Joan did it Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Just looking for input on these handles, how do you like them, do you use them offen, are they a must. Do you have any controls, like on, off right at your finger tips. Can you see all the area you are working on, or just by the hopping foot?? Would you use these to micro stipple, or McTavish around applique - stitch in the ditch???? Thanks Joan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbm Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Joan, I don't have these handles, but I certainly lust after them! Especially after seeing Marilyn Badger demonstrate them at the recent Rep Rally in Iowa.:P:P To answer your questions: --No controls on the handles, you still have to use the buttons on the larger handles, but it looked easy at the demo. --You can see a relatively large area around the hopping foot- more than enough to do the fine work the handles are designed for. --Use them to microstipple, outline around applique, anywhere you need extra-close control of your stitching You'll have to wait for someone who uses the handles to chime in here about whether they are a must - but if anyone's got a pair for sale, I'm in the market!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joan did it Posted February 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Thanks Barb for the quick answer. I still think I need them to get down and close to the needle, for control, but not scary close. I also just ordered the edgerider wheels - hope to control the squarcal thing!!!!!!!!! Joan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Joan, I have them and use them all the time! I much prefer to have my hands down closer to the quilt and find myself using them all the time. I just feel like I have a whole lot more control that way! I use them for feathers, SID and a ruler too, applique and lots of things. I can't imagine having the control I want without them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primitive1 Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 I use mine alot too, although when I use my ruler I find that I keep the right micro handle down to use and keep the ruler on the left side. I do find that they give me great control when I am doing something really detailed. Vicki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheri Butler Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 I use mine too. Love it for ALL THE ABOVE!!! If the applique is big enough, (not small intricate to go around) then I just use Deloa Jone's Appliguide and my handle on my millie. But, if their small, I definitly use the Micro drive handles!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 I have them and use them a lot too. I just recently took them off because I gave my Millie a good cleaning, and I haven't put them back on yet. I am working on a custom quilt and will be needing the micro drive, so back on they go. I don't ususally take them off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Love my handles, worth every penny!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
countrystitcher Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Love the Hartley handles...use them for detail work, applique, the small stuff...I don't like using them with rulers, just seems like too much stuff around the needle area. On my Lenni the lights are just about the needle, so using the handles blocks some of the light, so I've had to get used to that situation. Anyone else have a remedy. Just for APQS home office, the lights were better on the upper handles, up and out of the way. Sharon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtreusch Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 I'll be the party pooper. I hate them and I wouldn't spend money on them if I had it to do over again. They are clunky, block my view, difficult to use and get in the way if I'm not using them. I put them on and use them only when absolutely necessary (usually for small applique). As soon as I am done with them, then come off immediately. Debbi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbm Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Ya wanna sell yours, Debbi? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtreusch Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Good idea Barb. I hadn't thought about that!! I just curse them every time I have to use them. Debbi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hollyrw Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 I'm sorta with Debbi. They came with my machine. I tried them in the beginning and didn't like them. I think I should give them a try again now that I'm more comfortable with the machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra Darlington Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 I have mixed feelings about them, too. I would like to leave them on so they are ready when I need them, but I keep scraping the back of my hand when I do ruler work. I can't seem to get the left side up in such a position to get my hand under it where I need it and not wack my knuckles on the microdrive. I have a Liberty, so I might have less space than someone with a larger machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witha'K'quilting Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 I have them too on my Millie. I like them when I use them...but the heat of the light really gets me when using them. I really want to move my lightbar. I leave them down all the time as it is easier than raising them out of the way. I probably don't use them as much as other folks do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbm Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 I'm seriously in the market for a set of micro-handles. E-mail or U2U will both reach me!:P:P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Originally posted by Mary Beth I have them and use them a lot too. I just recently took them off because I gave my Millie a good cleaning, and I haven't put them back on yet. I am working on a custom quilt and will be needing the micro drive, so back on they go. I don't ususally take them off. I have been reading others messages and so I re-read my message to make sure I said what I meant.... I use my handles sometimes...not often....in fact I probably should be using them now because I am doing some small meander...but I'm not...I don't have them on the machine. So when I use them they are helpful...but I don't use them a lot....but I don't do a lot of tiny work either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Originally posted by sandradarlington I have mixed feelings about them, too. I would like to leave them on so they are ready when I need them, but I keep scraping the back of my hand when I do ruler work. I can't seem to get the left side up in such a position to get my hand under it where I need it and not wack my knuckles on the microdrive. I have a Liberty, so I might have less space than someone with a larger machine. Sandra I will only hit my knuckles if I push the handle up all the way. If I put it only half (straight to the back) it isn't a problem at all. It took me a while to figure that out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtreusch Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Barb, As much as I hate them, I'll have to keep mine too for lack of a better tool when I need them. If something better comes along I'd be more than happy to get rid of the them. But until then..... Debbi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RitaR Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 I use mine, sometimes more than others. With me it's a case of Gotta use them for this or Like in just outlining something small, I just use my first finger left hand. I do notice the lack of light, no solution yet. and Klutz that I am, I constantly scrape or bruise the back of my hands. RitaR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheri Butler Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Kristina P. I moved my lightbar to the backside. AND I LOVE IT! It lights up the area nice, AND I can see farther back on the quilt, and I LOVE THAT too!! Let me see if I saved a pic of it somewhere.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rrteach Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 I bought the micro handles used and I 'm not sure where on the shaft they should be mounted. Should they be up against the light or down lower? It seems that they would interfere with the path of the thread. Am I looking at it wrong? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katydids Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Linda. On one side of the drive (the part that mounts) there is an angled cutout or notch. That is the side that you put towards the thread path. It allows the thread to flow without hitting on the microdrive. I hope this makes sense, if not I will take a photo and post it (when I get a chance). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoryJM Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Sheri, thanks for posting the picture of how you attached your light. I've wanted to move mine since coming back from Darlene Epps', but haven't been able to convince my husband. Being able to show him this will do the trick! And I'm second in line behind Barb. If anyone has micro-handles that they want to sell, I'm in the market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mitchell Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 As a Authorized Hartley dealer we sell quite a few Micro Drive handles. We have had them in our studio for years. If you are not going to use them for a while just remove the Phillips screws and leave the mount on the needle bar housing. This way they do not get in your way and can be installed in a few minutes. If you are interested in any Hartley products just contact us. We only charge actual shipping charges and take MC/Visa. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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