Monday, June 21, 2010

I Want A Longarm!

Saturday at my LQS, 2 people brought a Quilt for Kids quilt they had completed for Show and Tell. BOTH had ordered their kits after I brought my pieced top to show. I felt determined to quilt mine and finish it off this week. And I did!
If you'd like to do some charity quilting order a kit from Quilts for Kids. The kit comes with all the fabric including backing. You supply the batting, the thread, and the labor. They even send a label. Hey, do you sew on your label before or after washing? This label is commercially made.
Lessons Learned:
I learned that my sewing table is too high. This can easily be fixed.

It would be easier if my sewing machine was inset at the height of the table top. Unfortunately, the table I have has metal supports in the area that would need to be cut.

My shoulders hurt after a few hours of straight line quilting with my walking foot.
Badly.

I no longer want to quilt twin or queens sized quilts on my Bernina 440QE.

I think I want a long arm!
Or a frame for my Pfaff Grand Quilter.

24 comments:

janet said...

Really cute quilt, I love the bright colors!

Anonymous said...

Your quilt is absolutely beautiful!

Some child is going to be very happy with their new "lovey".

Pat said...

I don't have room for a long-armer...and then, even if I did, I'd feel compelled to try to start a business with it in order to recover the money the machine cost and I don't have time for that (and would be afraid I'd ruin someone'e quilt top).......so I guess, overall, it's just easier to continue to send my quilts out to others to long-arm for me. LOL

Tammy said...

i would love a long arm, but i have no place to put one, so i let the experts do the work on twin size on up. your kid quilt is adorable - great job!!

Margaret said...

I'll take your Bernina. lol! Nice quilt! Aren't long arm quilters expensive? Who knew about table heights! Now you know, of course! :D

Zlaty said...

Hi Jackie,


I already made one quilt for kids and I agree the kits are very pretty and easy to work with. You did a great job on your quilt.
I do have frame to quilt my biger quilts, but quilting on the frame is little diferent then on your domestic machine but I am sure you can do it. The loading of the quilt on the frame does take some time and you also need biger backing.

Amy said...

{{cackle}}
JUMP ON THE BAND WAGON!!!!!! Angela (soscrappy) and I both just purchased a LA (midarm for me) set up just a couple of months ago because we also were tired of muscling quilts under the DSM.

I have a 440 as well, and LOVE my BSR (my midarm doesn't have a stitch-regulator---YET!) My "entry-level" set up has its Pros & Cons, but I SURE am enjoying this new status of my quilting skills...

Unknown said...

i love it, your quilting lines are so defined.....did you use clear thread or what? looks great

Kim D. said...

Great job on the quilt and I want a longarm too. My shoulders hurt after I've been free motion quilting on my domestic machine also. I think I need to relax more if that's possible.

QuiltSue said...

I love the colours of your quilt. I can sympathise about the shoulders, that's why I bought my first frame.

Annie said...

You did a beautiful job on that. I think for all your hard work you deserve a table of the right height and a long arm! For me, I'd be happy with a walking foot that fit my old sewing machine!

Bunny said...

Oh I know what you mean I bought a BLine frame for my Janome 1600P but now I want a bigger machine with a longer harp. Never satisfied LOL. Love your adorable quilt.

Faye said...

I dont know how much long arms are Jackie, but I say you are worth it!! Everything you quilt is beautiful and especially this one knowing it is going to help a child!! I say you need to convience your hubbie that bday,mothersday,every holiday in the year rolled into one, is worth getting that longarm for you!! Tell him I said!!! hahaha, Faye

FlourishingPalms said...

Do you REALLY want a longarm? Price aside (that's a topic for another discussion!) I thought I wanted one too, until I tried it. Longarming is definitely NOT for me. I don't like the big motions, and lack of detail control. I much prefer the closer, precision control I have when I domestic-machine quilt. But you DO need to have the proper set-up. Gosh, if you have a Pfaff Grand Quilter, then I think YOU have it made! I'm envious! Ideally, I'd like to have the quality sewing capabilities that Bernina offers, but have a larger throat, straight-stitch machine for sit-down quilting. Sounds like you have the hardware; you just need the set-up. Go for it!

I stitch a label on the finished quilt. I never wash a finished quilt. Why do you?

woolwoman said...

Great job Jackie on the charity quilt! Isn't there always something we are needing or wanting LOL - keep rubbing that lamp and maybe your genie will come out. Mel

Kajsa said...

How pretty! And what a great cause, it will be much loved!

Mylene said...

Such lovely colour of the quilt. Great job!

imquilternity said...

Very cute quilt and good job quilting!!

Lois said...

What a gorgeous quilt, Jackie! I love the bright, vibrant colours.

Susan said...

I remember making that same decision! It was just too hard to quilt large quilts on my table top machine. I love my Grace frame and Juki machine! It has it's limits, but it's a lot better than quilting on a table top machine!

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

The quilt turned out cute! I would love a long arm but 1) not in my budget, and 2) even if we could afford one, I have no space to put it. I'm already sewing in the living room as it is.

Thelma said...

That quilt could not be any cuter...I hear ya on quilting on the Bernina...I too dream of a longarm.

Barb said...

Oh I would love one too....

great quilts for charity....

Candace said...

I love the colors in the quilt, Jackie - some little one will be very happy with it! One of our local quilt shops does this too, except you only have to piece the top - they take care of the rest! I've definitely decided to get a longarm - a Hinterberg Voyager 17 and their stretch frame! I think you need one too...tell Greg it's OK by me ;>)
Cheers!