Melaniebob Posted January 8, 2007 Report Share Posted January 8, 2007 I got my new George machine right after the Houston quilt show. It is amazing machine. I got five! qults doone in time for Christmas. (the tops were a;lready done). I was thinking about a Long Arm, but was lookiong ahead to future space in a downsized home. i was also concerned about standing for long hours. The George was easy to use. I have spent hours just playing with the tension and practicing. It has been a lot of fun. And I actually got quilts done!! Melanie in Sugar Land Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinams Posted January 8, 2007 Report Share Posted January 8, 2007 It sounds lilke you are having fun. Tina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melaniebob Posted January 8, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2007 Yep, I sure am. I was ready to start sending my quilts out to be done. I am very happy I can now do them myself. Melanie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LA Posted January 8, 2007 Report Share Posted January 8, 2007 Hi Melanie! I am very impressed that you have done 5 quilts already! I love having George in my shop, it is so great to see people sit down & quilt with such proficiency right away. We would love to see some pictures when you are ready! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janeta Posted January 8, 2007 Report Share Posted January 8, 2007 Congratulations! Having fun while we "play" is what it is all about. Keep on quilting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathy Posted January 8, 2007 Report Share Posted January 8, 2007 I am intrigued by the George because my space is a little cramped. One question I have is how you get the quilt set up. Do you have to baste it before quilting the way you do for hand quilting? Kathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LA Posted January 8, 2007 Report Share Posted January 8, 2007 Hi Kathy~ Yes you need to baste, the best thing that I have found for basting is the fusible Hobbs 80/20. Quick, clean & no sticky over spray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannfarley Posted January 8, 2007 Report Share Posted January 8, 2007 I do love George! I have had George in my studio since July - and have not counted the quilts finished, but it has been a lot. I had a wonderful Millie, but due to arthritis, standing and shoulder movements did not work well for me. George has been an answer to a prayer. Moving the fabric has been much easier for me, esp with the large throat space. DH made a large work table for me so I have a good space for pin-basting. I did a lot of quilting on my Bernina for years before Millie, so the process was an easy transition. Besides, I really like the feel of the fabric. I sold my Millie to one of my best friends and she loves it! (Plus, I get to visit anytime I want to...) Joann Independence, MO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magelio Posted January 9, 2007 Report Share Posted January 9, 2007 Congratulations on your new George! I just contacted the Wisconsin dealer and will be putting my order in for George in a few days. I am very, very excited. I have been pondering this decision since September and decided to go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra Darlington Posted January 9, 2007 Report Share Posted January 9, 2007 Is the George stitch regulated? Is it easy to SID on a George? Do you need to hold a ruler in one and move the quilt with your other hand, or do you just do it the way you would if it was a Bernina or DOM? Are points difficult to do correctly? Can you do pantographs? Are you only able to do free motion or stencil designs? I'm trying to figure out the advantages and disadvantages to a George vs a Millie or Liberty. Just lots of questions..I hope someone can answer. Thanks, Sandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathy Posted January 9, 2007 Report Share Posted January 9, 2007 Thanks, Linda, for the idea of using fusible batting. So simple, but the thought never occured to me. Kathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melaniebob Posted January 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Sandy the George does not have a stitch regulator. I have heard that one may be in the works, However, I think with practice you may not need one. I have been surprised how consistent my stitches are. I spend a fair amount of time practicing before I start a quilt . I have only done all over meandering and loop de loops and one star pattern. the points were okay. . I am getting ready to do a quilt with a flower motif. I expect it to be a litle bit harder. I am not sure what you mean by the ruler in one hand?? The things I considered before buying was the space, not having to stand, and being closer to the actual stiching. George fit the bill for everthing I was looking for. Melanie:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannfarley Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 You are right about the need for a stitch regulator, Melanie. I have heard one is in the development stage and should be able to retrofit to my machine, but I don't think I would be too anxious to do that. With practice my stitches have been very consistent, and I'm finding it easy to stitch slowly when I need that extra bit of accuracy - SID, etc - and still maintain even stitches. I keep practice pieces handy all the time and put in 20 min. or so before I start stitching on a quilt. It's