Sharon Deming

When I was looking for a longarm a few years ago, I wound up narrowing my list to APQS and Innova. So I talked to my super-guru of a sewing machine service guy. He services every sort of longarm, sewing machine, serger, embroidery machine -both domestic and commercial in a region that includes 4 state. He knows everything. I asked him "If you were going to buy a longarm machine for yourself or a family member, what brand would you choose?" Without hesitating he said there were only 2 brand on his list. #1 is APQS and #2 in Innova. I asked him why he put APQS ahead of Innova. He said that APQS is very easy to service - everything you need to access is right up front. "And besides", he said, "APQS never breaks down." Customer service is the best in the business. They will stay with you as long as you need to get an answer to even the dumbest question. Every dealer I have met has been happy, professional, knowledgeable, and accessible. When I checked in your area, there are 3 dealers near Atlanta. My own treasured dealer is Sheridan Carter in Hendersonville, NC.(828) 286-2390. She is hosting a Roadshow on July 21, starting at 1:00 pm. Check the APQS roadshow schedule to see when there is one in your area. A roadshow is a great way to play with all of the machines and get all of your questions answered. Here's the link: https://www.apqs.com/events/?tribe_eventcategory=296.

Merry Jo, my Moda connection has forwarded my request for information about the kit and pattern to her contacts at Moda. Will post again when I hear back from her.

I'm writing the email to the sales rep - is the kit a MODA kit or a kit put together by a quilt store?

I noticed that Kathy Schmitz has a "contact me" tab on her website, and the contact form is at the bottom of that page. She might have an idea about the kit pattern. Also, I will send an email to someone I know who has been a moda sales rep for years. Maybe she has some information.

Is the dragging specific to a particular place relative to the frame? Sometimes, when I am quilting near the leveler bar, I feel a drag. Always it is because there is not enough slack in the power cable right at the machine and the cable catches on the back of the carriage. I must not have the little tie strap tight enough to keep the cable firmly in place, because eventually I will have to increase the slack again.

I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis! I am praying for you! Thank you so much for your information! It is very helpful. I just found a short video about quilter's garage sales. I hoped it would have more information -- but it was helpful (done in 2015): https://www.nationalquilterscircle.com/video/quilters-garage-sale-007247/

Early in April, the DH and I drove to Colorado to pick up the quilting-related items that had belonged to my best friend. She passed away in January. Compared to most quilters, she didn't really have a lot. But, it is enough to organize a quilter's home-going sale, but I'm at a loss on how to organize it or how to price the items. She bought the best quilt store fabric she could find, so it's all high quality. Please share with me whatever suggestions and experience you've had regarding quilters estate sales, pricing for fabric, whether to cut fabric, how to organize / display things, ANYTHING. Thanks so much!

Millie will just float across the rails! Worth every penny. You will love it.

I pay about $10 per year for a domain name, and pass-through service to my free blog on blogspot. It has static pages as well as the blog page. Nothing fancy, but it works for me.

I have been buying Quilter's Cut through Amazon. When I first found them, the supplier only had the 45mm size, and I must have been one of her first few buyers. She now has all the usual sizes and some other cutting products. They are excellent blades. Quilter's Cut blades.

Hey there everyone. I have just published a new, super easy quilt pattern on Craftsy.com. It's called Murphy's Corner and is perfect for the new piecer or improving beginner. Check it out at: Murphy's Corner by Sharon Deming

I prefer a forum for this type of online "gathering". I have no idea how to search facebook for specific topics, regardless of date... Maybe there is one. Just seems this forum is a better venue for the technical stuff we love to talk about!

Beautiful quilt, Donna! Happy quilting!

Hi Donna. First, you are being too hard on yourself! The quilting is quite acceptable. If you have used a high quality thread - all will be well as the quilt is used and when it is washed. First, is the quilting in your picture on the top or the back of the quilt? There is an article on this website about railroading on the bobbin side: https://www.apqs.com/what-causes-railroad-tracks/ When there is railroading on top, I check the following: Is there an issue in the thread path - anything in the wrong place or getting caught on something? Or, try loosening the top tension. Or, if you are racing across your quilt, slow down. You can out run your needle and its ability to make good stitches. Or, try loosening the tension on the quilt. It should be loose enough that the machine throat plate area forms a little "mole-hill" as it moves across the quilt. Tension was my biggest learning curve when I got my first machine. Can't tell you how many times I called my dealer for advice! As you are learning, I suggest checking out your tension and speed on a practice sandwich before you load a quilt. Eventually, you will know what works for you. So, go easy on yourself. You are doing a great job! By the way, I really like the quilting design. Is it free motion or panto? What is the name of the panto?

Hi Sandy. Welcome to the APQS forum! If I am not mistaken, both of the machines you mention are primarily sewing machines and have limited quilting space. Only 9" for the TL 2000, and I couldn't find any info on the other one, just a picture. They appear to be decent machines for domestic machine quilting. If you plan to do any quilting for other people, please hold out for a "big girl" longarm (as Cindy Roth) calls them, with at least 18" to 20" of throat space, and a good stitch regulator. Wait for a top quality longarm, too. My sewing machine repair guy services all kinds of sewing machines, longarms, etc., as well as the big commercial machines of all sorts. He knows everything. When I was deciding on a brand, I asked him what brand he would select for himself if he were in the market. APQS is at the top of the list. He said "they are very easy to service, and, besides, they never break down." The other brand that is on his very short list (of 2) is Innova. Whatever brand you are checking out, look for reviews online from people who bought them - and not on the manufacturer's website. Oh, there is a longarms for sale group on facebook. Check them out, too. Buying a longarm is very personal , of course. And there is more to consider than just price, especially if you want to quilt for others at some point. You don't want to just "make do" with a machine that was handy to get and affordable, but constantly gives you trouble or is inadequate for what you want it to do. Look for high quality stitches, a stitch regulator, adequate throat depth, and reliability. Equally as important: the availability of good customer service. When you find a nice longarm you are interested in, talk to the manufacturer or a dealer to see if they would be willing to answer questions and help you with any issues that come up. APQS is happy to provide excellent customer service to any APQS owner. You may have a great sewing machine repair service that also handles a variety of longarm machines. Just be sure you will have support when you need it. So, keep digging into information and reviews - and be patient, don't settle. Determine the maximum you can afford and go for as much longarm as you can. You will know the right machine when you see it. Feel free to message me if you have other questions.