QBee's New Frame

Y'all do know that Qbee is just using her friend as a guinea pig to work out the bugs in her new set up don't you?

TxMaryQuilts wrote:

Y'all do know that Qbee is just using her friend as a guinea pig to work out the bugs in her new set up don't you?

How's she gonna strap her to the frame to test it?? Will she quilt an allover friendship pattern on her do you think or just meander?

TxMaryQuilts wrote:

Y'all do know that Qbee is just using her friend as a guinea pig to work out the bugs in her new set up don't you?

Well, I kept thinking about what you said Mary Ann. We had lots to learn and a number of bugs to work out. Whew. But Pat got a baby quilt, lap quilt, and queen quilt done between Wednesday afternoon and Saturday evening.

I had my sewing machine set up so I could sew while Pat quilted. I had to be right there to keep teaching Pat about using the machine and taking care of little problems, so I didn't get a lot of sewing done.

Of course, Pat and I have been friends for 42 years so we worked well together and had fun along the way. I'm afraid now that I learned what's involved in guiding someone through using my machine I'm going to be selfish about sharing. . . unless it's my DH who I keep encouraging to take up quilting as a couple's activity, but it ain't gonna happen. He'll never be a dancer or a quilter.

sounds like you had a great time, Qbee....did you take any pictures???

QB do you have one of those things on the machine that sews the patterns for you [ QBot or similar ] or do you have to free motion quilt it ? I bought one of these frames [ not your brand , our Aus one ] a couple of years ago. Was going to do marvels with it. Mine sits on a table but you can put legs on it. I can't leave mine up all the time because I use that room for Friendship group and need the space . Anyway.... I set it up once [ took so long !] practiced for a couple of days, felt I was useless and packed it away , never to see the light since . Maybe over Christmas / New Year when we have a month of group meetings I should have another try.

HP - no, my HandiQuilter does not do computerized quilting. I could add the computer for about $8,000 so I won't be having it ever. I do meandering freehand swirls and loops, and I'm not great at it. I also have a few plastic templates that I can guide the foot around to so shapes or reasonably straight lines. I only do quilts for us and our family. Even though my quilting is mediocre it holds those three layers together, and that satisfies me.

The picture doesn't show how truly lovely the colors are, but this is Pat's 4 Patch Posies quilt, fresh off the quilting frame and laid out for Pat and I to ooh and aah.

You will become more confident with it the more you use it. I use pantos for anything more intricate that I want. I do not think I will ever conquer doing fancy feathers and stuff freehand. And I am good with that. Like you, I quilt for family. I will never turn it into a business because the stress factor would make it way too costly.

I am glad you had fun with your friend. I did find that teaching my sis and my friend to use the machine helped to reinforce the knowledge in my head.

I have panto capability on one side of mine and freehand on the other. I was absolutely useless with the pantos could not follow them at all . I wouldn't care if they weren't perfect as in reality , unless it is a solid fabric, the quilting doesn't really show up that much. I just had a quilt returned from the quilter and after agonizing over what pattern to have quilted on it I can't even see the quilting !! Just know it is there

thats a lovely quilt just wish I could see her quilting...

OOOOOOO AAAAAHHHHHHH, That really is a quilt to oo and ah over. I love the colors and layout. Really nice!!

Lovely quilt and glad you had some fun time together with Pat, thats worth so much in itself, did Tom keep clear or did he cook and provide for the girls retreat?

Gimpy Cat wrote:

Lovely quilt and glad you had some fun time together with Pat, thats worth so much in itself, did Tom keep clear or did he cook and provide for the girls retreat?

He did some "bar-tending" and kitchen clean-up, and also some staying clear. Tom worked at the office most of the day on Saturday. He likes the uninterrupted time. When we were having a little issue with the frame Saturday afternoon I called and he came dashing home. He's certainly learned a lot of quilting machine and frame terminology and mechanics in the paste few months.

Please tell your friend we are all drooling on that beautiful quilt!

Glad you had fun...you are a good friend to give up your time to help your friend! Hugs to you!

