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quilterkp

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  1. Upvote
    quilterkp reacted to Deb in the Mtns in A Lion-size Dream   
    Posting here for those not part of the facebook group.
    Not a really great picture - but it's finally done and gifted to my son for his move-in at school next month.
    Applique center pattern "Majesty" by Gina Reddin Designs, borders are created with 'curved braid' by Victoria Findlay Wolfe. 
    Quilted on my Lenni with SoFine and Aurifil threads, Quilters Dream Wool Batting. All hand-guided - freehand faux McTavishing and some rulers. 
    I've been pantograph quilting for almost 5 years and only started FMQ this year.
    This project stretched me in a LOT of ways - especially as it was for my youngest child as he leaves (1,000+miles) for college!

  2. Like
    quilterkp reacted to lakekids in Features I wish APQS had   
    I have had my Millie a little over a year.  There are certain features that I wish it had:
    1. A basting stitch - instead of me having to manually control basting stitch length
    2. A tie off stitch
    3. Independently movable front handles : so that I could move one handle out of the way when doing ruler work
    4.  I wish the front backing bar was situated vertically below the top bar.  Since I am only 5' 4" this would help me be 4-6 inches closer so that it was easier to do ruler work in more of the stitching field. I have to have my machine on casters since my space is limited.  this adds to the height of the machine and the location of the backing bar puts me just that too far away.
     
    Any features you wish your APQS had?
  3. Like
    quilterkp reacted to nursecec in Innova or Millie?   
    I have been interested in all the comments.  Just to update since I wrote the first question.  I did decide to go with the Millie with Quilt Path.  I am really enjoying the machine and learning a lot as I go.  I have had a few minor issues, some user error and some routine maintenance (a screw jostling loose and needing tightning) but the customer service has been outstanding and the machine is easy to  maintain and "repair."  What I wish I had known more about during the decision making process:  I wasn't aware that the APQS could be outfitted with other robotic systems.  If I had realized this I would have looked at IQ at least.  QP is OK but one of the major concerns people express is the delay in the update.  And also the fact that the update apparently won't have a no sew zone.  Last year I would have said I wouldn't ever use it but I am finding that I would like to have that capability.  I saw it demonstrated on the IQ and it looked really easy to do.  I'm doing OK using the QP robotics but I am not fully using the CAD (computer assisted design) elements as I don't really understand how to even tho I have paid for a couple classes.  I find that I spend a lot of time (sometimes hours) trying to figure out how to create a simple design.  I realize there is a learning curve but after all those hours my design still isn't right and I end up purchasing one anyway.  For me this has become a time vs. money consideration.  It's easier for spend a few dollars and have the design available "right now".  Anyway if you are still trying to figure out what to purchase learn from me and know that there are a number of robotic systems that are compatible with the Millie.
  4. Upvote
    quilterkp reacted to T Row Studio in dream big Panel with an add on   
    I made this collage Butterfly and did not know where I was going to use as a back ground then remembered I had a dream big panel...and the rest is history .
    I would like to see your Dream Big panels you quilted. Please

     
     
     
  5. Like
    quilterkp reacted to Pennyquilts in My Dinner Plate Dahlia off the long arm   
    My personal Dinner Plate Dahlia is off the long arm.  I don’t have a computer on my long arm so this was all hand guided.  I am thrilled with the finished quilt   
     






