francine Posted April 29, 2009 Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 Good morning! I have been waiting for my quilting room to be completed forever(2 years). It seems as if this might be happening. What i would like to know before i purchase a millie (alias fantasy machine) is this; what optional equipment isn't really optional? In other words, what do you really use? I know you guys will have opinions on this and i appreciate your guidance! Lord's peace francine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted April 29, 2009 Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 Stitch regulator...a must!! I use my channel locks a lot. I don't have it...but I think Quilt Glide would be well worth the money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nadia Wilson Posted April 29, 2009 Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 Like MaryBeth above mentiones...Quilt Glide does sound like an awesome option, and a Millie comes with a sitich regulator and channel locks...which I use all the time too. The power fabric advance is also very handy to have. I really like lots of thread! I use Superior and Aurifil threads in my machine! I also like to use a ruler for SID and my favorite is: Janet-Lee's favorite by the Gadget's Girls. Also a base expander of some sort is a must, especially for any ruler work. A magnetic nut bowl to keep all your pins in is handy. If you can get a small air compressor for blowing out lint in your bobbin area is handy...although canned air will work too. I also use the Clover Fine White marking pen, I like it 'cuz it dissappears with steam. That's all I can think of right now...I am sure others will add their 2 cents also. How exciting for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen G Posted April 29, 2009 Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 Hi Francine; Just keep looking at this forum long enough and you will soon have a longarm machine in your new quilting room!:P I am not really sure what you mean by "optional equipment". Do you mean extra toys that you buy or things that are on the machine? The millie comes with all the bells and whistles, once it is delivered and set up you are good to go!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darlene Epp Posted April 29, 2009 Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 Hi Francine, As a long time user I would say, Auto Fabric Advance (HUGE time saver!), & Hydraulic Lift (HUGE back saver!). QuiltGlide is a new option that I think is going to be on the "must have" list for those of us that do tiny background fills, or like to slow way down to do intricate work. Overhead wiring is something you can easily rig up yourself, IF you feel it's necessary. Of course the Millennium already comes equipped with Lower Thread Cutter, Electronic (not magnetic!) Horizonal AND Vertical Channel Locks, and what I personally believe is the best Stitch Regulator on the market. It also has the black & white LED lighting system. If you're even considering adding QuiltStudio, APQS' new computerized system, which will be released soon, I'd get the machine pre-wired for it. It's a small $500 down payment which is deducted from the price of QuiltStudio when you complete the order. QuiltStudio is being beta-tested right now by some gals that really know their stuff when it comes to computerized systems. The feedback is that the precision is absolutely amazing and the hardware is too. The anchor stitches are next to invisible, which makes ME happy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witha'K'quilting Posted April 29, 2009 Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 Stitch regulator - must have Fabric Advance - must have Channel Locks - I use them quilt a bit Base extender - must have for ruler work quilt glide - very nice for intricate work, I wish I had it now that I have tried it! Great lighting - absolute must have Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sams Mom Posted April 29, 2009 Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 I have an old frame and I don't have hydraulic lift. I sit to quilt and I don't think that my lowest available setting is low enough. Can anyone tell me the lowest height available on a newer frame with/without the hydraulic lift. Thanks for the information. Donna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sspingler Posted April 29, 2009 Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 All the above plus a couple good rulers.......straight and the even numbered circles and ovals lots of thread (I just bought a ton of poly from a lady that bought out a warehouse so if anyone is interested I can give you her email addy.......and it's really cheap...60 cents for colored and 1.60 black and white......4000 yard cones......so far I'm on my 8th cone and loving it) swag rulers from gadget girls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted April 29, 2009 Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 Originally posted by penelopefabric What i would like to know before i purchase a millie (alias fantasy machine) is this; what optional equipment isn't really optional? In other words, what do you really use? francine Okay...am I understanding you correctly...you are thinking of purchasing a Millie...but are undecided. You are asking what options on our machines we can not live without...right? You are not asking about rulers, thread, etc, ribht? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
