Bought my first longarm!!
 

Well,I did it!! Yesterday I purchased a Babylock Crown Jewl. Get it on September 1. Was looking at HQ Avante and found out they are identical machines made by Handiquilter. I liked the pearl frame that came with the Crown Jewel better. I get a 2 day longarm training retreat from Texas Quilt Machines. I have only been quilting for 2 years (actually piecing the tops). I calculated how much I have spent on sending the tops out plus what I will have finished by the end of this year and it came to a little over $2,000!! I thought long and hard about purchasing a longarm and I know I will have a huge learning curve. Texas Quilt Machines said I will know how to operate my machine after the two full day classes. They cover a lot. I love quilting and now look forward to doing the entire quilts myself.

Good for you! Congrats! Hope you have many years of enjoyment out of it. If I had the room, I would get one, too.

How wonderful for you. I, too, don't have the room, but would love one. Maybe I should clear out the garage.

Happy Days! I started with a similar machine and loved it. Just remember that it takes practice, practice and more practice but you'll love the process! Don't forget to post pictures!

Congratulations! I bet you are excited.

I like how you say "first" longarm ;-) Congratulations.

Congrats and have fun!!

have fun.......

How wonderful. I have a friend who purchased one and talked about how great the retreat was.

Congrats! Enjoy!

Congrats! I've been debating whether or not to get one and so far haven't convinced myself to write the check.

First?????? Lucky you! When you are ready for your second, keep me in mind. I have not made the plunge yet.

Did you purchase your machine from Carry? Is that who will be teaching your class? If so, she is a very good teacher. I bought an Innova 18" and didn't get to take my class till about a year later. It was a good class.

Congratulations, you will enjoy yourself.

Congrats! I just bought mine (HQ Avante) in July, and I'm having a great time with it. Already finished 4 quilts, #5 is about half-done. Enjoy!

Congratulations!!!

I love the idea of a longarm machine, but I don't have the space and they actually intimidate me a little bit too. So much to learn! Doesn't stop me from watching a lot of YouTube videos and telling myself, "Some day...." though!

Good for you for taking the plunge! I hope you and your new baby have lots of productive and happy years together!

How much room does this machine require? I have considered one lately and wonder where would I put it. Thanks for sharing and congrats!

Good for you. I don't have any room for one. I use a 9" throat machine and have quilted lots of quilts. I don't do fancy stitches, just large stipples. Have fun learning how to use it, take notes.

I bought a used HQ16 off Craigslist. It did not take me long to get good on it. I started with charity tops from my guild. I had no lessons and just watched Utube stuff. Assume you will learn quickly and you will.

You are going to be so happy with your new toys. Considering what you paid for quilting services, you will break even very quickly and the best part is that the quilt is totally your creation from start to finish.
If you don't have a stack of charity quilt tops for practicing your techniques, buy a bolt of muslin and make quilts for the local animal shelter. The dogs won't care if your stitching isn't perfect and by the time you finish the bolt, you will be amazed how much you have improved.
I just upgraded from an HQ16 with PCQuilter (which I used for 7 years) to the Crown Jewel with Prostitcher. What a difference in the machines and software!! Less noise, smoother movement, and the stitching is more consistent when using the robotics.
Ifstamper - I have a 12 ft table and if one end is pushed against a wall, you need a minimum of 18 inches to walk (squeeze) around to the back side. I took over the living room as my studio. We also have a great room and didn't use the living room except for company. Now the room is used every day instead of being just a dust collector (well, ok...it collects a lot more dust with all the fibers but I don't have to clean an area that was under-used.)

have fun...don't forget to breathe...and when you need inspiration..I suggested The Pajama Quilter. She is wonderful for quilters starting out with freemotion. I could not quilt a panto to save my life for about 6 months. Now my machine and I are the best of friends...

Just finished my 5th quilt on mine. I was so frustrated 4 months ago when I first got mine. No instructions and I was clueless. Thanks to the internet, I am now enjoying it. Not sure if I'll ever be able to follow a drawn line on it, but I like the stippling I've done so far.

Have fun playing with your new toy.

Havve fun. There is a learning curve but once it clicks into you hands and brain it is sooo much fun.

Congratulations on the new machine! Like some of the others have said, it won't take you no time to get used to it. Breathe! Put some enjoyable music on & dance to the tune with your new baby. Don't forget to name her! Mine is Queenie. (She's a Queen Quilter 18, by Tin Lizzie) I've had mine since the end of March. Bought it used, had it shipped to me & have had no instruction except from reading & the internet. Took me 4 months just to get the frame to where it no longer would hit "bumps" & throw off my stitching! There are groups just for longarmers on the net that you can join & ask questions, we all help each other trouble shoot our machines & help with other things. Check Yahoo for one for Babylock. But there is one for Home quilting machines there that a lot of us belong to. Also, Quilter's Club has a group called Longarmers share. Do try & get your 2 day training as soon as possible. That will give you a tremendous edge to getting going. Like others have said, practice, practice, practice! Charity quilts are a great practice piece! Am looking forward to your posts of quilting!

Congratulations! When my dh retires and our children graduate from HS we will plan to move to a farm. My only request, demand really is that I get a LA and a decent space to use it. Good for you!!!

Congratulations! I bought mine about 2 months ago and I love it. You will not be sorry. I have quilted several quilts and it runs beautifully and the stitches are perfect. You will not regret it. Enjoy! Bonnie B

You will have a blast. Be patient with the learning curve. When you get frustrated just remember that you are fighting off dementia by challenging your brain cells to learn new things!:)

Congratulations! This is something I have on my wish list, for now it's just a thought. I'm sure you will learn a lot, and ask this group lots of questions when the need arises. Everyone seems to help each other quite a bit on this site.....

Congrats on your new machine! Do have fun with it, and keep practicing! :)

Enjoy your longarm...

I bought my Nolting from them also. I hope you enjoy it. Carrie is a great teacher and a lot of help. Good Luck

Thank for all the encouragement. The Crown Jewel is going in my dining room for now. Moved the dining table to the side, LOL!! We don't use this formal dining room much. After moving furniture around I have a 15 foot by 7 foot wide cleared space for it. After my 2 boys graduate high school in 2 years it will be going to a bedroom. Today I am preparing quilt sandwiches to practice on this weekend. Also cutting strips for binding since I have to learn to do that also. My longarm training retreat is September 28 and 29th. Thanks for the suggestions to give the practice quilts to an animal shelter. Love this idea!!

Congratulation on your first long arm. Learn as much as you can from classes. My husband bought me Sunshine 16 and there was no classes offer, etc. I truly wish it did so I could enjoy my machine better. Good luck and Enjoy!

Congrats you will have a lot of fun learning to quilt.

Congradulations! I know how it is when I get something new, I feel like a kid with a new toy. I am so excited to get started with it. I know you will love it.

Congratulations! Have fun.

Enjoy your machine

Well, I'm pea green with envy! Congratulations & have fun!

Lucky you! I wish I had room for a long-arm. I had thought of putting it in the attic playroom, but the ceiling slopes too much to be able to set one up. I will just continue to send some of my quilts to my friend who has one, got to a near by shop and rent one, and do the rest on my dsm.

Congrats!!! I just bought a baby jane and majestic frame. Works ok but wish I had spent the extra and gotten the Crown jewel. It was my first quilting machine. I used to hand quilt but fingers don't work as well now. I really like the
avante but that is so much higher price wise. Hope you enjoy yours.
and everyone is right. Practice, Practice, Practice.