Mercedes

I actually used King Tut in the bobbin and top thread and loved the effect of the variated on both sides with the bulkier thread.  No breaks or problems at all.   Mercedes

We tend to be our own worst critics ( I  know I am).  This looks great!   Nice job.

Do test drive both machines before making your decision.  Some other things to think about is customer support.  You can be sure you will get top notch customer support from APQS whether you purchase your machine from them new or used from someone else.  Check with others in your area on the HandiQuilter - have they had many issues with the machine, was it easy to fix and did their manufacturer or dealership come through with the appropriate support?  You'd be surprised how important this is if you have questions or are a beginner longarmer like me.  Of course I would recommend APQS because of the quality and support I have received however do your homework before committing to a machine so you feel confident in your final choice.

I think I'm in the minority - I sew the binding on the front with either the long arm of the DSM then flip the binding to the back and use the clips to hold it in place.  I then do small hand stitches to sew the binding on the back.  I also sew the diagonal corners together by hand to make the corners set right.   Yep, it takes more time however I love the look because you see no stitching on the front or the back.  I even do this on the charity quilts I make.  

Wow, you've been busy!  Love the designs on your quilts.

Absolutely gorgeous!

Oh my gosh, this is so beautiful.  Love the unique quilt and the quilting designs!

Love the quilting designs - enhances the whole quilt - beautiful!

New price on my machine.  Upgrading to the new Millie.

Wow, quilting really makes some of the areas "pop".  Love it!

Love this pattern on the quilt and lovely quilting!

Shirley, I am so glad you have quilting to fill your time.  I know how difficult it is the first few years after loosing a spouse.  I don't have a Hartley fence however I know there are some on the list who can answer your question.  Take care.

Just beautiful!

Thank you Linda!  I think I'm going to try the Press-n-Seal technique and see how I like it.  The bunnies are about medium size so I think this option will work well.

Congratulations and it looks like you bonded quickly!  I have to ask, it looks like you have paper on the bed of your machine - are you using that to draw the designs and quilt through it?

See below for a thread from Dawn on loops on the back....
 
Check the thread path to be sure that the thread isn't escaping the tension disks occasionally. Put a small piece of batting (wadding) in the first thread guide directly above the cone.Your thread should be "trapped" between the thread guide and the batting. This trick helps to prevent the thread from jumping out of the tension disks unexpectedly and then snapping itself back in when the thread gets taut again. The second thing that causes loops is a scratch or burr on the hook assembly. That little burr grabs your top thread and carries it around the bobbin twice (and sometimes more), which makes a double-size loop on the back. Take a look at your hook assembly with a magnifying glass to see if you can find any scratch or burr. If you find one, smooth it out with very fine sandpaper or emery cloth.  The third thing that can cause random loops is the location of the hook finger. The top thread must sneak through the opening between the hook finger and the bobbin basket with every stitch. If that relationship is too close, then occasionally the top thread gets pinched for just a moment (or it breaks) and the extra long loop forms.  
Like This  

Do test drive both machines before making your decision.  Some other things to think about is customer support.  You can be sure you will get top notch customer support from APQS whether you purchase your machine from them new or used from someone else.  Check with others in your area on the HandiQuilter - have they had many issues with the machine, was it easy to fix and did their manufacturer or dealership come through with the appropriate support?  You'd be surprised how important this is if you have questions or are a beginner longarmer like me.  Of course I would recommend APQS because of the quality and support I have received however do your homework before committing to a machine so you feel confident in your final choice.

Wow, this is beautiful work.

Congratulations on your new Millie!

Just Georgeous!

Stunning!

Such a unique quilt!   Absolutely love it.

This looks great!  Nice job.

Just beautiful!

The Quilting Connection sells these.    http://www.longarmconnection.com