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Looking for Advice/Opinions
Posted: Sept. 23, 2008, 11:57 AM
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My mother and I are looking at starting a long arm quilting business and are going to purchase an HQ16. We do already have a small home system (Janome 1600P & Pennywinkle Frame). My main concern is making the leap to the bigger machine. I'm pretty descent at doing loops & meandering on our current frame but because of the quiltable area I have yet to follow a specific design. I know it takes some practice but do you all think that would be a good background for begining long arm quilting? Also, When starting out your business, what type of licenses, insurance & etc are needed if any? Thanks for any advice you guys have. I'm open to any other tips that I may not have questioned. |
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Looking for Advice/Opinions
Posted: Sept. 28, 2008, 8:40 PM
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| I had the original Handiquilter frame and switched to the HQ Sixteen and found that the little amount of experience I had was a great help after the switch. I was used to moving the machine rather than the frame, however. I don't know how much, but I'm sure it would help some. |
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Looking for Advice/Opinions
Posted: Sept. 29, 2008, 4:58 AM
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| Any experience you have will make the transition to the HQ16 easier and quicker. Once you have your quilting designs and methods down pat in your mind its just going to a bigger area. I would suggest going with the new bigger table is you have the room. For a business I feel it's a sturdier table. As for licenses,etc contact a Small Business Administration office in your area. Laws vary from state to state, country to country. Your local tax office may be of some help. Also, check on line with your local government. Know an accountant that likes to quilt? Maybe you could trade services. |
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Looking for Advice/Opinions
Posted: Sept. 29, 2008, 9:19 AM
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| I also started with the HQ Handiquilter frame and used it for about 5 years before I dropped my Brother 1500 while taking it off the frame. I then decided (with a large nudge from my husband) to get the HQ16 which I had seen in Houston in 2004 and had been drooling over since. I feel it was a big big help having the excperience on the frame and really didn't feel that intimidated when I started on the HQ. I still like to do meandering and free motion as that's what I'm better at. I have purchased a few groovy boards and am going to venture into pantos shortly. I love love love my machine and don't have one bad thing to say about it - good luck! |
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Looking for Advice/Opinions
Posted: Sept. 30, 2008, 9:44 PM
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| Thank you all for your comments. Do any of you use your HQ16 for business or just to quilt your own quilts? I was talking to a lady tonight who has her own long arm business and she was really trying to sell me on a Gammill. I really like the HQ's I've seen, so I doubt I would change my mind to a Gammill. |
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Looking for Advice/Opinions
Posted: Oct. 1, 2008, 5:13 AM
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| It's always nice to have a dealer nearby so that should weigh in on your decision. Small issues, tension, cleaning bobbin area are things you do, but if there is a major problem it's easier if you don't have to drive forever to get it fixed. Less frustrating too. Do the math. Figure up the price of all you want from both brands and I think you will find the HQ16 gives you more bang for your buck. Plus you like it and you should go with your first thought. Pantographs take some practice so go to willow leaf studios on line. They group their designs in easy, intermediate and advanced. Get a few easy and you will be on your way. Watch the design size because of your throat size, about 13 inches. Also larger quilts might not need as dense a pattern as smaller ones. Lots of things to think of. Have fun learning and quilting. |
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Looking for Advice/Opinions
Posted: Oct. 6, 2008, 1:53 PM
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| I am new to this forum..so please bear with me.. I am leaning toward the handiquilter 16 with regulated stitches..but I am in a delemma deciding if it will be right for me..I am currently working on a quilt top with 14 1/2 blocks..using a grace frame GMQ Pro with Juki TL98-Q ..if anyone has been there you know why I want to get larger sewing area..I have some of my mothers tops and want to do something special with them..so I know me I will want HQ Pro stitcher at a later time ..so I want something that will be upgradeable..there is a 18" new longarm that has come available ..but things are "ify" can't get anyone to tell me if it will have upgradeable features or that next year they will come out with a new machine after I purchase one ..if that is where i need to go..I wish I knew if HQ is coming out with a 18" or if they just stay with 16" ..they have all the bugs worked so it seems..just trying to decide what size would be best for me..i know bigger is not always better..but for me getting in the groove with a line and having to stop and roll ..takes the fun out and makes it work..going to a quilt show in Atlanta the 16th ..hope what i want to see is there..any ideas or thoughts? |
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Looking for Advice/Opinions
Posted: Oct. 7, 2008, 8:04 AM
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The buzz all over the yahaoo HQ16 group is that Baby Lock is coming out with a mid arm that looks remarkably familiar--like the HQ 16. It's called the Jewel. I also read that HQ is expected to inroduce a 24" (that sounds awfully big) at Houston. ????? Jean |
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Looking for Advice/Opinions
Posted: Oct. 7, 2008, 10:05 AM
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| I was told that HQ is manufacturing the Jewel for Babylock...so you know it will be a good machine..haven't heard about a 24' but was told to watch for something new introduced in Houston after the 31st. Humm |
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