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quiltmonkey

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  1. Like
    quiltmonkey reacted to HelenS in Long Arming "Hot Mess" Quilts   
    Well, I guess I've solved the "hairy, smelly quilts" issue in a way we never expected.
    We have moved from Washington State to Kentucky to be closer to family. 
    My husband has been dealing with cancer and heart issues the past five years and we're both in our mid 70's now, so I sort of took it upon myself to begin searching for a home nearer to family who can help if needed. When he saw what I'd found in a home and the awesome price, he readily agreed to the move.  Hubby is in remission at this time and we are so very thankful for that after nearly 54 years of marriage! 
    Our eldest grandson helped with the long-distance inspections, etc, and we bought a house sight unseen! WHEW! It needs a few changes here and there, (and I'm sure grandson will be helping, lol), but it's a great home and we're enjoying the wonderful views of the countryside and mountains in the distance. We sold all our furniture and things that wouldn't fit into a U-Haul Pod, shipped what we coculdn't part with and hit the road in my new Kia Soul. It was a fun adventure, and we're finally settled again. 
    My Lenni is set up again and I'm happy as a clam to be able to work on my own quilts for now. 
    Many thanks for all the input on the above subject! I'll keep all the suggestions in mind, should I decide to quilt for others again.
  2. Like
    quiltmonkey reacted to ffq-lar in Long Arming "Hot Mess" Quilts   
    Hot Mess is right! Why is it so hard to set boundaries when we are inately generous? Eighty is not that old if she's active enough to sew a top every month! Explain to her that the pet hair has become a problem---that the hair/dander transfers to your leaders/clothes/area and while you aren't allergic, you may have others you quilt for who are. If she can't clean them up to remove the hair and the smell (yuck!) (or have a friend do that for her) you gently and reluctantly tell her you will need to stop quilting for her. This is absolutely appropriate and I guess I'm not kind enough to continue doing something that makes me miserable every month when she has some control over the issues.  Bless her, of course, for still having the passion for piecing. But your time and talent are your own to manage and you should not have to do so many extra tasks to make her quilt presentable when she doesn't recognize the issues and has no incentive to help. Does she have a close friend that you can bring into the mix---who can be the go-between for suggestions and boundaries? Sorry if this seems harsh, but I'm also "old" and would like to spend my longarming time stitching and not fixing someone elses careless piecing and smelly, hairy tops. 
  3. Like
    quiltmonkey got a reaction from Barbara Conquest in Loyal customers. ???   
    Custom quilting is beautiful, but the pantos and freehands are the money makers. 
  4. Like
    quiltmonkey got a reaction from mswings in Ruler base   
    It depends. If I'm going to do a lot of custom work, I leave my RulerMate bolted on. It doesn't get in the way or cause problems. 
  5. Like
    quiltmonkey reacted to barbm in Model year help   
    Norma,
    According to records provided by APQS, 02739 was built in 2003.
  6. Like
    quiltmonkey reacted to srichardson in Barb Mayfield Is AMAZING!!!   
    I am sorry to hear about your loss.  You have had so many big changes to cope with.  Happy to hear that Barb was able to help you with your Millie and hope that it will bring you some peace.
  7. Like
    quiltmonkey reacted to Schlick in Barb Mayfield Is AMAZING!!!   
    Virginia,
    I agree, Barb is pretty amazing and APQS is lucky to have her. Some time this next summer I’m going to take a little road trip to see Barb. I have an older Lenni that I love but I’d like to test drive a few of the newer machines. 
    I’m sorry about your husband. And then to leave your home and move 1/2 way across the country is a huge upset. I hope your quilting brings you joy. 
  8. Upvote
    quiltmonkey reacted to mswings in Barb Mayfield Is AMAZING!!!   
    Just wanted to let everyone know, Barb Mayfield is an angel!!! I have had a really rough time for the last 2 years. My husband passed away unexpectedly after knee surgery and I moved from my home in Lenexa Ks to Bremerton Washington to live with my daughter and her family. Everything I own is packed in her storage shed or her basement. My Millie included. It hasn't been set up for a year. I finally got a place to set her up and I couldn't fiqure out how to do it. I called Barb at APQs Northwest and she took the time to come across Puget Sound to get me all set up! She made it so easy for me and acted like it was no big deal! To me, it was huge. Quilting is my happy place and I didn't know if I would ever be able to set Millie up again. But thanks to Barb, I am back to quilting again.  I don't know if I will ever be able to afford my own house again and I miss that terribly. But at least I can quilt and that gives me solace. My life will never be the same but I can still quilt to take my mind off everything I've lost. APQS is the most amazing company with the best machines and best representatives possible. You can't go wrong with them! Anyway, just wanted to shout out to everyone here on the forum that I am grateful for my decision to buy my Millie when I did. I know I'm preaching to the choir because all of you have made the same choice and I know you all love your machines.
    Happy Quilting
     
