Jroussel

Would anyone know of quilt shops or longarm quilters in the Montreal area (up to 1 hour drive away) that offer time on their machines for rent / beginner classes in longarming?

I am looking into getting either a domestic frame for my midarm machine or investing in a new (or gently used) longarm, but have been strongly suggested (repeatedly) to look into trying a longarm out before making any concrete decisions.

I would gladly do this, but in my immediate area, there is only one reseller (for Handi Quilter). Unfortunately, they burned me once on a machine purchase and I will not be going to see them for anything that requires me to give them more money.

I checked online for a list of longarmers in the Montreal area, but non of the publicly listed ones seem to offer rental time or classes.

So I am wondering if anyone here is in or around the Montreal area, and would know of a shop or longarmer that would be able to teach a novice the basics and be willing to rent some time for me to practice before making a very costly decision.

Thank you!

bkay

I don't know about Montreal, because I'm in Texas. Both of the places I know of that rent time are quilt shops. They require you take a class in their machine and then you can rent by the hour.

So, I'd try quilt shops.

bkay

QuiltE

Sorry, no direct answer to your query.

The best I can suggest is to contact quilt shops that are within your target area.
If they don't offer rental time ... ask if they have any suggestions.

If you can't find anything in your area, this LQS offers longarm rentals.
Yes a bit of a distance, but it's a convenient road-trip drive, up the 401 at Belleville.
For sure, it would be worth your time investment to gain some experience,
while getting your questions answered.
Besides, you could turn it into a mini-holiday, as it is in such a pretty setting against Lake Ontario.

http://www.funwithstitches.com/

profannie

Hi Jroussel, I'm in Montreal (well, Longueuil in fact) and have made an extensive research last October to find a place to rent some time on a longarm. Mine broke, I had 10 commissioned quilts in line to finish, I had to find a solution. I couldn't have the quilts done by anyone else than me (the design was a very specific hand draw by me). I was willing to drive up to 5 hours to find a rental somewhere in the USA or Canada!!! I end up going in Ottawa, to a small quilt shop call Quilt and coton. They rent me a small HQ because I had the same machine, so they didn't asked me to take a lesson, etc. It kept my head over the flood while waiting for my machine to get repaired.
So, you won't find such place in Montréal (believe me, I did such an extensive search that I would have found it if such a place existed). But if you want to try my HandiQuilter to see if you like it, you are welcome in my studio. I don't have any quilting friend, so I would enjoy a visit :-) PM me if you want.

Patricia Drew

Hi! I'm about 30 miles north of Montreal, and we are certainly not blessed with quilt shops in my area either! I can get quite a good range of quilting notions from a small Brother dealer nearby, but no fabrics. And no longarms for rent, that's pretty sure ...