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Encouragement Please!
Posted: April 23, 2008, 5:36 PM
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| I finally got my HQ16 and QuilTable set up after a series of delays. I must have watched the video on how to load a quilt on 10 times before I was able to get my "sample" loaded. Then, it wasn't quite straight, and I am not sure the tension is quite right! At this point, I am not feeling confident that I will be able to quilt a "real" quilt within the near future. I am scheduled for a 4-day camp on the operation of the HQ16 and hope that will make things seem easier. I want so much to love this, but I am a bit overwhelmed right now. Any encouragement/similar stories of your "rough" beginnings and eventual success?? |
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Encouragement Please!
Posted: April 23, 2008, 10:12 PM
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| I received my HQ16 in November and spent the first 4 hours trying to get the correct tension. I was wondering what I had gotten myself into until I finally changed threads and that was all it needed. I have quilted approx. 15 quilts and love love love my machine. I've had no trouble but make sure I do a sample to check the tension before starting and found that tweeking the bobin tension is sometimes necessary. Congratulations and chin up as I'm sure you'll be up and running smoothly in no time. |
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Encouragement Please!
Posted: April 26, 2008, 4:54 PM
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| When I received my machine last November my husband and I watched the set up video several times and took notes and then tackled setting up the table and the machine. The next day we tackled loading a test quilt, and the only problem we had were my leeders weren't straight. I will need to make a new set before I load a real quilt on there. We had a few problems with the tension at first but made all the adjustments on the bobbin and now it works great. Just wish I had more time to use it! It is very overwhelming at first but hang in there and keep watch over this forum. Everyone here is very helpful. You can do this!! |
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Encouragement Please!
Posted: April 28, 2008, 11:23 PM
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My father had passed away and left me some money. Just a few years ago he told me he would be leaving me some money and told me "TAKE THE MONEY AND BUY YOURSELF SOMETHING FUN! SOMETHING YOU WANT BUT THINK YOU CAN NEVER BUY!" I did just that. I bought my HandiQuilter16 and QuilTable. I had been wanting a longarm and table for many years, I decided on the HQ for several different reasons. I placed the order and was so happy about it I cried. I nearly mugged the UPS man when he came to deliver the table. Now you would think with all this anticipation I would have dove into those boxes....NUPE!!!! Those boxes sat in my living room for 3 days! I WAS SCARED SPEECHLESS! Finally my hubby and I (with strong encourgement from hubby) tackled the job of construction. The machine just looked SO BEAUTIFUL when we set it up. I was choked up with joy. I had bought some cheap muslin, batting, and thread. I got it loaded on the frame. I turned on the machine, set the stitch regulator, and made just ONE LINE of stitching. I sat down on the floor and bawled! I told my husband that I can't do it! No matter what I do it will look awful! This had to be the MOST RIDCULOUS purchase I've ever made in my life! My hubby (trying SO HARD to suppress his laughter) kept encouraging me "to give it another try!" The next day I made a plan for myself. I would practice on the muslin an hour in the morning, an hour in the afternoon, and an hour each evening. After about a week of practicing, I was beginning to feel pretty comfortable. In fact, I was quilting and breathing at the same time! WOO HOO. At least you are close enough you can go to the 4 day camp. That was not an option for me. But I think I'm going to be able to become an accomplished quilter after all. I've had my machine right at a year now and jump on the chance to do something with it. Here is a link to my webshots if you would like to have a peek. All but the bras and embroidered apron were done on my HQ. http://community.webshots.com/user/Crashnquilt?vhost=community |
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Encouragement Please!
Posted: April 29, 2008, 6:13 AM
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| Thanks so much for your comments Crashnquilt! Your story is similar to mine - my dad passed away about 2 years ago and left me some money. I had longingly looked at the long arms for over a year and finally decided to do something "crazy" with some of my dad's money. I found a demo model of the HQ16 and then ordered the QuilTable. Unfortunately about 3 weeks ago, my 51-year old sister passed away in her sleep - the same day the QuilTable arrived. Needless to say, life has been a bit overwhelming. We built the table and set up the frame. Then it sat there during all the funeral arrangements, etc. for my sister. Finally, bit by bit I loaded the muslin, etc. - and. . .not perfect - my husband laughs too when I get frustrated at my early attempts at something (it isn't going to perfect at first, etc.) I go to the camp this week - I am hoping to "feel better" about the whole thing soon! Thanks again! |
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Encouragement Please!