  9. Like
    quiltmonkey reacted to Deb in the Mtns in Moving questions - advice and tips appreciated!   
    We will be relocating from New England to NC in the next few months and I am looking for any and all advice on moving my Lenni.  I have a 12 ft blissed table.
     
    I have the original box for Lenni .... but moving the frame and rails....?  I think I read somewhere about using pool noodles to cover the rails and wrap them extra with padding?

    Advice?  Suggestions?  Tips?

    Thanks all!
  10. Like
    quiltmonkey got a reaction from dbams in Downsizing Frame   
    You can hire a welder or pipefitter to cut your rollers and table to the length you want, just make sure they measure the original lengths of the table and the roller bars before cutting so that the trimmed down roller bars fit snugly into the joins on the support legs at each end of the table. For example, if your current table top is 14' and your rollers are 14' 6", you need to be mindful of that 6" measurement on the rollers. 
  11. Upvote
    quiltmonkey got a reaction from Marie E in Downsizing Frame   
    You can hire a welder or pipefitter to cut your rollers and table to the length you want, just make sure they measure the original lengths of the table and the roller bars before cutting so that the trimmed down roller bars fit snugly into the joins on the support legs at each end of the table. For example, if your current table top is 14' and your rollers are 14' 6", you need to be mindful of that 6" measurement on the rollers. 
  12. Upvote
    quiltmonkey reacted to ffq-lar in How to quilt and avoid pleats on backing?   
    If you plan to start in the center, stabilizing the entire top first is a good idea. Don't stabilize it off-frame---it's easy to do by loading and floating the quilt. Work from the center out, using the longest stitch on your machine. It can be thread-basted or secured with pins. If you use pins, it's easier to adjust areas as you quilt. If you thread-baste, stitching can be removed in areas if adjustment is needed. Just some random advice from a long-time quilter-for-hire who has seen every combo of fabric/thread/backer from customers--- Flannel as a backer has it's own set of challenges. It shrinks like crazy (up to 10% depending on manufacturer, so a 108" flannel backer can shrink down to 97" easily) so pre-shrinking flannel is necessary. If it's quilted before shrinking, the first laundering will result in more crinkle and bulges than you'll like, especially with the non-shrinking poly batting mentioned. Flannel stretches more than woven fabric, so check with each pass for problems on the back and make sure you have steady and consistent tension on the backer to avoid pleats. Not super-tight or you'll stretch the flannel and get "balloons" on the back side, especially if you are using lofty batting. My experience is that Monopoly should be avoided in the bobbin. It's slick and needs a bobbin thread with some "bite" to grab and make a nice stitch. (I think Dawn C gives this same advice.) I use BottomLine pre-wounds with invisible thread---the weight is similar to Monopoly and it works well. You have options as to quilting sequence but can fully stitch an area with FMQ and your SID/ruler work at the same time, especially if you won't have any top-thread changes. Good luck!
  13. Upvote
    quiltmonkey got a reaction from dbams in Quilting suggestions, please!   
    Looks fabulous!!
  14. Like
    quiltmonkey reacted to Neaner in quilting inherited tops?   
    I have just inherited three antique quilts that an Aunt of mine quilted.  Her Motherwho would be my Grandmother, was a quilter and apparently taught her to quilt at a young age.  Both are deceased and I never met either one of them.  A cousin of mine inherited them in a cedar chest from Aunt Vera.  They lived in Iowa.  Recently my cousin told me after hearing me talking about quilting that she had the quilts and thought they would be better off with me.  Two were quilt tops and one was a completed quilt. One top is tumbling blocks and the completed quilt we are looking for the name of the design.  I have a Grandmothers Flower Garden and that will be my first top to tackle.  One flower was apparently chewed by mice while in storage. I spent 3 days creating a new flower.  IT WORKED!!!  Our guestimate would be that this quilt is 100 years old.  I am also concerned about hand quilting it and what type of thread to use as the fabric seems so fragile in comparison to our cotton fabrics.  The flowers are surrounded with white hexigons and I used an antique handkerchief to replace damaged pieces.  Those hankies are fragile also and worked out beautifully.  That will give you an  idea of the texture of some of the fabrics in it.  I read article after article about washing them and finally put them in the bathtub with some special detergent and Oxi Clean as suggested in an article.  I took the chance and you would not believe how beautiful the colors are and how white the white is now.  I dried them over the porch railing.   If you could help me decide what thread to use I will soon be ready to sandwich Grandmothers Flower Garden and quilting.  I think it will take me forever to quilt it but I am so thrilled to be taking care of it. I would appreciate any comments you have.   
  15. Upvote
    quiltmonkey reacted to ffq-lar in Labyrinth quilt   
    A customer quilt from 2019. I did a combo of feathers, CCs, and freehand swirls. Every area/border was stitched differently-but-similar.

