QBee's New Frame

I've cried and I've cussed. . . but am still hopeful my Grace Majestic frame will soon work wth my HQ16. Nowhere nearby for me to shop, so I did on-line shopping. Lynn at kathyquilts.com said this would be perfect with my stitch regulated HQ 16. Well - - he was wrong. Got very little help from him and even less from Grace Company. Lynn got in touch with a buddy of his, Michael, who is an HQ dealer. I needed a different carriage for my machine, which Michael shipped to me. Now I need a different hook up for my stitch regulator, which Michael has shipped and it should arrive soon.

My previous frame wouldn't do any more than an 80" quilt and was set up on a work table. I think I'm going to love this when it's finally ready to roll. Thankfully, Michael has been very helpful, and told Tom to call back when the new encoder arrives so he can talk him through installation. I hope his friend, Lynn, thanks him adequately for saving Lynn's backside.

Here are a couple of pics of Tom, working on assembly. One morning he took a break from the office to come home and call Michael about the carriage. He had been on his back under the frame in his shirt and tie, but I had him pose for the picture.

What an ordeal this has been QBee. How long has this been going on now, about a month? I'm sure it will be worth it in the end, and you and DH have been very patient.

Memaw - I have loved my HQ16. I've had it for about six years. The original frame was one that clamped onto a ten foot utility table, and truthfully I didn't really have complaints about the frame set up until I got the idea of bigger and better. This frame is 12 feet, so I'll be able to do wider quilts. I was limited to about 80" wide with my previous system.

The good thing about my previous frame, was that it was definintely more reasonably priced. So, it wasn't quite as big a cash outlay to get started.

Is there a BabyLock dealer in your area? I'd be curious about their quilting machines. I believe they had the Jewel which was a 16" like my HQ, and now have the Crown Jewel, an 18". HandiQuilter makes the BabyLock quilting machines, and the pictures sure look like they're twins. Make 'em the same, baptize one HandiQuilter and the other BabyLock, maybe?

I also wonder if the dealers have used machines. Some people get the machines and then decide they don't really like doing their own quilting, and others fall in love and trade up to bigger machines. Then, ta-da, there's a used machine for sale. They probably show up on ebay and craig's list, too. . . though I like the idea of having a dealer to work with for questions or problems that might come up.

Listen to me! Cheering you on!! Wishing and hoping you can get a quilting machine!

I have the Tin Lizzie Memaw and I really like it too. Heck, I think getting your hands on any quilting machine is a good thing!!!

Memaw, I'll bet that's why you bought that house on Veto Lake...so you could wait for your rich ship to come in.

QBee your hubby is a winner, shirt and tie or tee he is in there making it work for you, hope you have lots of wonderful hours quilting away - I can hardly imagine what it would be like to be able to machine quilt, Im envious

Woot! Woot! Only took about six months and my great HQ16 is on my wonderful Majestic frame, ready to quilt! The last hold-up was that I still had to use the old wheels on the HQ and old track on the carriage (the platform on which the machine rolls back and forth from front to back) I finally was put in touch with the Tech Engineer at Handiquilter. He was truly pleasant and helpful. And now I have new wheels and track, and DH and I are still happily married!

A miracle, and just in time. My dear, long-long-time friend Pat is coming on Wednesday for a few days. A mini-retreat so Pat can use the HQ. So excited about the fun we'll have! Spent the day rearranging my sewing room so I can sew while Pat quilts. Relocated the cutting table to a spare bedroom. You can just see the top of my sewing machine tucked in next to the ironing board.

Oh wow, excuse me while I drool on your photo! Im so happy for you, finally its all fixed and running properly. You are going to have a ball with it and a mini quilt retreat with a friend, after grandma camps - wow, you are having a great month QBee!!! Looks like you have used your space really well in your sewing room, like you have plenty of windows too. Have fun, cant wait to see all your creations

envious of the fun you will have with a dear friend... can't wait to see what you quilt...

Wow, QBee - I didn't know you had one. I'm jealous!. but wait...... I only live 4 hours from you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have fun with your friend. Can't wait to see your work.

QBee, I'm drooling too over the beautiful, sunny room and your new frame. I guess all the frustration has ended and now you and your friend can quilt! Have fun.

When is the "Luvsquilting" mini retreat? Would love to play games on that quilting machine.

My sewing room was formerly bedroom of our youngest. It does have nice windows for daytime sewing. There's only one dinky little ceiling light though, so I have lamps galore.

I can usually have the work table / cutting table butting up against my sewing machine cabin. I can shove that around enough to slide the quilting frame away from the wall when I want to quilt.

With my friend coming, though, I thought we'd need a little more room, so I did more extensive moving out and emptying of the sewing room.

I have several quilt tops waiting. I think it's kind of funny that now I'm ready to go and my friend will be the first one to use the new system.

Luvs - We'll have to make a plan! Just remember that you have to feed me suppers in exchange for using my machine.

Hey no fair. I don't get fed supper when my friend and my sis use my machine.

TxMaryQuilts wrote:

Hey no fair. I don't get fed supper when my friend and my sis use my machine.

well thats it then, no more machine using for them, either they show with supper, cookies, brunch or some kind of goodwill food or they dont get their little texan feet in the front door!

Gimpy Cat wrote:

TxMaryQuilts wrote:

Hey no fair. I don't get fed supper when my friend and my sis use my machine.

well thats it then, no more machine using for them, either they show with supper, cookies, brunch or some kind of goodwill food or they dont get their little texan feet in the front door!

Well, TxM, you gotta learn from the best (me and Gimpy) and become assertive with a new plan! Actually, my friend is a retired teacher who now works a few part time hours at "Let's Dish". At LD they have several stations, each with everything you need for a specific recipe, a diff recipe at each station. All the veggies are cleaned and chopped, meat cut, etc, and measuring utensils are there. You follow the instructions, get the ingredients sealed in a plastic bag, and freeze it. You leave with several "homemade" dinners to put in your freezer, and take out and cook for a quick meal. So, Pat is bringing a couple of Let's Dish dinners.

Hmmm...now that I think of it, I may demand that Luvs bring her yummy quinoa mango salad when she comes.

Wow! That is going to be great fun when you have it really up and going.

QBee Im fascninated with the lets dish concept, I looked it up, wow, takes take away to a whole new level!

Add me to the JEALOUS list as well! We need to see pics of the fun! Congratulations...so happy for you that it finally is working out!

Guess it is just as well, I really don't need more calories.

We actually have a place similar to that in the next town. Sounds like a pretty good concept for busy working folks. I have heard hte price is not too bad either considering the time and gas you save from running around shopping.

I don't know about other companies, but Nolting sells used, reconditioned machines at good prices and has great tech support. Too bad I don't have the space or the physical ability to use one.

Well, good thing you are from Minnesota. I'm the hot dish/meatloaf type of cook.