  6. Like
    quilterkp got a reaction from gkazee in The new Millie   
    I had the pleasure of quilting on one of the new Millie's today at Sheridan Kay's quilting studio.   Very nice machine!   They made an improvement to the channel locks and they hold tighter than they used to.   
  7. Like
    quilterkp got a reaction from Marie0722 in Sea Breeze   
    That is gorgeous!
  8. Upvote
    quilterkp reacted to Alie in 2014 Lucey with 12 ft Blissed Table   
    Hi.  Can you please give a reason why on this ad you say that you're not particularly interested in longarm quilting and would prefer to do woodworking, as well, you are moving south (paraphrasing) while on an Innova 22 ad on this forum you say that you want to sell your Lucey so you can buy an Innova 22.  These comments contradict each other.  Are you unhappy with the performance of the Lucey?  Why do you want an Innova 22 when you say you don't really like longarm quilting?  
  9. Upvote
    quilterkp reacted to jimerickson in Long Arm reviews   
    Bing:  If you think you will quilt professionally, do yourself a favor, and only consider the following manufactures:  A-1 Elite, APQS, Gammill, Innova, Nolting, or Prodigy.  They are industrial quality, and all offer good product support.  As far as repairs go, you probably won't need any.  I don't know too much about the Innova or the Prodigy, but the others are pretty simple and straight forward so most of the service needed you can do yourself.  Jim 
  10. Upvote
    quilterkp reacted to Busy Quilting in Just for Fun...Improbable Quilting Business Names   
    Home Groan Quilting
    Cotton Pickin Patches
    Pinned to Perfection
    Or Empty Spools but it is already taken!
    Lyn
  11. Upvote
    quilterkp reacted to loraquilts in Just for Fun...Improbable Quilting Business Names   
    You could always try "Constitutional Quilting Company" with the tag line "We believe in the right to bear longarms!"
  12. Upvote
    quilterkp reacted to Liam in Just for Fun...Improbable Quilting Business Names   
    How about Scorch N' Tear Quilting? That should drum up some business!
  13. Upvote
    quilterkp reacted to Sandra Darlington in Just for Fun...Improbable Quilting Business Names   
    What about "Rech-It Quilting Service?" A play on Linda Rech's name.
    Linda....I hope you are laughing at this. Your quilting is stunning, so it is not meant as a description of what you really do. (((Hugs.)))
  14. Upvote
    quilterkp reacted to quiltmonkey in Just for Fun...Improbable Quilting Business Names   
    I Drink and Drive My Longarm Machine Quilting Serivces
  15. Upvote
    quilterkp reacted to ffq-lar in Just for Fun...Improbable Quilting Business Names   
    Do You Feel Lucky, Punk, Creative Quilting
    My Way Or The Highway Machine Quilting
    Passive-Aggressive Longarm Quilting (right down the road from Shana's Manic Depressive MQS!)
    Big Old Huge Stitches in a Funny Color Thread Quilting Company
    Stashbusters Unite Machine Quilting
    If Life Gives You Melons You Might Be Dyslexic Stitching
    (this is fun!--my fave is Shana's "You Want Me To Quilt Your Ugly Quilt? Ha! Machine QS!)
  16. Upvote
    quilterkp reacted to quiltmonkey in Just for Fun...Improbable Quilting Business Names   
    Improbable Quilting Business Names:
    Texas Chainsaw Massacre Machine Quilting Services
    Manic Depressive Machine Quilting Services
    I Hate Quilters In General Machine Quilting Services
    Terrible Tension Machine Quilting Services
    You want me to quilt your ugly quilt? Ha! Machine Quilting Services
    Just Released from Prison Machine Quilting Services
    I've Got a Gun, And a Longarm, and I'm not Afraid to use Both, Machine Quilting Services
  17. Upvote
    quilterkp reacted to mamu in Finding clients   
    What I did when I first started out was I made up coupons for a Free quilting, edge to edge I choose the design, lap size or smaller, to be used within 3 months and handed them out to our sew group ladies.  I also made sure my prices were very competitive ...in fact I was less than the norm when first starting out and then after my clientele was established I gradually increased my price.  I do have another perk for loyal clients... 8 paid bed size quilts, gets a Free quilting for a lap size or smaller.
    Doing this I was able to pay off my longarm within 10 months!
     
