So this is the debut of my 'new to me' long arm. It is on a 12' table and takes up a huge portion of my sewing room. I have had to rearrange a lot of stuff and move things around and out of my sewing room to make space. I had it for just about 2 weeks before I got up my courage to actually use it. I am thrilled with my purchase and I think even though it was an investment of cash that it is an investment in me! I plan on using it for many, many years to come and to quilt many, many quilts for family, friends, charity and just plain old quilts for me too.
A couple weeks ago, my sister Cheryl spent two nights at my place and we loaded up some old sheets with batting in between to do a practice run and I found it quite challenging to quilt with it at first. Once I did the practice run we loaded one of her quilts on the machine and I did my very first pantograph on it. It was really difficult to follow the lines but I did eventually get better with it as I worked on it.
Picture a rag caught up and dangling from the hook - ouch! |
After all of that adventure, this is how my sister's quilt turned out - not too bad - I think I did a pretty good job with it!
10 comments:
as with all new endeavor - practice, practice, practice... If you're like me, you'll have a love/hate relationship with your machine. Love it when it's doing as you expect, hate it when it's not just right... But I wouldn't want to be without my Tin Lizzy for anything..
Have fun and enjoy the journey.
WOW! So exciting! I fought with my new machine for most of a day before I realized I hadn't threaded it correctly. And I tried to sew through a ruler once and thought I had killed it. You will be amazed at how much easier it gets though, and how fast you get better. I started with a big meander, then a small meander, the a loop and a double loop. There are so many variations on simple themes to get you started. Don't forget YouTube so many inspirational videos to enjoy. Most of all ENJOY
What a wonderful new addition to your sewing room, and a great adventure in quilting. I love my mid-arm, and wouldn't turn back!
Congratulations!! I love my machine, most of the time. And you aren't alone with the rag thing. I've done it too, with the same resulting panic.And you are right about APQS support. They are fabulous.
Congratulations on your milli! I have a millennium as well and had interesting mishaps along the way as well. It gets easier and you get more confident and yes the APQS service team is wonderful. Nice job on your first quilt, lovely pantograph.
Beautiful job! It will get easier each time you quilt one. I am so excited for you... I know you were thinking of this purchase for awhile - enjoy it.
I know what you mean about working up the courage to get started. Good for you that you did!
So exciting! The first quilt looks fantastic!
Yah Ellen!
Ellen, yes it happens! You'vegot to run over the ruler now for shock number two! The great thing about our APQS machines is that they're very robust and fixing things can be done by our hubbies!
I have only a mid-arm setup but I can totally relate: the fear of actually starting, doing something that DH has to fix. I laughed out loud when I read that he "told me not to do that again!" Husbands! So funny! Congratulations on both!
Hi Ellen
Love your APQS. Thanks for the beautiful quilting you did on Deanna's quilt. We will see you again this weekend for more fun and adventures on your APQS. Love sis
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