Patch Posted February 2, 2007 Report Share Posted February 2, 2007 Shana, I don't think you understood my earlier post. I was refering to the fact that I could only find two (2) major quilting machine shows in the US when I went Googling, and one was in Michigan and the other in Kansas, so Portland is a "point distant" in relation to them. I knew you were joking about the trailer to my driveway, silly! Yes, my kids keep me busy. I consider them my top priority, as does anyone with kids. Thanks for your encouragement. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuiltFaerie Posted February 2, 2007 Report Share Posted February 2, 2007 There is a major Quilting Machine Show in Michigan??? Please, please tell me!!!! I'm in Michigan and the only show I know of is the American Sewing Expo in Novi. That show is all about sewing though, not just quilting. Gail APQS Millenium Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jobuck Posted February 8, 2007 Report Share Posted February 8, 2007 Sew4Fub05: I was also in a quandry before I bought my Milie at Paducah '06. I almost bought a Gammill at out local Quilt Expo in Panama City, Fl in Feb. '06. The salesman was putting the pressure on about a "today only price" and wanted $5000 down then. I thought about it and then called him the next day.......I am still waiting for his return call. I figured no loss, I'd look at the machines in Paducah. As it turned out I was able to try both in the same time fame. I went from one booth to the other and back and forth until I had listened and tried both machines enough to make an informed decision. I also looked at all the machines in the show and the decision came down to the Gammill or the APQS Millie. I am very please with my decision and they only needed $500 down. My Millie "Nellie" and I are good buddies now and we work very well together. Good luck in you r search. Jo-Ellen as jobuck:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgstroud Posted February 8, 2007 Report Share Posted February 8, 2007 I envy you girls down in the heart of the long-arm country where you can go to shows, etc and try the different models and makes of machines. Like those living in Alaska....try living in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and making this same decision, which I went through a year and a half ago. What was my saving grace is that there happens to be an APQS dealer here in Edmonton who sold me on APQS.....I did go and try hers, but had nothing to compare it to, and didn't feel I needed to after I had tried hers.......I loved the way it ran and the stitches it made. My mille arrived almost a year ago.....I'm not into custom work, only hobby, and apart from some little tension issues with different types of thread, etc. I have never had any problems that I have had to call for service as yet. Just had to add my 2 cents worth. Cheryl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonmade Posted February 8, 2007 Report Share Posted February 8, 2007 I was in a Gammill dealer one day poking around. I overheard a Gammill owner who was buying oil for her machine. She was sorry they only had 1 gallon jug available, she really wanted 2 gallons! Shheeeezsh! I buy one of those little pint bottles every year or so. My Millie doesn't guzzle oil, it just wants little bitty sips! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtraquilts Posted February 9, 2007 Report Share Posted February 9, 2007 I was a Gammill owner for seven years (Gammill Optimum) and the dealer was seven miles up the road. I was lucky enough the first year(after threatening to sue) to get some maintenance help from them. After that I was pretty much on my own. It vibrates a LOT more-so for delicate work it was really difficult to use. I believe the table design is better in lots of ways than the Millenium I bought last May, but the Millie is a real pleasure to use and can do heirloom and around appliques much better than the Gammill. The support staff are wonderful and this forum is great! I don't ever sit to quilt, but the hydraulic llift lets me make small adjustments in height for different kinds of work. If all you want to do is to freestyle or pantograph quilt, buy the Gammill-it is truly a heavy duty workhorse. If you want to be in control of your machine and do more delicate work, or sit while quilting, then the Millie is best for you. The maintenance issue was the most important part of the decision-you get a lot better support from APQS-but you should know--you are the one who is going to have to fix the machine-don't count on anyone else coming to your rescue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyLee Posted February 10, 2007 Report Share Posted February 10, 2007 I was in the same boat you are, unsure which machine to get. I already owned an HQ frame with a Juki machine on it. I used that set up for 6 years and was looking into purchasing a longer throat machine, such as the HQ16 or the Nolting Fun Quilter. I couldn't justify the cost of a "real" longarm machine in my mind. Until I tried one that is. The midarm machines available are very nice and I'm not knocking them, but I already spent a lot of $ on a home quilting system that I outgrew very quickly. I didn't want to spend more only to outgrow another system, so I started testing and looking at longarm machines. I do believe they all have their good points, you need to try them out. My mechanical husband liked the way the Gammill was put together, but this machine was going to be used by me. The first test drive on the APQS and I was sold. That's what you need to do. Quilt on each of them, then make up your mind. Judylee Z Millie owner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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