JudyLee Posted January 22, 2007 Report Share Posted January 22, 2007 Yeehaw! I just ordered my Millenium today. It will be here in two weeks. I don't know if I can stand it. I have the chance to order MicroDrive handles. Are they a good idea? I'm a newbie to longarms, having graduated from a home quilting frame with 9 inches of space. Any opinions out there? Thanks a bunch, Judy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenslug Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 Have microdrive handles. Never used them. Perhaps they are wonderful, don't know; but there are other items I would spend money on first. Such as rulers. First payment on Circle Lord. But maybe someone who uses it a lot should reply to this. Happy quilting!!! It is so much fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 Have microdrive handles, don't know what I did without them. I use them when I stitch in the ditch, when I do a stipple, when I use rulers to go around applique - anytime I am doing something small or intricate. I know some people don't like them, but I am here to tell you, once you get use to them you will love 'em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnuGram Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 I'm with Mary Beth. I got them with my machine and didn't try them out for the longest time because they scared the beejesus out of me. When I finally did get around to working with them, I found them invaluable for doing some kinds of work, like going around applique and doing small meandering or pebbles, or trapunto work. Personally I would get them before the Circle Lord or EZ purchases, but you gotta decide where best to spend your money. Sara Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa Thiesssen Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 I find that I use mine more without stitch regulation. I find that the strength needed to move the machine for stitch regulated work is counter to the delicate movements I want to use my micro-drive handles for in the first place! That being said, I'm still better at all the fussy stuff when I just use the regular handles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sylkamode Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 Hi Judy, I did not order the MicroDrive handles, and I am quilting like crazy without them. I don't know if the quilting is better with them, just having fun with my Millennium this way too. Sylvia Kaptein Sylka-Mode www.sylkamode.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birgitquilts Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 I have them but don't like to use them. So, they remain tucked away in their box. I guess, it's a personal thing. As long as you don't try them out you won'T know if they will work for you. Best, Birgit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrammaJoy Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 I used them for a while and thought they were useful, but if I did NOT want to use them, they were always in my way. They are hard to put on and take off, I think. Hugs, Joy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kay M. Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 Hi, I have the handles but do not use them all that often. I find it is harder to move the machine unless I'm really close to the area. They do get in the way at times, especially with those short backings as they tend to hit the clamps. When I use them, they are worthwhile but I would not put them at the top of my list. Kay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrna Ficken Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 Judy, If you just ordered a new machine and got the monthly special you will get the micro drive handles in the Hartley Fence Package. myrna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annlittle1 Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 Love them micro-drive handles. I couldn't do without them or my zippers! Phyllis Hughes Oklahoma City Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LynnQuilts Posted January 25, 2007 Report Share Posted January 25, 2007 I couldn't do without my microdrive handles. I use it for all my outlining, all my close detail work. I tried doing the same thing without the microdrive handles and, although I could certainly do it, it wasn't as good or as comfortable. I guess it's what you get used to, but I really like mine. As far as it being hard to take them off and put them on, I found the same thing until I read an incredibly simple tip from Sherry Rogers-Harrison. She said that when you want to remove the handles, just unscrew the handles from the base, rather than removing the whole thing. MUCH easier!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted January 25, 2007 Report Share Posted January 25, 2007 Originally posted by LynnQuilts I found the same thing until I read an incredibly simple tip from Sherry Rogers-Harrison. She said that when you want to remove the handles, just unscrew the handles from the base, rather than removing the whole thing. MUCH easier!! I don't have my longarm machine (yet) but when I put my order in with Linda A, I wanted to include the microdrive handles. From what I understand, you can flip these micro handles up and out of the way if you're not using them...isn't that correct? Shana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LynnQuilts Posted January 25, 2007 Report Share Posted January 25, 2007 Yes, Shana, you can, but they are still a bit in the way, IMO. If I know I'm not using them for a good while, I just take them off. But if I just want them out of the way for a while, I do just flip them