  16. Upvote
    quiltmonkey reacted to mamu in Cutting Off a Customer?   
    SueD is correct.  You didn't quilt her quilt, she rented your machine and did it herself and that is what she will tell her friends and family...she did it ALL.  This in no way reflects badly on you.  Quite the opposite, she will tell them how much you helped her.  For being in business of quilting for others, you need to take the bad tops with the good tops.  You start picking and choosing what tops you will quilt and what you won't you WILL get a very bad reputation!  
    I do agree that quilt instructors need to properly teach finish techniques, which most do not.  I quilt for others and will 'fix' a wavy border on the first quilt. I do tell the owner the problems with the quilt and instruct on how to correct that in the future.  Should I get more quilts from this person with the same problems, then I charge more money and tell them why the cost went up. It doesn't take too many of the increase in fees for them to do their quilts properly!!   I have Never refused to quilt for a person because their quilt wasn't up to my person standards! 
  17. Upvote
    quiltmonkey reacted to ffq-lar in Cutting Off a Customer?   
    Now she knows that she needs to piece better and you know what to look for. I agree it's all her work and not yours so don't be concerned it will mar your reputation. Don't help her and don't hover unless you're concerned about her damaging your machine. If she asks for advice, be generous, but you aren't hired to give piecing lessons. Nor are you hired to give her quilting lessons, I suppose---just to show the mechanics and stand back. One of two things will happen if she continues to be a customer---she'll improve her piecing and have nice flat quilts, or she won't improve and become discouraged because her quilts have so many flaws (and probably stop coming). I'm betting on the former! Who isn't entranced by a nicely quilted quilt that one makes from start to finish? You may eventually lose her anyway when/if she decides to buy her own longarm!
  18. Upvote
    quiltmonkey reacted to ffq-lar in SID on a large quilt   
    If you plan to do all SID first, start in the center. That's where the most fullness will live and where the eye focuses first, so it needs to be flat and symmetrical. The big issue with this is what happens to the rest of the quilt when you start in the middle. You'll need to float it, so secure the top edge of the top with pins (don't stitch it down because you may need to re-position it later). Then advance to the center, smoothing as you advance. When you reach the center, adjust so it's symmetrical then stitch baste or pin baste horizontally above and below the center. Then baste the entire top, stepping out from the center and keeping areas straight and flat. You will immediately see where else there is fullness and needing extra care. I've quilted over twenty Judy Niemeyer quilts as a pro, and none of them was flat---ever. With it fully basted, you can start anywhere you like, but I'd do the center first. Also, you aren't stuck with doing all the SID first if it involves a lot of thread color changes. You can SID and custom quilt a section at a time. The photo is my latest---Dinnerplate Dahlia. Good luck and have fun!

