I have owned an HQ16 for over 5 years and have never had any training.
Yesterday, I took a class from a local woman, Debbie
Berkabile that does longarm quilting for a business. I learned different techniques with her machine. I don't have the same machine as hers but it was so nice to be shown how to make new patterns. I loved all the inspiration I got from just one class. I am so ready to load muslin on my machine and practice.
I'm standing on the left, Debbie is in the middle, and my good friend, Carmalyne on the right. (also a machine quilter)
What a great day!!

What fun! May I ask what you thought of the differences between your HQ16 and the Millennium? My first machine was an HQ16 (actually I had two of them) before I purchased the Milly. They respond very differently, it was quite an adjustment for me!

It was very hard for me to adjust to a larger, heavier machine. I did have a difficult time with circles and curves. The Milly is a very nice machine.

I was just curious. It was difficult for me too. I took to my HQ16's like a duck on water. It took me 6 months to get comfortable with my Milly. Saying that, once I did I like it much better, but it wasn't nearly as easy to learn to use.

cjtinkle,
That is what I was thinking....it would take some time to get used to this larger machine. Debbie sure does nice work on it.

OH!!! Nanc, Can't wait to see all that you have learned!!!
Didn't realize that you hadn't had classes..... Your work always looks great!!!!
Longarmer's have two joy's 1-making the quilt
2-now, putting your own design on it too!!! WOW!!!

Oh thank you luv-e! That was the problem, I could never come up with cute patterns or how to do them. I did get lots of tips on longarming.

I have a Tin Lizzie 18 and would love to take class on it. I'm heading to Livermore CA the end of July. Does anyone know someone that is between Texas and California that gives classes?

Maybe make a new post so more people will see it. You may find a great class from there to California.