Originally Posted by Lacelady
Originally Posted by candi
I would highly recommend it if it is in your budget. The quilt studio I used required a class too, but it was very infomative and hands on, a lot of fun, she gave us zipper sets and instructions on how to prep the quilt, how to load and then tips for free hand quilting. I enjoyed the class a learned a lot ( did you know there is a right side and worng side for batting!!! Now I know). This particular quilt studio rents by the hour but if you rent for the full day you get a free lunch hour to take a break and what not, trust me, if you do all over free hand work, it hardly takes any time, and with the quilt on a zipper when you get to the place, it takes less than ten minutes to put it on and then off you go. I got to the studio at 0900 am, by the time I chatted, used the restroom, loaded my big queen bargello and quilted it, I looked at the clock and it was 1130!!! yes, I thought I died and time stopped, this is a 102'' square bargello quilted in 2.5 hours if that...I did use simple design, but it turned out neat if I may say so myself. Can you tell I am really excited with my find, lol?
Originally Posted by quiltykitty
Originally Posted by candi
Originally Posted by Fabric Galore
I would love to rent a long arm for the day. My nearest long arm dealer is in Winter Haven; about a 45 minute drive. I need to call her and see if she rents longarms.
Let me tell you, I drive more than an hour to get to the quilt studio to rent the longarm, it is well worth it for me. Friday was the first time I actually did this, but now I feel that unless it is a placemat size, I want to longarm it instead of doing it at home...it is so much more fun and I can do a better job, like i told my husnand, freehand longarming feels like driving a convertible,lol, you are so free!! It is awesome! Can you tell I enjoyed myself :mrgreen: :lol:
Thursday, I found out that the LQS that is 30 miles from me will rent their longarm. A class is required. I'm really thinking about it for the OBW I just pieced. I have one more UFO that is near the quilting stage and another that is not quite as far along.
Well it takes me longer than that on Sweetie (HQ Sweet Sixteen sit down) but then I couldn't stand for that length of time anyway (not fit enough), so pacing myself and sitting down is my tortoise way, to your hare. I still get there in the end. Yes, I would love to put Sweetie on a frame (she has that capability), but the only place I could do that is in my large garden shed, and that would need a serious clear out first. Once it was out there, I could only realistically use it for four or five months of the year unless I heated the place, big time.
Then, of course, I would also have to raid my savings to buy the frame in the first place, and I don't think I can justify it to myself. Perhaps what I need is a sugar daddy!
Lesley, I am discovering that the quilting habit does require a sugar daddy, lol. :mrgreen: personally( and as much as I loved quilting on the longarm) I wouldn't spend the money to buy one, they are just too expensive in my book, not to mention I don't really have the space for one without major redecorating, which I am not planning on doing any time soon. The renting is a great option for me, as I don't have very much time for quilting to start with, so getting things done faster is a great addition to my limited time. I thought what she charged for the day was a whole lot cheaper than sending even just one of them out, also more enjoyable for me, and I figured I can work an extra shift to cover the expenses and still come out ahead time wise. This is just my situation, I
understand the value would vary from person to person.