Overwhelmed
 

Hi everyone I am new to this board. I have been quilting for about 12 years. I started hand quilting on a grace frame I enjoyed it at first them it became boring, it is still in the frame behind my couch today. Then t went to marking quilts and hand quilting on a hoop. I enjoyed that more because it was more flexible. It took me 3 years but I did eventually finish it.
Today I have made several quilts and even dabbled in embroidery on my old Viking that I have had all this time and just learned how to use.(I know I am slow to learn new things) but really enjoy making the tops. But have spent several hours marking large quilts with plastic templates and struggling to shove them through my Juki 2010 that purchased last year.
Today I am in search of converting my hand frame to a track and carrage long arm system. I don’t know if that is at all possible trying to quilt on a budget. I have bought the plans for Richards quilt frame plans but was trying to use my hand frame some way except holding my couch up.
thanks everyone for listening to me babble. I am excited to learn new things here

Welcome from western NY and happy quilting :)
We all find our niche in our own time. Best wishes in finding what satisfies you the most.

Have you ever thought about "Quilting As You Go"? It's block by block (or row by row) quilting, meant to make quilting a whole quilt on a DSM easier. There are several tutorials posted in the tutorial section of the board, and many more available online.

Welcome aboard, this is a fun place to be and we love pictures if you want to share.

While I do finish many of my quilts and for decades finished every project I started, I now consider a top as a completed project, just not a quilt yet :p

I'm growing more and more comfortable with the idea that my favorite parts of quilting are planing, playing with fabric, and piecing -- quilting itself is not exactly a necessary evil, but I may get all I want out of a project by piecing it. Pretty sure when I finally leave this world I will leave unfinished tops behind and I'm ok with that, they are just for fun and donation and I don't really mind what group they are donated to. I like to have projects to keep busy and I enjoy playing with my fabric, that's good enough for me.

Welcome to the QB from SE Michigan! I don't know if you can convert your Grace hand frame. I have the Original Grace Frame for machine quilting. It has served me well until just recently. I am afraid it has seen better days. I have most likely worked it to hard. I have found as of today doing my "Quilt as you go" quilt to be one of the more fun quilts I have made in a very long time. Like you I love making my tops and find it more challenging to get the quilt sandwiched and quilted. As of this QAYG quilt I have discovered using the Elmer's washable school glue to be the best option for securing all parts together and make the quilting a breeze!
I have been quilting almost 30 years and find things new here just about every day. So much information boggles the brain from time to time and I have discovered the traditional quilting of hand quilting on a frame for me is now a pleasant past time for the cold month when I have no rush and just want to be lazy. Then I can pick up one of the many tops I have here and just play. Enjoy the wealth of information that is available here.

Welcome from Southern Indiana....I'm sure you will enjoy this board and the wonderful people that make it happen....

Welcome from Michigan!:)

Welcome from South Louisiana. My suggestion...join a quilting group. Most guilds make donation quilts for multiple organizations. They will be happy to take your tops and finish them.

Welcome!! I second Barbs comment about joining a guild!