I LOVE your attitude...it will keep you young and fresh. My old HQ16 Craigslist machine sits in an alcove in our living room. There is no other place to put it. I just do not quilt when DH is trying to watch TV.

I am mainly a charity quilter and it has brought me great joy in my life. I bought it used so no lessons but lots of online help. I just do free stuff from the front of the machine.

Well good for you! Where are you in Oregon? I'm in Albany, trying to get a list of longarmers in the area who would like to get together to share our longarming knowledge.

Congrats on your LA :) I am in love with mine :) honestly think I would defend it with my life lol....it is my baby!

Dunster that is a great idea. there is a LQS up here in MA/NH area that has a Long Arm club. Most of the people in the club have HQ's, I have an innova and another lady has a gammill. But it is tons of fun. Sponsored by the LQS too.

I am considering the same machine. I'll be doing the work from sitting on a stool so the frame was a big consideration. Have you been driving it yet??? I'm wondering about the stitch regulation// How's it handle??

I love it! Who said 78 was old, anyhow? In fact, I think sometimes we learn faster because we HAVE to! That's okay about the sofa, too...get rid of it! I did when I got my LA and I've never looked back (in all fairness, I replaced a huge sectional with a smaller than average sofa and I'm happy!). So go for it and enjoy it!

Where in NH, is this the one in Pelham? Bits and Pieces? I have been debating on a longarm. Its a bit ovrwhelming just to decide on which machine is the best. I am trying to do my research before I go to a shop and get talked into one by a sales person. I want to figure out the difference between them. To me it seems like the ease of loading one would be the most important. Then I also would like one that I could put on auto pilot here and there.

Never to old to learn and enjoy it, and I got to keep the couch (we added a room to the house):)

You go girl. I thinking about the HQ Avante. Just had my 6th back surgery last Sept. then Jan 2 of this year fell at work and broke my right femur. Still having a lot of pain with my back. Some days I think I will then some days I think I want. I just turned 60 but some days I feel like 160 haha.

Congratulations!!! Hope you have a great time with your new toy. Thank you for sharing.

Congratulations! What a wonderful "gift" you gave to yourself. May you enjoy it for many,many years.