I have several flimsies just waiting for that Handiquilter. Thank you marynel for teaching me that Flimsy term.

Flimsies:

1. Twin for the spare bedroom
2. Throw for my sister
3. Throw for my other sister
4. Throw for myself
5. Baby quilt

That is so bad.

Sounds like just was right, there when needed and giving you peace the rest of the time, bar tender too, what a man!

that is a lovely quilt.

My guild has practice days from time to time. Someone will set up 2 pieces of fabric and batting. Then everyone just plays with FMQ. Eventually, the whole thing is turned into lots of potholders for the senior center, etc. People who would never try new things on a quilt learn to do amazing patterns. What the group here suggests is taking a marking pen and practicing first on old newspapers. Something I tried is cursive, which is actually a pretty good way to get used to controlling the machine. I liked it so well I have included it in several quilts. I wrote Bible verses on one quilt. The person who commissioned it said he was finding "new" ones several years later. The Rock Star quilt just went to its final, I think, home. The band members were thrilled to find names of the places where they had played. Some patterns, like 5 pointed stars, vines and hearts are pretty easy. I love doing a border wave pattern which is simple once you get into the flow.

I'm about ready to buy a used machine. I am going to look at one on Sunday. Does anyone had a Hinterberg frame? I've seen good and bad things about it. Hard to know who to believe. Since I live in a large metro area, there are occasionally machines on craigslist.com.

The one I'm going to look at is a Voyager 17 with the Hinterberg frame. It doesn't have a stitch regulator, but since I free motion so much on my own sewing machine, I'm not sure I need it. Just a matter of getting the hang of the machine. I could add it if I just can't get used to this machine.

The good thing is the machine and frame are listed at $1800. Was originally $2,000, but recently reduced. For that kind of money, it really would be worth it for me. Right now I have enough quilt tops done that if I sent them out it would cost about 1/2 the price of this machine. How do you like that for a way to sell this to my husband?

Anyway, my husband's only objection is that I now I have taken over the following with quilting/sewing:

1/2 the TV/Family room
the walk in closet in one bedroom and the end of that room with a design wall.

This would mean a third room would be for the long arm. He doesn't know yet how HUGE this baby is. We won't need to reveal that just yet. TEE HEE.

Any thoughts from the peanut gallery? OMG, I'm turning into my mom. She used to say that all the time.

I have taken over a lot of the house with my quilting? Two bedrooms and the "formal"dining room. Remember that room in th center hall colonials? Sometimes called a parlor? My HQ16 on a 10.5 foot table in that room. I gave my furniture to my DD years ago and set up my HQ. DH didn't care at all. He even put up track lighting for me. It won't be a selling point.

Miss Mommy. You are my idol.

We have company too often, so I can't take over the livingroom. I'm thinking we should move the TV to the living room instead of our family room and I can take over the family room. There's a thought.

LOL....my only thought on the matter....you're right...don't let him know how big that frame is until he sets it up!
Congrats on the purchase!!!

I think WE need another room for quilting Right now I only have the tiny dining alcove off the kitchen and the bedroom closet. for those with the space, I say, "Go for it!"

Luvs you can "research" a certain machine until you are blue in the face and you will find the same thing everytime-people who love it/people who hate it. I have come to believe that the only research that counts is "hands on" research. Try it, see if you like it. If you can't get good stitches because you are not used to it, have the owner do some quilting to show you if the tension is good, if the stitch length is consistent etc. If they do not have it set up to use, DO NOT buy it without trying it. There is a reason they don't want you to demo it.

Free motion on your domestic is not at all the same as quilting on a long arm. I never could get the hang of it on my first machine so I put a stitch regulator on it and had that "Aha", moment. My Tin Lizzie does have a stitch regulator and I love it. BUT that is just me. Even with a stitch regulator, I am not that great of a quilter. I do know LAs who do not have a stitch regulator who do way more intricate work than I do. So do give yourself some time to learn. It takes a bit.

From my limited kowledge, as long as the frame feels sturdy, it is probably as good as any other frame and Hinterburg is a good name.