles: Registration marks, used to align the groovy board and fabric.

Dotted Red Line: Illustrates the horizontal alignment of the design, which helps prevent collision between rows.

Green Pattern: Represents the section of the quilt that has already been quilted.

Grey Design Paths: Indicates the grooves on the groovy board.