I'm trying to be frugal like most others, but I've wanted a home quilting frame for awhile. I picked up a Handiquilter frame on Craigslist at a great price. All pieces are there. It looks like it will be manageable and almost idiot proof.

:oops: I however failed to think about the length of my kitchen table and just came to the realization that I'll only be able to do baby quilts with the thing.

<Insert string of expletives that many of you would find offensive here.>

Well then it's time to get yourself a craft room! Seriously, it may feel like a bonehead move right now but it may be a really smart buy for future endevoures!

I'd do something like this and blame it on being blonde! It comes in handy.

Not boneheaded, Planning ahead !!! LOL Someday you will be thrilled that you got one so big.
Sharon

Not boneheaded at all! For Christmas I asked for the Grace EZ3 frame. I have a large bedroom and my machine, computer desk, etc is in there. Well, the picture on the web (and on the box) of the frame show a smiling lady in front of a quilt that doesn't look too big. Well DUH.....if I am going to have a queen size quilt in the frame WHY didn't I realize how much room it would take???? Bless my heart, the quilt frame blocks me from getting to the treadmill now. Poor unused treadmill...... :lol:

exceuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuse me? you must mean redheads because i am a blonde and i never make mistakes. 8)

EXCUSE ME? Redheads DO NOT make mistakes!! :)

I got rid of my dining room table and put my quilting frame in its place. My hubby and I never use it since my son left home so it was the perfect place to put it.

Sybil

I agree. You were just planning ahead.

well ... if'n it ain't us blondes ... and it ain't yoon redheads ...

must be the brunettes.

:lol:

Hey I am brunette - maybe I should become a blond or redhead!! Or just let the grey take over!

i'm beginning to detect a trend here.

it isn't us blondes
nor is the redheads
brunettes take no blame
i'll bet grays say, "not our heads!"

this MUST mean quilters just DON'T make mistakes.

we make surprise design changes

so there! :wink:

Right on Patrice!!

Brilliant answer, Patrice!

Auburn with gray highlights :) :) :) :) :)

Not boneheaded at all...you were planning that future addition weren't you??

I'm thinking that once you use the bottle....heck...you aren't sure which color you are...so it doesn't matter.

i - of course - am a natural blonde. [this is me with my snootiest expression and tone of voice. :lol: :lol: :lol: ]

still ... i didn't want to go there (to the bottle complexities). the poem would've been 3 pages long. :shock: :lol:

LOL Yup, must be the brunettes. LOL

Now Wait just one little minute!!! What makes you so sure it is us? I think it is the gremlins that come in the night and change things around and steal fabric and put weird ideas in our heads!!LOL

we may not say it, but we all know that somehow it must be men. hehehe!

:lol: :lol:
or the stupid cat...I'm VERY MAD at mine right now.. :evil: :evil:

Or when someone moves out and vacates a room...
Or taking over the garage....
Or taking over the basement....

I impatiently waiting for any of those 3....

Patrice used her snootiest voice to make sure we all new she was a natural BLONDE...not a natural blond.


:lol:

I have the perfect solution: My HQ Sixteen Stitch Regulated Machine with professional frame that accommodates a king size quilt. It has not been sold yet and is listed in the Classified Ads section :wink:
Nita

patrice is a blonde? according to her avatar, she's supposed to be a grey kitten lying on her back. i thought that was her favorite position for pondering our many problems.

i'm not gray ... yet. but it's true i do my best pondering as i'm drifting off for a nap. :wink:

I love ya'al. You make my day!

8) Happy New Quilters. I have been sewing for a long time & quilting since 2006 that my hair is white. . I come up with I don't make mistakes I just make new creations.

Got any place in your home where you can put a sturdy "table" - it can be home-made, such as thick plywood on sawhorses or a door with filing cabinets for "legs", but ideally something that is long enough for all quilt sizes AND one that's always there, ready for you to work on your current project whenever you can spare even a few minutes?? One of things I like about my home-made table is that I have it raised to a height that is easy on my back. When my children grew up and left home, I took over a portion of almost all their bedrooms, so wherever I go in this house, I have a quilting project that I can work on. Since my moods vary, my quilt projects vary as well.

For just a few dollars you can get one of those folding banquet tables. The Handi Quilter would do just fine on that thing. They come in 6 foot and longer lengths.

How wonderful to have one of those! Best of luck with your quilting.

Sincerely,

Levada Pendry

Relax and enjoy what you have. I bought a used HQ16 but had a strong wooden table with locking wheels made by a friend. So now my HQ16 straddles the guest day bed in my workroom. When I have guests I just roll it to the other side of the room, since my sewing machine cabinet is closed and there is room there.
Be creative and have fun.
alice

I also got rid of my dining room table for my handi quilter. You could actually use your dining room table for awhile if you want. It will work. Mine did until I got a table that I use instead.

patrice - is it true that blondes have more fun?

That was the first thing I tried....and realized it wasn't long enough. *sigh* Life goes on. I'll just manhandle them for now.

Go to Office Depot or Sam's Club & buy you one of those banquet folding tables. I have 3 of them & they come in real handy for quilting projects. They just fold up & you can slid them behind something or even under the bed.

to alice : can I querry where did you find a used HQ16 and if you would dare tell how much you spent???

I really am thinking of one .. but do not know IF I would use it all that much, my sinlge attempt at long arm made me totally frustrated and
I would hate to spend loads and then NEVER get comfortable enough
withit to make it usable .... share your feelings .. :) thanks

ROLF!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Well, I'm grey (almost white) and I could give a good one if I make mistakes. I've learned to shrug it off and start over or start from there. That comes with age. You younguns will soon find out. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Sandy ... and others 'out there',

I got my used HQ from a dealer that was upgrading the model she used in her store. I can't remember the exact price ... but, it was a great deal for me.

One of the quilt shops near me here in Phoenix, AZ area is selling their fllor model HQ16 with the HQ Prostitcher ... table and all. You can look up Sew FromThe Heart [I think it is: sewfromtheheart.com ] and check it out.

Since I don't do quilting as an income, buying the last model out isn't a biggie for me.

Hope this helps.
alice

To Sandy and all,

A big OOPS. It does take quite a while to 'bond' to a quilting machine. Lots of dedicated [or not so dedicated] practice. You'll be glad of the end results, though. Number one hint: find a local mentor and don't get discouraged.

I am still at the charity quilt phase. I do well enough for utility quilts but feel I need more practice before I quilt my friends quilts. Hopefully, that day will come relatively soon.

alice