Color me absolutely flabbergasted, I've been long arming for probably 8 years and I only seem to get a tiny bit better. I'm doing the feathers challenge and really trying to listen and try new things. I set up a practice sandwich and said what the heck, I'd try the manual setting. I drew some practice shapes and tried ribbon candy and both kinds of feathers. Using it non-regulated I did the best feathers and ribbon candy I've ever done. It scares the heck out of me when it starts out but I also worked on relaxing and just using fingers. I feel like I've made a minor break through. Thanks!
I am disabled with some serious lower back problems. I was able to get a longarm on a hoop frame that allows me to sit down while I quilt. I don’t have space for a large frame, so the hoop works very well. But having the ability to sit on a chair and quilt has been a game changer for me. It’s so much easier to move the machine than to fight with a big quilt! I quilted my first quilt on it two weeks after receiving it. It took less that four hours and NO back problems! I love it! And it turned out great! Is it perfect? No, but it is finished! Ha! I’ve learned a lot here today Angela! Thank you for doing some videos on longarm quilting. I think I know why my circles and swirls are coming out squarish now. Lol. I sure hope you do some videos on longarm quilting. Thank you!
For those who can not get to a show or class, check with your local fabric store. Ask about local quilt guilds, also ask about local long-arm quilters. Some will post their cards on a bulletin board. Many will rent time to you UNDER THEIR GUIDANCE to do a sample. Some quilt shops have machines you can rent by the hour too. For that, you attach your quilt to a zipper which is undone at end of each session as it takes a lot of time for initial set up. Then when you go back, you just zip it back on. There is normally a refundable deposit on the zipper. Hope that helps.
Ok so I finished the video. I’ve had my longarm since 8-20. So relatively still kinda new. You did great on answering questions. When she says you need to try at least a few before buying, do it. They are so much fun, yet scary too. Just jump in and don’t judge yourself against others. I just had my one year maintenance done and was praised how well I take care of it and how I am so brave. Lol 😂 😂 😂. It takes a lot of self talk and quilting potion.
Thanks for your videos. I was watching you years ago, and decided I wanted a long arm. Went to a show and bought a long arm. It was so much fun. I just jumped right in and practiced a bit but had to get a quilt done. Nothing makes you better at quilting, then completing a whole quilt. I kept remembering what you said that even if I make a mistake, when the quilt is finished no one will be able to see it. It’s so true, that quilt was amazing and I’m my worse critic. I love quilting with a long arm and I stitch in regulated mode.
I have been freemotion quilting for several years on a standard machine. I am now learning to do longarm quilting. I appreciate your comments and direction in my learning process. Love your instructions on the videos. Darrene
So excited since this was the first time I’ve been able to join the live chat. Thanks Angela for all you instructions and inspiration. Love doing feathers now and thanks to all the challenges I’ve become a better and more relaxed free motion quilter.
I have loved quilting for a long time, it has always been out of my $ range. One blessed day I found extra $$$ in my account. Ran to the dealer. I stated my business AND they were accepting a mid arm as part of an upgrade. With no clases it cost me all the money I had, including tax and 1st adjustment. I am in LOVE . I time myself to adjust for posture and I love her more, she hate me at times but I am hopeful. My advice..love what you have not the one in the dreams!
Your comment reminds me of that song from the 70s. I don’t remember the title, but the chorus said if you can’t be with the one you love honey love the one you’re with!
I had such a unique problem. Well a set of problems but I’ll focus on the tension. Halfway through every bobbin my tension would change and my bobbin tension would increase exponentially. I spent the first three years of owning my brand new Amara ripping out half of every single bobbin I ever quilted with. I bought a tension gauge and pulled several bobbins through start to finish. Started at 150 halfway through was registering at 350 by the end of the bobbin the tension was beyond 400. I bought another bobbin case from HQ. Same problem. Somehow I interchanged the springs and placed my Koban spring in my Cerliani case. Don’t ask me how I did that. But I had almost a year free of tension issues. Then the spring decided it was done. HQ sent me a third bobbin case and she quilts like a dream! I’m so excited to have a tension issue free quilting experience! Love your videos. I always learn something! I’ve been following you for I think 7 years now!
Best description of cruise of the handiquilter that I've heard. I've been apprehensive about trying this mode. I will definitely try it now! Thank you!
Thanks for all the good information, I have registered for you zoom class because I definitely want to learn more about long arm machines. I have tried and tried and tried doing FMQ on my home machine and just fight with "moving the fabric" and think "moving the machine" will work better for me.
I'm a little confused, you virtually taught me to machine quilt, on a home sewing machine; I never recall seeing you use a longarm before about four years ago.
I am about to upgrade from a sit down mid-arm to the rails. Your information is invaluable. Thank you ❤🎉 Question. Is it recommended not to get the auto design extra until comfortable with the machine
I have a simply sixteen on a loft frame and saves the basting etc. I bought it like that. I asked to trade small frame to loft since I already tried the q zone .
Interesting! I was wondering why I can't get my circles to stop looking square-ish. I'm going to try the other modes and see if there's a difference. Thanks!
What are your thoughts on invisible thread as the top thread. Tension seems to fluctuate without changing anything? Can quilt for hours, then suddenly it’s totally off?
I am new to the Long Arm. When I don't have my automation set up on, the unit moves very easily. However, when I have my automation set up on (QCT5) the unit seams to move more "tightly". That's the best way I can explain it. It seems to working harder. Do you have any idea why?
I am about to upgrade from my sit down Bernina Q20 table to a frame. There are so many questions but one I cannot get any answer to. Question-Pantograms versus a E2E programable unit. The later is costly but i think the pantographs are very fiddle. Is the E@E auto system worth the cost?
Hi Angela, I signed up for the zoom class, but your LIVE events are usually on while I’m working. Will you be recording the session as well so for those who paid for the class can still go back and watch it?
I quilt on a Bernina Q20, sit down, table model. I always use the BSR, (stitch regulator) scared to try the the manual mode. What is the advantage to manual mode? How is it different from stitch regulator mode, vs manual mode?
Handi Quilter have some charts that will help you, but it will depend on the frame size (as a rough guide, think single garage). The latest smallest longarm from Handi Quilter is the Moxie which requires less space. Other brands are available, but I don't have any experience of them, so can't comment.
