Thinking about longarm certification class in TX
 

I've been quilting for a few years and have been doing my own FMQ and walking foot quilting. I've considered a longarm, but just trying them at a show felt awkward. I noticed a couple places here in north Texas where you can take classes to get certified to rent time on a longarm, and I thought that might be a neat way to become more familiar, plus DH is asking for Christmas ideas...

I have both Connie Keller in Lewisville (APQS Texas) and Nanc Christopherson at LQ Academy in Ft. Worth (HandiQuilter) roughly 1/2 hour from my home near Denton. Would any fellow north Texans recommend one in particular for someone with no longarm (but a few years of FMQ experience) to learn the basics?

(as a note, we hope to be moving in the next year so I would put off any machine purchase until we're settled in our new state - I'm not looking for feedback on either as a machine dealer).

Thanks!

Michelle

I think if I were going to rent time on a long arm I'd want to take the classes for the brand of machine I was going to rent. While they're all similar, every machine has its differences. I ended up buying the brand of long arm I had played with the most.

Cari

Yes, this is what came to my mind also. Could you else take classes at both places?

I'm actually not planning to rent anytime soon, just thinking it would be good to take a few lessons to see if I even like longarming and want to pursue a machine in the future. When I've tried them at quilt shows it's just been overwhelming with everyone milling about, watching, etc.

Kind of like when DH took some woodturning classes - they were taught on a much higher end lathe than he would ever buy, but learning the basics helped him figure out what he needed, what kind of projects he wanted to do, etc.

How do most people learn about longarms, whether they like them, want to get one, know enough to do proper test "drives" when it's time to buy, etc.?

Check out Urban Spools in Dallas. They aren't close to you, but within a reasonable distance. They have a longarm class which includes time on the machine. They rent machine time, but you have to take their class. I've not taken any classes from them, but they are my favorite quilt store. The folks there are great.

bkay

I learned to longarm at my LQS. They had a class and then rented time after you qualified with the class. Their first machine was a Nolting with no stitch regulator. They later upgraded to a Gammill with no stitch regulator. After using those machines, we moved and I started looking for a machine. I tried many machines (particularly at large shows- which is a great place to try many machines). I tried a HandiQuilter, a Tin Lizzie at a dealer, and a couple of others.

As I was looking, someone suggested trying the Innova. I tried it and fell in love. It is made by a company that makes commercial quilting machines. It is made it in the US. (So is APQS.) I like the following about my Innova: it is relatively lightweight, it is very low maintenance, there is 24/7 phone support, it is easy to upgrade without having to buy a new head for most upgrades. FYI: They are based in Montgomery, Texas. They are reasonably priced.

[QUOTE=bkay;They have a longarm class which includes time on the machine. They rent machine time, but you have to take their class.

bkay[/QUOTE]Yes! This is what I was trying to think of earlier. Most places will want you to take their class to rent their machines.
I saw my first long arm at a sewing machine store several years ago. I was intrigued but at that time not much interested. As time went by I became more interested. As the arthritis in my hands began to rear its ugly head when trying to quilt larger quilts on my domestic machines the thought of moving the machine instead of fighting with the quilts under the machine started looking better and better. I started looking at different long arms, went to a big show and tried some out, tried out a couple at quilt shops that were for sale and finally took the plunge and bought a Handi Quilter Avante. I love the machine and my dealer. Help is always just a phone call away as she is close by.

Cari

Unfortunately my LQS doesn't have a longarm at the shop (but I do love them for fabric!), and I'm not researching brands or dealers and I'm not looking to rent (or circumvent the required classes before renting). I'm just trying to figure out how to best learn how to operate a longarm and understand setup, etc. so I can be better informed and then decide whether or not it's something I want to look into for the future (and if so, have the basic skills to do meaningful test drives if I choose to go that way).

Michelle

I think instead of looking for particular named teachers, you'd probably be better off looking for beginning longarm classes. I know you said you're not interested in renting time on a longarm, but THOSE classes are ideal for what you're looking for. The teacher should teach you how to load it, how to adjust tension, what the machine's features are, some beginner quilting stitches and techniques, how to change the bobbin, etc. All of these lessons are invaluable for making a decision about whether you'd actually like the longarm process or not.

I've been taking classes as a way of test-driving new machines. You are right - testing them at shows doesn't really allow you to get a feel for the machine. Taking a class lets you put the machine through the paces, and you get to see how easy or difficult it is to do various tasks.

