AshleyR

In the next couple of weeks, I'm going to take a class. It really all depends on their schedule. I guess I'll skip the dissolving thread. We'll wait and see if I am any good at it, or if I enjoy it and go from there. I do like the idea of having it basted there anyway. I usually spray baste on a big table at work, but I haven't had much success with it. The quilt I'm working on now is cotton thru-and-thru and it still didn't baste well. It looks good now that I've stabilized it; I finally started quilting it today and it's holding together after a LOT of pressing. I learn something on every quilt.

I really love quilting on my little Pfaff. When I tried using a larger machine on a frame, it was very frustrating. I don't have that frame anymore and I don't miss it. My husband - the enabler! - wants me to get a long arm. I think I'd be happier with a big ole sit-down machine. But it takes a long time to quilt when my time is so limited I think learning how to long-arm will be faster. I'd like to combine the two for the ultimate quilting!!!

sewplease

This is a great thread. Please keep us updated on your progress. It sounds like lots of fun!

sewplease

[QUOTE=candi;5239666]
I am attaching links to the threads of the first two quilts I LAed on first rental time, and the last charity ones Ipractcied custom quilting on.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...d-t110136.html
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...d-t114058.html
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...g-t187902.html

Wow, for only doing this a few times, these look great! Thanks for the inspiration!

Patti Sue

Ashley, how goes the quilting on the LA? I just thought I would chime in and tell you we rent our LA our to quilters but they must take a series of classes. It seems to help a lot and we are always there when they quilt in case they need help. Before my daughter opened her shop I drove 50 miles one way to rent a LA and like someone else would make a day of it. Go for it and keep us posted!

AshleyR

Thank you for asking. I haven't had a chance to go out there yet. But it's still on my list of things to do!

QuiltingCrazie

You would do fine!!! I use my friends long arm I use panographs and I don't have issues. All you can do is try it. I know everyone says there's a learning curve but try panagraghs start on simPle ones to get the rhythm down I find I do better when I'm talking vs consentrating, but don't think u can assembly line do them it takes lot out of u . I did two this week and my feet hurt lol but I take breaks too because I start to see double! Have fun with it!!!!!

LynnVT

While considering what you want to have for yourself, try to practice on a sitdown machine like the HQSweet16. I won a free long arm class with a master quilter who is an excellent teacher, but after 3+ hours standing up at the machine I was physically very uncomfortable. I felt that it would take a LOT of practice at her usual fee (I think it was $20 and hour to rent time), and I am really not drawn to that type of quiting. The sitdown machine is only a fraction of the cost of a long arm, and includes an adjustable height table. If you like using your machine, it is a similar activity. You might be able to fit it into your home a lot easier, too. I'm trying to figure out how to pay for one, but feel sure it's what I want.

newbee3

If you got a thread color that would blend your mistakes would not show. I just took my first class and got certified. Went back one week later and got my quilt quilted It really did not take a long time to load the quilt we used the zippers for the backing so that was done at home. just zip the back on roll it up the batting and top was floated and it worked real well for me. In fact planning on going back this month would like to do one every month but that is a lot to get done in a month. I love fmq and found it easier than wrestling with a big quilt on my domestic I will still quilt on my machine for small quilts and runners but for the big ones I will use the LA . Just go and try it out.

AshleyR

I have to admit, I'm saving up for one of these: http://www.sunshine16.com/TakeIt.html
I think I'd love it! I do have nerve issues in one of my legs and my back isn't the best either, thanks to being rear-ended too many times!! (I think I have a bullseye on the back of my car!) It hurts to stand and it hurts to sit too.
Luckily, I have a pretty good quilting set-up and I'm pretty good with quilting on my domestic. I just love doing it, and I can't imagine I'd love it on the frame as much, but I can see it being a lot faster.

Oh well! One of these days, I'll be able to take the time to do it! Oh! and I can only go to the fabric store on Saturdays and they never have a class on that day. And reserving the frame for that day might prove to be more difficult than it's worth!

1000projects

I think 8 bucks is a Great rate for a LA rental. I would do it (except i have longarm at home) i think you will learn even if it is just every few months.