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ffq-lar

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Everything posted by ffq-lar

  1. Quilt them! Since they are family heirlooms, if quilted they'll be used and displayed. As unquilted tops they'll be stored and be passed down and maybe not appreciated. Much more "valuable" quilted and on display. I've quilted vintage tops on the longarm that dated to the 1920's without any problems besides an occasional seam repair. I even quilted a top that had some hand-quilting started and we decided to leave the hand-stitching alone since it was part of the legacy of the quilt. Since vintage quilts are dated from the "youngest" element (whether it's the newest piece of fabric in a finished quilt or the date the actual quilting stitches were finished) that dating affects the value if the quilts are sold. A quilt finished in its era is more valuable (retail) than one machine quilted today but pieced in the 30's. But your quilts are "family" and won't be sold--so finish them, wrap them around you and enjoy the hugs from your ancestors!
  2. Absolutely gorgeous! Congratulations on your award!
  3. Thanks to everyone's great input, which I passed along to my friend, she has decided to wait until they can afford a "real" longarm. Thanks so much!
  4. She said it was 7 years old--but she was so scattered she couldn't remember the name. Her employee had to tell us it was a Millennium and she was "pretty sure" it had a 14' frame. It sounded to me like she didn't use it very much.
  5. Thanks for the great advice. I'll pass it along to her. She's an avid piecer and DSM quilter who works at my favorite LQS. She is ready to take the next step, but I don't think she'll be happy with this set-up. A local sewing machine dealer has her Millie for sale with a 14" table for $8500. I steered her in that direction because the Millie is off the table and sitting in her shop window--no way to test it so I think if it sits there for a couple of months she'll take a lot less just to move it. Anyone interested in this Millie, shoot me an email and I'll direct you to the shop (Olympia, WA).
  6. Viking Mega Quilter with the Inspira frame--is this a good hobby machine? I friend has found one--used less than 2 hours--for $1250 and wants my input as to ease of use and if that's a good price. Anyone have one or start out with one? Home use only (she says) and no business planned. TIA
  7. Cute quilt-great quilting--love it! The echo around the bunnies is wonderful. Question--when do you sleep?
  8. Saturday the 23rd. Hoping the weather cooperates!
  9. Hey Dory--come to my house for Moxies in February and I'll show you how to stitch the binding on with the longarm!
  10. Open the left side and check the flywheel for thread wrapped around it as well.
  11. Fabric glued to the screen might work but the added layer of fabric building up on the roller part as it rolls might make it too big to fit into the storage compartment where the pulled-up screen normally hides. Did that make sense? You can make a roll-up design wall by purchasing a cheap outdoor roll-up blind at the home improvement store and lining it with flannel. Attach to the ceiling or high on the wall. The cords will need to run down the front but your fabric will still hold nicely. If I was making one I would use cotton batting. Pull the cord to roll up and if you pin on your blocks you can roll them up in the blind if you want.
  12. Hi Sabrina. I have a thought that you should contact every quilt guild within driving distance of you. This is a fabulous price and would be a great addition to a guild's arsenal for finishing charity and QOV tops. All they need is the cash, of course, and a member with the room to set it up and allow members access. A local guild did this with great success. The member who had it at her home allowed access two days a week, learned the machine and guided members who needed help. Members booked time or tag-teamed to finish charity quilts. On the off days she used it all she wanted for her own stuff and for charity quilts, as payment for the use of her home. It worked well until she decided to get a big longarm and needed the space. The guild then sold the machine for full price to another guild member who learned the ropes doing charity quilts. Win, win, win. Good luck and it should sell at that price!
  13. Hi Sheila, Check both front and back handles to see if the lock works. If the solenoid isn't making a click when the button is pressed, something is not connected. There is a cable at the back of the machine that has a square connector--the cable connects the lock on the carriage (the horizontal lock) to the body of the machine. Make sure the connection into the machine is secure. If the solenoid is seating correctly, be advised that the channel locks on the round rails of the Bliss are very loose. There isn't a way to adjust the locks to be more secure, as far as I have been told, so engaging the horizontal lock to stitch vertical lines requires a very light touch to not over-ride the lock. But it can be done.
  14. So sorry about your toe, Linda. That is so painful! Just another lesson why housework is so dangerous and to be avoided if at all possible!
  15. Sandra!! I love it!:P:P My son says I should add "Let me Rech your quilt" to my business cards. But then again, we always tell him we wanted to name him Otto!
  16. 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!)
  17. The worst mental picture for me--a local quilter has "Barbed Wire Stitches". Yep--her name is Barb and they live on a "ranch". I just visualize her using a big iron needle to pull barbed wire through a quilt...... or maybe getting her arm stitched up by a doctor after she gets cut by barbed wire. All-around not so good.
  18. I went for "Finely Finished Quilts" but chuckle when I hear "Finally Finished Quilts" in my head!
  19. Hi! If you haven't quilted on multi-layers of fusibles before, remember to use matching or blending thin thread. I bet you can think up some great quilting to accentuate all the figures and scenery. Stitch following the edges, but also put veins in the leaves, curly wool on the sheep, etc. (Is this the one with the "stacked" livestock? My friend just did that as a wallhanging.) I love McKenna Ryan stuff! Also remember that the fusibles are unforgiving so stitch carefully. The holes will be permanent if you need to unstitch. Most importantly, have fun!
  20. Another thought--every brand holds it's value terrifically. If you make a mistake, sell it and get a different one.:cool: Several here on this forum have changed brands and are happy with their choice.
  21. See this nice friendly helpful warm nurturing funny encouraging forum sponsored by APQS? Open to all and helpful to all, no matter what you own or hope to own. Gammill doesn't have anything like it. They do have a site which will allow you to register IF you already own a Gammill. I bet there is a load of helpful info there--but I will never know!! I love my APQS and you will not get a hard-sell here--just replies from lots of happy owners. Almost all will encourage you to make your own decision based on your needs and opinions after trying as many as you can find. Even if you pick another brand, you are welcome here!
  22. That is a good question best left for lawyers. I think commonplace shapes are OK, but tracing an existing ruler to have one made won't fly, legally. You can draw or digitize your own shapes and have them carved. If you need something and can't find one to purchase, having something similar made is the best bet. Is there a way to contact Rob? Perhaps he can give permission for you to copy one of his designs for a small fee. Assure him it would be for personal use and not to manufacture for sale. A patent is a different thing altogether. If an inventor has gone through that long and expensive process, even eyeballing and making a similar design is cause for trouble.
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