  19. Like
    quiltmonkey reacted to dbams in Quilting suggestions, please!   
    "Lots of stops and starts with concentric circles."
    Good point, Shana!
  20. Like
    quiltmonkey got a reaction from dbams in Quilting suggestions, please!   
    Lots of stops and starts with concentric circles. But it would look cool. Have fun, whatever you choose to do
  21. Like
    quiltmonkey got a reaction from dbams in Quilting suggestions, please!   
    This is really pretty. I love the pattern and I've wanted to make one for myself! 
    If you have circle boards with spirals or swirls, that would look really cool edge to edge. If you're not good with pantos, would you consider doing freehand continuous curve arcs? Personally, if it were me I would do an edge to edge pattern, something spiral or swirly all across the entire quilt with a subtle thread, light gray or off white. 
    Show us the finished quilt! 
  22. Like
    quiltmonkey reacted to kerri in HQ sixteen motor stalling   
    DB,
    I'm so glad to hear you found the problem! phew! It is a very sturdy machine and I hope you have lots of fun!
    Bonnie is right, a local HQ16 dealer should be the most helpful. I think that is how HQ tried to structure the sales and service.
    Happy Quilting
  23. Like
    quiltmonkey reacted to DB in HQ sixteen motor stalling   
    OMG You guys are the best! I called Handi Quilter earlier today and got no where, I'm still waiting for a call back. Within 5 minutes of posting my problem here, I had the answer. Kerri, Thank you so much, if you were here I'd hug you. I did what you said, quite honestly didn't know that the hand wheel was the hand wheel until you mentioned it. Got the needle up and sure enough there was a 1/2" of thread wrapped around the needle. It's back to running just fine. I can't believe that was the problem. Bonnie, Thank you for your words of encouragement, I was quite hesitant about buying a used machine, but the previous owner let me try it out and walked me through it. It was hardly used, she showed me what she quilted on it, one big quilt and a bunch of baby quilts for charity. Simple stippling, nothing fancy. Purchased in 2004, serviced and had a stitch requlator added 2006, I checked with Handi Quilter. I don't think quilting was her thing, she has a bunch of embroidery machines and does alot of that. I had my heart set on a Lenni, maybe even a George because of my space but couldn't pass this up. Thank you both again, DB
  24. Like
    quiltmonkey reacted to kerri in HQ sixteen motor stalling   
    Hi,
    That message will come up and the machine will stop, as a safety feature when something is blocking the operation of the needle (ex. needle stuck in a really thick seam). If you had it off to the side without any fabric, you may have gotten some thread stuck in the bobbin race somewhere. With the machine off, you need to clear it and then turn it back on. It should then come up normally to the menu.
    Rotate your hand wheel a half turn at a time and check the bobbin area for stuck threads. I'm not sure if the needle was damaged, but you might want to check that too.
  25. Upvote
    quiltmonkey reacted to ffq-lar in Bobbin case   
    You won't want to force it, but can you rock the hand wheel at all? Remove the needle in case that's part of the problem. Spray some WD-40 all over the case and remove the needle plate to spray from the top, to ease things along. If it's a thread snarl stopping things, a soak overnight might help soften things up.  Last solution---remove the bobbin assembly completely. That will require retiming, but may be the last resort. The jammed bobbin case will be much easier to work on outside the machine. Good luck!
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