Deb in the Mtns

Love the lion quilt and your son looks pretty happy with it as well.

Beautiful.
 

UGH!!!!  Editing this!  DO NOT BUY THESE STRIPS FROM WALMART!  The adhesive is letting go already!!!!  TOday is only 7/24/18 and they are peeling!!!  And of course I'm 2 rows from finishing a quilt!




Just wanted to add that I tried Jim's suggestion and it works GREAT!  
I used goo-gone to clean the residue from the brakes and my rails and after a bit of trimming, used the tub strips pictured - wavy was all my WalMart had in stock. (2 per side).  I have plenty left for any future needs.  

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!

I love that quilt! 

UGH!!!!  Editing this!  DO NOT BUY THESE STRIPS FROM WALMART!  The adhesive is letting go already!!!!  TOday is only 7/24/18 and they are peeling!!!  And of course I'm 2 rows from finishing a quilt!




Just wanted to add that I tried Jim's suggestion and it works GREAT!  
I used goo-gone to clean the residue from the brakes and my rails and after a bit of trimming, used the tub strips pictured - wavy was all my WalMart had in stock. (2 per side).  I have plenty left for any future needs.  

Really beautiful job on this quilt. Your FMQ is really good. 

Love the colors and quilting on this quilt.  It's sure to be a hit at college.  You may get some requests for other quilts.

Awesome quilt and quilting.  Great work.  I know your son will enjoy this one.  He seems pretty happy in the photo.
He can get hugs all the time by snuggling in this beautiful quilt.

Fantastic quilt. You did a wonderful job on the piecing and the quilting. Nice work!

Just beautiful!
 

Beautiful quilt!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

I received and assembled my new APQS Lucey w/Quilt Path and had ordered the optional batting bar.  It did not come with any instructions, so I made some up for anyone else who may run into this.
 

Over 50 pieces in the anchors ,micro stippling around anchors trying to make them pop,only thing I did not make are the three small pillows ,.....oh this was just also just a test run adding pics since I have been away from here in awhile .....................still no regrets on my purchase of my used milli,first longarm ever!!!

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.

It looks like there is only about a thousand dollars difference in price until you add some options.  Another way to look at it is what is the value of the machine you buy now going to be in five or ten years compared to the purchase price.  I suspect the APQS will cost you less over that time period.  Also there is quite often factory overhauled used APQS machines with new tables and warranty at a very good price.  Check the events calendar for a Road Show or Quilt Show because they always have special show pricing.  Having good tools always makes the job more pleasurable so buy the one you think is best for you.
APQS always encourages us to service our own machines and is very good with detailed instructions should you ever have to do a repair.
Just my 2 cents.
Nigel

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.

My latest blog post is now available. Check it out at Quiltniques Blog

Just off my quilt frame this week, "Surf Song" bargello.  From the book Twist and Turn Bargello Quilts by Eileen Wright.  Needed a king size quilt for my bed and instead of adding borders to make a king sized "Surf Song" I kept building the bargello to the edges.  I quilted it with IQ and the panto Ripples by Lorien Quilting.  I will make coordinating batik pillowcases and of course still need to bind the beast!!
Robin in MT