Congrats on your new baby! Enjoy an don't forget the pics.

I am so happy for you. Congrats on your new baby. Have fun.

Congratulations! I am jealous too!!!

Don't let the "strangeness" of working with a new machine frustrate you. I'm always a bit uncomfortable with learning how to use something when I first get it. I want to be able to do it all right away. Give yourself the gift of patience! Good luck to you...and congratulations.

:thumbup:

Remember, PPP (practice, practice, practice). I'm still learning and practicing. You can practice on ebay quilt tops, draw your squares on muslin and practice the blocks, and also buy cheater cloth and practice on those. I know you will have lots of fun. I believe my most important purchase was the Towa gauge in order to get correct tension on my bobbins. Since then, I do pretty well. I also keep a scrap sandwich piece to try any time I change threads. Anyway, many congratulations. I know you will enjoy.

Oh congratulations. It's like a love affair when you first get it--can't stay away. miss it when you're gone for one day, worry about it. I quilted 50 quilts for Project Linus in the first 2 months I had my longarm.

Regarding tension-- oh yes, they take a lot of fiddling and futzing. Try doing some practice with Isacord cotton thread in both top and bobbin. I find it a very beautiful thread that quilts easily.

Have fun. Breathe. Remember you are pretty new to this and just enjoy the learning. Practice. There are great books and DVDs. I don't know whether you have used a longarm at a shop or if you are really a novice, but if you're interested in learning tools, let me know and I'll send you a list.

Good luck to you. Wish I had the space.

Congrats & enjoy playing with your new toy!!