up out of the way. If I could have only one goody for my LA, I think these handles would be it! My only complaint about them is that they are just a shade too long and I cannot use them when I have the extended base on my machine, or vice versa. But that's just a minor annoyance and I work around it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramona-quilter Posted January 25, 2007 Report Share Posted January 25, 2007 Hey LynnQuilts - did you say that you cannot use your microdrive with the extended base on? Is that true for everybody? I bought the Micro-drive but did not install them until recently. I also installed the Ruler-Mate at the same time. It feels like a tight squeeze to me. I do have long hands and find that the top of my hand/wrist keeps bumping/scraping the light unit above the needle. Does anybody else have that problem or a suggestion that I can try? I'm wondering if I need to remove the Ruler-Mate when I use the MD. Ideas?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted January 26, 2007 Report Share Posted January 26, 2007 I just used mine today with the extend-a-base....maybe the handles are too low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LynnQuilts Posted January 26, 2007 Report Share Posted January 26, 2007 That's interesting that others can have their RulerMate on at the same time their MicroDrive handles are on. I have the handles attached as high up on the needle bar thing as they can go and they are still too long to allow the RulerMate to be in place. That's very strange. I always wondered if other people could have them both on at the same time, now I know. It's just me that can't! Oh, well..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted January 26, 2007 Report Share Posted January 26, 2007 I have the Hartly Base Extender or whatever it is called. That may not work the same as the RulerMate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyLee Posted January 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2007 Hey, thanks LynnQuilts. I will have the person setting up my machine show me how to take the microdrive off this way. 5 more days until my machine gets here, but who's counting? MEMEMEMEME! Judy Z:D:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheilao323 Posted January 29, 2007 Report Share Posted January 29, 2007 Definitely love my MicroDrive handles, they're the best! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrna Ficken Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 I use the Micro drive handles with my base expander. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darlene Epp Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Originally posted by LynnQuilts That's interesting that others can have their RulerMate on at the same time their MicroDrive handles are on. I have the handles attached as high up on the needle bar thing as they can go and they are still too long to allow the RulerMate to be in place. Hi Lynn, If your MicroDrive handles are too long, I wonder if you got the handles for the Millie by mistake. There are 2 sizes: one for the Liberty and Discovery and another for the Millennium and Freedom. The Liberty and Discovery machines not only have a shorter throat space, the height of the space is less too. As for using them with the base: You should use them with the Harley Extended Base that is larger on the right side so you can rest the sides of BOTH hands on the base under the quilt. The Ruler Mate is not wide enough to do this. When I outline applique, I have the handles barely above the surface of the quilt, have the side of my hands resting on the quilt and guide the machine with my thumbs and forefingers. I have absolute control that way. Do you NEED the MicroDrive handles? Of course not, BUT like most other tools and gadgets we buy, they were developed by another machine quilter (Marilyn Badger) who felt a need and found a way to develop something that met that need. Like anything else, they just take practice. I use different hand positions, depending on what type of work I'm doing, AND I almost always sit at my drafting stool when I use them. I rest my forearms on the top roller, relax and just go for it. These handles are meant for intense, finely detailed work, so if you only plan to do pantographs, or larger freehand work, you won't use them. But if you want to do beautiful outlining around applique, or trace small outlines on fabric, they're invaluable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Darlene, Good to hear from you...I have missed you!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qfairy Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 If there the ones that clamp onto the orignal handles and there is someone that would like to sell them I would be interested in purchasing them. Just give me an email with a picture to make sure they are the ones that I have been looking for along with a price. Send to quilts@centurytel.net. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LynnQuilts Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Thanks for the info, Darlene! They obviously sent me the set for the wrong machine back when I bought them. I always wondered why they were so long; they pressed down into the quilt as I quilted, but I figured that's just the way they were. It never occurred to me that there was a difference in height between the Liberty & Milli, or that there were different length handles. I guess I'll have to invest in another set. Thanks for clearing up the mystery! They are definitely a MUST HAVE for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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