great to be able to warm up a bit before you hit the big time, and it is easy to pick up a practice piece and try out a desigh before you commit it to the quilt. Much less frogging in my life! With the foot that is on George you can't use the rulers you use on a longarm. You can mark stencil designs and easily quilt them. The rest is freehand fun. Joann Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra Darlington Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Melanie, Thanks for answering my questions. Joann, thanks, you answered my other one. It sounds like a very nice machine. I wish you success with yours and hope to see pictures of the quilts you stitch. Sandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MleS Posted January 20, 2007 Report Share Posted January 20, 2007 Hi, I am planning on a George in the very near future. Can you tell me how the setup was? Does the machine plug into regular household current. How long did the setup take? Thanks for your help. Emily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melaniebob Posted January 20, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2007 Hi Emily, Yes the machine plugs into regular household current. I brought mine off the floor at the Houston Quilt Show, so the table was already put together. It was easy to put the machine into the table. There are a couple of things not in the instruction manual. One is the kind of bobbins to use. the other is how to use a bobbin case. I have a drop in bobbin machine and have never used a machine with a bobbin case. I had to visit a friend and ask for help with that one. I am not sure why that is not in the manual. Other than that, I was quilting within a few days. One thing to keep in mind, it is not a domestic machine. For instance I have had to adjust the tension control a lot. there are no numbers on the dial. I put a red dot of paint on the dial so I could remember where I started adujsting.I have also gotten spoiled with the needle threader on my domestic machine. But it is no problem now threading the George. I think it's a great machine. I expect to be using it for many years. feel free to ask any other questions. Melanie :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MleS Posted January 20, 2007 Report Share Posted January 20, 2007 Hi Melanie, I really appreciate your information. Will keep you posted. Thanks again. Emily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MleS Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Hi Melanie, I have one more question. Does the George have an stitch up/down button? I haven't heard anything about that. Thanks in advance for your help. Emily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilesliemy Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Yes, it does have needle up/down. Leslie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melaniebob Posted January 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Hi Emily, Yes it does have a needle up/ down. It also has a speed control. You can set the speed that is comfortable for you and leave it there. So are you getting really serious about the George? Melanie:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MleS Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Hi Melanie, Sure am. I am waiting for my husband to figure out our taxes first. We hope we don't have to pay a bundle. I am buying George simply for my own quilts. Right now I have four of them waiting to be quilted. Do you do work for others? Emily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melaniebob Posted January 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 Hi Emily, No I don't work for others. I find it to hard to figure out my own quilting designs, no way could I do that for someone else. I had at least a dozen quilts pieced. I am working my way through the pile of them. I was ready to start thinking about sending my quilts out to be done. I am very thankful I don;t have to now. Let me know when you get it. Melanie:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MleS Posted February 9, 2007 Report Share Posted February 9, 2007 Hi All You George Owners, I am planning to order my George in a few days but I have a question that has been bothering me for a while. Hopefully you can help. I live in Florida and there is no George dealer here, from what I understand. I don't even know where the nearest one would be. Should George need repairs, what do I do? Also, what about routine maintenance? I appreciate your help. Emily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LA Posted February 9, 2007 Report Share Posted February 9, 2007 Hi Emily, If you drop me a line I will give you our showroom George dealer's personal cell#. She will take good care of you! Linda Lou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melaniebob Posted February 9, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2007 Hi Emily, I have called the customer service number. the person that answered was very helpful in getting through the problem. I have read somewhere that every 3-4 years you need to send it back to get regular maintence on it. So when you get yours, it would probably be helpful to keep the box the machine comes in. The regular maintence is pretty straightforword. I have not found it diffucult to do. the hardest part is sitting under the table to clean the bobbin area. have fun. Melanie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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