  18. Upvote
    quilterkp reacted to Gator in Loyal customers. ???   
    Lora, great topic which needs to be brought up every now and then.  I like hearing what's happening in other parts of the country and world.  I have Millie with an IQ.  I did not raise  my prices when I got my computer.  I didn't need to because I could do more quilts which evened the field.  I charge a penny and a half for loose pantos/e2e and 2 pennies for tight pantos/e2e.  I have a Quilt finishing shop a block away from me (I'm also in a small town) who charges about the same.  The owner and I have a great relationship because she just does pantos/e2e.  She also sells batting, wide backs and flannel.  She does no custom, so she sends those customers to me or another longarmer.  There's work for everyone.  You really have to flow with the local pricing or you will loose those "bread and butter" customers.  When I moved to Michigan, I asked around about longarm pricing before I decided on what to charge.  I ask my customers  to pick out the panto they want from the hundreds I have  but  if a customer wants a particular panto design that I don't have (i.e. hippos, fire hose, particular flowers),  I charge them a one time special design charge of $15.00,  plus my normal square inch charge.  It will help you build your design catalog fast  without coming directly from your pocket.  I do the same with my embroidery business. 
    Great info, advise and thoughts everyone.
  19. Upvote
    quilterkp reacted to mamu in Loyal customers. ???   
    I agree with Linda.  You upgraded to a computerized system but your customers are not interested in that, they just want a nice design on their quilts that do not cost them so much.  I have found that if a person is wanting a panto or all over design, they want this because they do not want to add more cost to their quilt.  The only time I have had customers ask for custom or more detailed all over designs is that they are either gifting as a special gift or wanting to place the quilt in a show.  Quilters are looking for the best deal they can get and the best quilting they can get.  You have lost some of your clients because of your increase in price.  You were wanting to off set the upgrade cost and hoping to get your clients to pay for this upgrade, hoping they would appreciate that computerized will make the designs more perfect for them.   I do not have a computerized system and  exclusively do panto's for my customers.  I use to offer both custom and pantos, but found that my bread and butter was in the pantos, so I only do custom for myself now.  There are other longarmers (some computerized) in my small rural area that do custom and some of my customers go to them for custom when that is what they want.   However, they always come to me for their pantos because I offer lower price and a fast turn around time.  These things are very important to them.   I have often thought of upgrading to a computerized system, but only to shorten my time at the machine and produce a better stitch line in designs.  It would help me do more quilts in less time I think, thus the volume of quilts done would actually help pay for this upgrade. 
    As Linda said... offer some incentives to get your clients to come back.  With more people getting their own quilting machines, we need to keep our businesses going with incentive marketing.  Know what your quilters want, know what is being offered out there from other longarmers and adjust your  pricing accordingly.
  20. Upvote
    quilterkp reacted to ffq-lar in Loyal customers. ???   
    No one has replied, so I will gingerly step in and give you my take on the problem. Adding a computer to your machine does not mean that you should raise your prices above the industry standard, especially for overall designs. The customer doesn't care how you get there or what you use---they are interested in the finished product and don't want to pay extra for computerized when someone else can do the same thing for less. I'm talking about pantos/overalls, not custom. Also, you have "niched" yourself. You have inadvertently sent a message to your customers that you are out of the panto/overall business by showing lots of custom quilting. Custom=$$$$ to everyone. Make some simple quilt tops and quilt them with overalls or a panto and show them everywhere. Remind them that you're still around and offering the less-expensive quilting. I think your customers perception of what you offer and your pricing has been muddled---that you are now too expensive. To get them back in the fold, use your favorite method to contact them and offer a blow-them-away deal on pantos and overalls "exclusively for you, my favorite customer". Any size quilt up to a Queen (you supply the limit for dimensions) with a choice of three pantos/computerized or freehand overall (not a big meander) for $100. This will price you at less than a cent-and-a-half, but will give your business a boost. They will dig out all the big UFOs and maybe get one done as a Christmas gift. Limit the number (like first 20 quilts) and limit the month---like November only or first two weeks in January. See if that will nudge them back to you. Good luck---it's disheartening when the customers you think are friends stop becoming customers.
  21. Upvote
    quilterkp reacted to Sharon Deming in Latest blog post is up - just some food for thought   
    My latest blog post is now available. Check it out at Quiltniques Blog

  22. Upvote
    quilterkp reacted to Susan Bergling in Win A Millie September '17 version   
    All this math talk has made me chuckle. I am horrible at math, always have been. I flunked high school algebra. My sister on the other hand has excelled, she's been a high school math teacher for 35 years. She has never understood my struggle. As an adult I have realized that I am dyslexic...especially with numbers. At first glance, my mind actually sees a series of numbers out of order. I have learned that I ALWAYS have to double & many times triple check my work. Measure twice (or 3-4 times), cut once! The struggle is real.
  23. Upvote
    quilterkp reacted to Mary Beth in Win A Millie September '17 version   
    I have actually learned to count forward and backward on my fingers, when I go through that process then I go for the toes. 
  24. Upvote
    quilterkp reacted to Cagey in Win A Millie September '17 version   
    Being a southerner I was taught you can use your toes when you run out of fingers.  Though it does get hard with number larger than 20, or if you lost a finger or toe like Uncle Mick.
    Cagey
  25. Upvote
    quilterkp reacted to Mary Beth in Win A Millie September '17 version   
    Bless your heart....thank you so much, lol. After 10 it gets difficult, lol. 
     
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