New things at Paducah
 

Two longarm companies have put their 16" or so throat machines into cabinets so you move the quilt instead of the traditional longarm where you move the machine. They don't take as much space as the longarm. In the $5,000 range. The ones I looked at today were HandiQuilter and Tin Lizzie.

Also, this year steam floor cleaners were selling like hotcakes. The demo gal was steaming a quilt. I don't get it. Wouldn't that just force the dust down into the quilt? Who wants to clean floors instead of sew anyway?

HQ has had a sit down model for some time. Must be they are promoting them more now.

The steaming isn't to clean the quilt, some people steam after quilting to block it instead of wetting the whole quilt.

One of these days I want to look into a quilting machine that is not frame mounted. I don't want a frame, but I'd love the additional throat space.

I have a HQ Sweet Sixteen sit down and love the extra throat space.

One of by girlie friends has the Tin Lizzie and she likes it very much.........calla

Just saw an ad (was in my e-mail) that HQ has a 'stitch regulator' for their sit down machines. It's called 'True Stitch' so I'm sure that is what they are promoting...

Cost of stitch regulator
 

I overheard HQ telling someone that the stitch regulator was $800 more.

She was telling the crowd that the quilt was nearly dry after steaming. I've wet the whole quilt to block, but wonder if there was enough water in the quilt after steaming to block. Anyway, I don't need a "gadget" to block quilts.

I tried out both in Paducah. I really liked them. I have a Bernina 440 QE with the stitch regulator and don't particularly like it. I found that it got in the way of my stitching. However, I tried the HQ stitch regulator and really liked it. It works like a wireless mouse. The really neat thing is there is a magnet that fits on the top of the regulator mouse which anchors the quilt. If you rest your hand on it while stitching it gives you some more control. I am starting my HQ savings account and hope to get it.