My personal recommendation is that you take a handful of beginning longarm classes from different teachers on different machines. Not all machines are the same, and you could have a bad experience on one machine or with one instructor that might turn you off from quilting altogether. So spread your exposure and have some fun!

I agree with Peckish that the certification class is an ideal way to expose yourself to LA quilting. My first exposure to a LA was doing the certification to rent class at a shop over an hour away. It was a certification class on a handiquilter. It definitely gives you feel for if you will even like longarming. Usually they cover loading backing, top and batting on the frame then go over the basics of the machine (on, off, needle up down position, stop, go, etc). Then they usually have you try several techniques. In my class it included following a pattern design with a laser light (much like doing a panto, only it was just a small block pattern and we worked from the front of the machine) following a marked line (like a stencil), doing a little FMQ and we also got to try "groovy boards".

I would call each place that offers and ask the following questions:
Is the class all hands on
How many students per machine (in my class there were only two of us so we each shared the one machine head and got to practice each technique) Ideally the ratio is one person per machine but two is doable.
What things are covered in the class.

It really doesn't matter what machine you try this out on as you can try different machines at shows and if you seek out dealers in your area, many allow you to test drive the machines in their showroom without all the distractions and crowds of a major show. As I stated above my first class was on an HQ but I ended up buying an innova.

I think you have gotten some great advise! Think of this as test driving a car. You might not buy the first model you drive, but driving one will help you narrow your requirements. Also pick the brains of people you know who own long arms (in person as well as here). Most long armers are more than willing to tell you why they picked the one they did. I finally found my favorite one but I had 3 set ups before I got there! Each one taught me something...but I am glad I am done!

well I do suggest renting time on a longarm and yes they do require you to be certified to operate it would give you a feel for it and most important if you want to pursue getting a longarm I think it is like cars all are different but still have the basics for operating take the plunge

My dealer is Connie Keller. She has a great personality and has always been very helpful. I bought a used longarm through her, later had her come out and upgrade the table and just recently she came out to help me finish installing it after it had set disassembled for two years. So I have dealt with her since 2009 and no complaints.

I'm in north Dallas send me a message if you would like to come over and try the APQS at your own pace.

When I was looking for a quilting machine, I automatically assumed I needed to get a long arm. I was lucky enough to live very close to the Nolting factory, and I went there to talk to them. They let me just play on all their sample machines to see what I liked best, a good two hours. I was shocked to find out I don't like to long arm! The handles made me feel disconnected from the fabric, and I missed the tactile experience of holding the fabric in my hands. I also found out I don't like to stand while quilting. They got me a wonderful stool, adjusted the frame so I could use it. It still didn't feel right. I was so disappointed, but very, very happy I had tried it out first (does that make any sense?). I e entially discovered sit down machines, and that is what I ended up with. It satisfies my need to tactile fabric and is still much easier to use then a domestic.

Summary: Definitely find someplace to try a long arm before buying. I think the certification class would be a great way to find out what you do and do not like.

Pam

I took a class in my town to be certified to use their long arm machine. I was scared but the owner who was our teacher was very nice and I felt we had lots of hands on. The day I came back to do my own quilt was another great experience. I would highly recommend doing this.

Connie Keller is my APQS dealer and sold a Lenni to me. This is the smallest and least expensive of the APQS machines. A certification class doesn't take much time -- or require much cash investment -- and I think you are right to take such a class. Such a class would give you the opportunity to use several longarm machine models, to talk to people who quilt for others, and learn about the options for each type of machine that you might want to consider in making the purchase. Connie Keller has all APQS models in her store. She can also demonstrate the APQS software that drives that brand of machine in case you are interested that upgrade. (I have it, I love it!)

Connie is a great gal, will take all the time you need to get comfortable with the machines, and has a wonderful, bubbly personality to boot.

I don't know Nanc Christopherson, so I cannot comment on her certification courses.

Michelle--definitely go ahead and take a certification class--it will give you all the basics on how to use a long arm machine and while it would be nice to take with a dealer of the kind of machine that you might eventually buy, since you don't know that yet, it really doesn't matter--they are all based on the same principals (I've taken many long arm classes at shows and used a number of different machines other than the brand I own). Certification classes are a great way to start and find out whether you might actually enjoy quilting on a long arm. If you think it was a good experience after the class, definitely rent time to quilt one or several of your own quilts on a long arm. With each quilt you will gain more confidence and expertise and your design work will really advance. Down the road you may decided to take the plunge into long arm ownership or you may decide you hate it--but either way you will have made a wise, smaller investment on deciding about a major investment! And yes, you will learn more techniques on FMQ

I'm in the Connie Keller camp also. Last spring I bought Kimmy Brunner's Millenium & when it arrived had Connie check it out after set up to make sure everything was ok. I've also been to her shop in Lewisville & see many who have taken her certification classes & rent time on her machines. In talking to them, they are very happy with her class & turn out some beautiful quilt.