Posted: April 29, 2008, 7:00 PM
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| Crashnquilt, I was so thankful to read your comments on what it was like when you first got your HQ16. That pretty much sums up how I felt too. My HQ16 came to my house this past November, but due to the fact that we heat our home with a woodburning stove I was only able to use the machine about two times before the room I have it in was too cold to work in during the evenings after coming home from work. I finally put some muslin on about three weeks ago and began to practice some freehand quilting. I then received the ruler base and some rulers in the mail, and so then I loaded by third lap size pieced top (I'm still to unsure of myself to do a bigger quilt yet.) and began to quilt. I took the quilt off the frame this week and even though it isn't as good as I would like it to be, I can tell that I am improving with each stitch I take. I still have a ways to go though, but I am finally enjoying quilting with my HQ16. I no longer feel like I made a huge mistake, nor do I want to "scream" every few seconds. It may take awhile, but I am determined to improve my quilting. |
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Encouragement Please!
Posted: May 4, 2008, 10:11 AM
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| Hey dog loving quilter!!!!! How are you doing with your new set up? We've not heard from you for a while and are concerned that you've stitched yourself to the machine. |
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Encouragement Please!
Posted: May 7, 2008, 6:53 PM
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| I'm still here!!! Just took the 3-1/2 day class at Bayside - EB (from this forum) and I were quite the quilting team!! My biggest impression from being overwhelmed with HQ16 advice for 3-1/2 days is that this is gonna take some practice and that there are lots of fun toys to add to the machine!!! I did refrain from the groovy-boards stuff - but bought most of the other stuff. Now . . .when will there actually be time to practice???!! Thanks for checking in on me! |
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Encouragement Please!
Posted: May 13, 2008, 7:31 PM
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Quilt Camp was lots of fun. I think that Brenda and I have mastered the e's and l's - pantographs are a whole other story though. When I got home and showed my husband the goodies I bought I recognized that look in his face.... the man will be going to the woodworking stores and buying a few new tools. Keep trying to tell him - this is NOT a contest!!! I have been practicing this week. My tension is still not quite right. I turned on the alarm (stitch regulator) and realized I am going way too fast and so am trying to slow down. I think I will eventually get it all working right. At least that is what I hear from those who have been where I am now! I found an old panel from my MIL - something I really don't care for - perfect for my first 'real' project. Elizabeth |
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Encouragement Please!
Posted: June 15, 2008, 9:28 PM
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| i'm in the same boat of frustration as alot of you. i'm also a painter, knitter, scrapbooker, (etc) and with all that "art", i have to say....STOP WORRYING ABOUT BEING PERFECT! yes, i'm being somewhat hypocritical seeing as i tend to be a compulsive perfectionist, but seriously...being given a homemade/handmade creation is the best gift for almost everyone. the first quilt i ever did on my machine, i gave to my daughter when she went off to college and she hasn't stopped hugging me (she hasn't noticed a single out-of-place stitch...out of the hundreds). the next few were for friends who were having babies....same thing. no one noticed it wasn't perfect...and besides, all those stray stitches will soon be covered with baby spitup anyway. another friend won't stop BEGGING me for one of my sample quilts. (by sample i mean all sides are finished differently, several different patterns in the patchwork top, AND the backing is mismatched) she's SO EXCITED to own one of my quilts because it's "funky" and unique and an original! (i'm caving.....i've been telling her no for months because i'd be extremely embarrassed if anyone ever saw it.) there are also charities and shelters.... i realize there are situations that call for the perfectionist in each of us (quilt shows, professional jobs, etc), but take time to enjoy and CREATE. i can't believe all of the gorgeous quilts that take my breath away as i surf the internet. ....and they all were in our shoes at some point. |
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