srichardson

If the fabric with the blue stripe is showing the bobbin thread tighten the top tension.  If the blue fabric is the top fabric tighten the bobbin tension. Play with the tension until the stitches sink into the centre of the batting and you have things balanced.  Good luck and happy quilting.  Welcome to the forum.

If the there is no chance of the colour bleeding try spritzing with water and using a soft toothbrush.
Good luck and welcome to the forum.

All of the brands that you mention are reputable.  The best thing you could do is to check to see if there are any large quilt shows scheduled in your area where you could go and try the different machines.  It is a little like buying a car, one make and model doesn't fit everyone.  APQS has road shows in various parts of the country and they are a good place to start.  I don't know if the other companies do anything similar.  It is a good idea to stick with a company that produces purpose built industrial machines and has been in the business for a long time.  There are lots of machines out there that are just little more than a stretched version of a DSM.  Buyer beware!
Check if you are able to do the maintenance yourself or if the machine has to be shipped back to the factory?  Is telephone support available?  Is there any training offered when you buy the machine?  Think carefully about the throat size.  There often seem to be quite a number of smaller machines for sale as owners decide that they would prefer a machine with a larger throat.
Have you checked out the APQS demo machines?  They come available occasionally and are a good deal.  I bought my Millie during a demo sale and have been very happy with it.
Good luck with your search and welcome to the forum.

Good luck to you Dawn.  Thank you for all you have done over the years and for sharing your wisdom.  We will miss you.

The size.  The M bobbin holds more thread than the L bobbin.

Another beauty!  I hope that is going into a show.  It is meant to be drooled over.

Amazing quilting.  Congratulations on being juried into the show.

What a beauty!

I agree, great colours and wonderful quilting too!

I have been using a titanium blade too.  It may just be wishful thinking but the blade does seem sharper than a regular blade.  I bought my first one, which is still going strong at a quilt show about eighteen months ago and the second one at my local Joann's with a coupon.  

I would check to see if the Handi Quilter allows you to make simple repairs and adjustments yourself, or if you have to ship it back to the factory.  On the APQS machines we can do many things ourselves.  Help is just a phone call away.  If it is necessary to ship the machine back to the factory it can become costly quickly.
Good luck with your soon to be business.

Mary Beth,
Are you referring to the spam do dad?  If you are did you add the numbers together?  I am so used to just typing what is shown that I didn't initially realize that I was supposed to add the numbers and not just type them!!  If I had read the instructions I would have done better.

Mary Beth,
Are you referring to the spam do dad?  If you are did you add the numbers together?  I am so used to just typing what is shown that I didn't initially realize that I was supposed to add the numbers and not just type them!!  If I had read the instructions I would have done better.

WOW, that is amazing!  I know that it is intended for a grandchild but I hope that you enter it in a show or two.

It looks like a great space.  I am with Kathy, I love your ironing board!

Cute!

Hi Barbara,
Odd you should ask that question. I found a set of these in my sewing room yesterday that I had forgotten all about. I didn't take any of Claudia's classes so I haven't seen what she was using. The clamps that I have are four inches long and are Quick Fix Quilt Clamps according to the label in the package and are to fit a three inch bar. Unfortunately there is no store name, website or contact information on the label. I am pretty certain that I purchased them from a vendor at MQX West last year. I thought that it might be The Calico Kitten but there is nothing shown on their website, so other that now having a name this probably isn't of much use to you! If I remember where I got them I will post the name.