As an owner of a HQ Avante, I would definitely recommend you take a class from the APQS dealer. I have heard such wonderful things about their machines. My Avante is difficult to deal with the tension so personally I would not recommend their company. My opinion only.

I would like to comment as a person who did NOT do any of the very wise things that you are being told, and you re aware of. I visited a friend and stitched a few things. My name a funny looking 'feather', and fell in love with longarm quilting. Not made of money, I purchased a used HQ16, have had NO PROBLEMS, but lack of experience, exposure and time on the machine, I find myself kind of intimidated. BUT I have a terrific friend, 30 miles away for backup. BUT I highly recommend 'hands on' time. AND classes would be great with others because sometimes another person will think of questions that won't occur to you until you are on your way home, IF you are like me! ; }

Even though you said you had tried them at shows, that's how I determined what brand/size/etc I eventually purchased.
I went to one of the big AQS shows - there were about 13-14 different brands of longarms, some I had never heard of before (and some which have since gone out of business). I went to the show 4-5 days, specifically to try the machines. I "test drove" every one of them, SEVERAL times.

Don't let the surrounding crowd at a show bother or intimidate you - they're not critiquing your skill, they're watching to see how easy it would be for THEM to learn!! They probably are too scared to even try the machine themselves!

Don't let the "famous" name brands intimidate you into buying something you're not comfortable with either! You have to consider what "feels right" to you!! Just like some people like small cars, other like minivans, and others like SUV's, a longarm needs to fit your comfort zone - not just money-wise, but how it "drives" for you.

Also, if you're not intending to buy a computer/robot system, don't let a "hard sell" influence you either. That's actually just one more thing to learn. (BTW, a computer system does NOT automatically make you an award-winning quilter - it's just one more thing to learn, ON TOP OF learning the longarm itself!!)

Make a list of things that are important to you, then try every brand you can, especially if you can try them at the same time, like at a quilt show. It makes it easier to do a valid comparison. Also, make a list of questions beforehand. Once you're at the show, being dazzled by the sales pitches, it's easy to forget the things that are important to ask about... things like service locations, hands-on training, ongoing support (upgrades to the embedded computer-boards and stuff), and so on.

I did all of the above, for about 2 YEARS, before I finally bought my system. I've never regretted my purchase.

One final note - once you do buy a system, look for either a Facebook or Yahoo users group. You will find SO MUCH HELP there!! There will be others that are happy to share their experience, knowledge, and tweaks that they have discovered.

Good luck!!
The machine I ended up getting was not "top of the line", did not have a computer system, and doesn't have any bells and whistles. It has a stitch regulator and it's own bobbin winder, but other than that, it's plain "vanilla". I've had her 10 years now, and have no plans to buy another one. I toy sometimes with the idea of getting the robotics for her, but usually decide I'm happy with what I have, as this is my main creative outlet.

I do not have the space for a LA but I like doing my own quilts from start to finish so I do rent a LA. Originally, I trained on and rented a Lenni (APQS) for a couple of years, then the owner of the machine closed up her brick and mortar quilt shop. I have recently taken the "training" class on an HQ Avante and today I rented it for a couple of hours to FMQ a throw size quilt. Although the machines are a bit different, they both require the same movement and confidence behind the "wheel." If it were me, I would be more interested in taking a class to improve my FMQ skills.

Just a quick update and a thank you to those who shared their direct knowledge - I've booked a certification/beginning class with Connie/APQS Texas for next month :thumbup:

Michelle

Happy to hear this!!
One more thing that I forgot to mention in my earlier post - and Pam had commented earlier too - that not everyone LIKES longarming!! (I hear some of you gasping!) A dear friend of mine, an LQS owner, told me one time that quilters seem to fall into either/or - either they like quilting on their DSM/sit down machine, OR they like to longarm.

So, if after your classes, you discover that you are like Pam (and many other quilters), and just do not like the LA, don't beat yourself up over it. You may find that one of the sit-down machines is a better alternative.