I am the lucky recipient of a table top Handi Quilter frame (passed on to me from someone who recently upgraded to an HQ16). It is the table top frame and machine carriage on tracks that you use with your own machine.

So...I finally got it set up and have my Juki TL 98 on the carriage and (I hope) ready to go. I think I got the quilt "loaded" and ready to go. I don't really know what to expect, but I'm using pracitice pieces of muslin for the top and the backing with batting in between, so as long as I don't break anything, I'll be OK.

Wish me luck! I'll be back after awhile to let you know how it goes. :shock:

I have one too that i haven't used yet i'll be looking forward to hear about yours

Good Luck! Sounds like you are off to a great start!

I'm baaaack.... I need to take a break! Quilting with the frame, as opposed to FMQ that I've been doing, is certainly going to take some practice before I'll be happy with it.

It's physically easier not having to wrestle the quilt around, but it's a whole new motor skill to develop for sure. I think I'd better practice drawing designs sideways to mimic the direction of travel with the machine and frame.

I've also got to figure out what to do with the cords so nothing drags when I'm moving the machine... And then there's that coordination problem; turning the control on, adjusting the speed, AND watching where I'm going all at the same time. It's kind of like learning to drive with a manual transmission; lots to pay attention to all at once! :roll:

On a good note, our cat is going to LOVE his new quilt to sleep on just in time for winter! :lol:

Wendy, as we cat lovers know, if the cat is happy everyone is happy!! haha
Oops- I forgot to wish you good luck! :)

I practice drawing with a dry erase pen, search the internet for free quilting patterns, put the patterns in sheet protectors and trace with pen, wipe and redo until you get the hang of it (turning the book side ways also helps with that). Soon you will have trained your brain to move with the machine. It actually does wonders learning to do this.

Use cable ties to hold all the wires together in one bundle. Then if you have a curtain rod nearby, attach a strip of elastic from the curtain rod to the cable bundle to take the sense of 'drag' off. leave lots of slack.

I was told with my Juki to always quilt from left to right and not go backwards. I don't know why but that is the way I do it.

i made templates out of heavy cardboard then trace around with pencile then i connected the images with lines so it is continous i made a lot of dog blankies have fun and rember to relax

I will be watching this thread! :)