francine Posted April 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 I am definitly getting a millie, but do not want to buy options such as base extenders etc. if it is unlikely i will use them. I have piles of gadgets already. You guys are the greatest. I have been reading the forum for 2 years now and feel as if i know you. You are so kind and supportive. This was the deciding factor in choosing a millie over the prodigy. I feel as if the apqs community is a wonderful group. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted April 29, 2009 Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 Originally posted by penelopefabric but do not want to buy options such as base extenders etc. if it is unlikely i will use them. Well that is one of the first things you will want to get...you will never be able to do rule work without it..... there are several on the market, but my favorite is the one you can get from Donita Reeves.... http://www.lovetoquilt.com Good luck with deciding which you will need and which you want...I've been doing this a long time and I think I have just about one of everything....well I still missing a few things. Still don't have a Circle Lord.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witha'K'quilting Posted April 29, 2009 Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 Bonnie is correct. The RulerMate by Donita Reeve is fantastic. My extended base has lived on my millie since the day I got it. An Absolute must if you are going to use rulers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizziesgirl Posted April 29, 2009 Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 I purchased the Millie and of course it comes with all the great options except the hydraulic lift and if I had to do it over I would have gotten that. I realize that I can still get it but it would have been nice that it would be already included in my payments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraJ Posted April 29, 2009 Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 It was Bonnie who convinced me to get Donita Reeves RulerMate and I've never been happier. Less hassle when doing ruler work. Fabric advance was why I went with APQS! Good luck on your machine purchasing journey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
francine Posted April 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 OK Donna Reeves ruler mate, definite. Hydraulic lift and power advance if afordable. I can't seem to locate price of PA and HL. I thought channel locks were already part of machine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witha'K'quilting Posted April 29, 2009 Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 Channel locks are on the millie. Many of us think it is a must...so that is why I added it. APQS can tell you the price of the power fabric advance and hydraulic lift. Just call them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nadia Wilson Posted April 29, 2009 Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 Hydraulic Lift: $1,500 US Power Fabric Advance: $1,350 US Quilt Glide: $1,250 US Channel Locks are part of the Millennium system Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenscratch Posted April 30, 2009 Report Share Posted April 30, 2009 Okay I don't have stitch regulator, fbric advance, hydraulic lift, or quilt glide. Things I do have and can't live without: extended base, 6" and 12" rulers, prewound bobbins in the basic colors, overhead wiring system, and extra lights over the machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jones3327 Posted April 30, 2009 Report Share Posted April 30, 2009 What is this Quilt Glide? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeanros Posted April 30, 2009 Report Share Posted April 30, 2009 I agrre with Nadia, I have all she has suggested and it all comes in handy, I also have a Mille. I hope this will help you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheri-Artzgirl Posted April 30, 2009 Report Share Posted April 30, 2009 I just purchase my new Millennium and my dealer was awesome in helping me decide just which options I really needed as I could not afford all of them right now. I did go with the 2009 Millennium which came with stitch regulator, channel lock and so much more. I added Fabric Advance and Base Extender (you need this if you think you might do any cross hatching or SID or use any type of rulers). If money was not an option, I would have added Quilt Guide. I so appreciate all the responses from the others and have made myself some notes on rulers and such to look for. Cheri Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leslie Anne Posted April 30, 2009 Report Share Posted April 30, 2009 I thought I had just about everything, but I don't know what the Quilt Glide is either. Can someone out there let us know. Thanks, Anne:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katydids Posted April 30, 2009 Report Share Posted April 30, 2009 Quilt glide description ~ http://www.katydids.net/comparequiltglide.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWBowser Posted April 30, 2009 Report Share Posted April 30, 2009 The hydraulic lift depends on how tall you are. I do not have it because I am only 4' 11" and with the machine on the floor I still can't reach all the way to the back. It is a great thing for anyone who is taller than me (like the majority of the world). Get a lot of thread. I have some nice and easy pantographs from WillowStudio.com and Goldenthreads.com. The Easy Cut Spring Action Scissors are very handy with their curved blades. It helps to cut thread but not your quilt. Enjoy your machine and practice, practice, practice. Charlotte Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leslie Anne Posted April 30, 2009 Report Share Posted April 30, 2009 Thanks Patty, I just upgraded my Millenium for the new model and no one mentioned the Quilt Glide to me. The only extra they offered me was to make it CQ ready. My '04 Millie had the switch added to the head. How new is the Quilt Glide? I think I ordered my new Millie in August or Sept. Anne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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