HQ Stories

Featured Stories

Tell Your HQ Story

Which HQ quilting machine do you own?

HQ Sixteen? HQ18 Avante? HQ24 Fusion? HQ Sweet Sixteen? HQ Pro-Stitcher?

We want to hear your HQ Story (and see your photo)!

We have selected this years HQ Stories.

Tell us why you bought your HQ machine and what you're doing with it now.

Has it increased your productivity? Made quilting fun again? What's great about quilting on your HQ machine? Write your story, include a photo of yourself (with or without your machine or quilting project) and submit it.

We want to hear your HQ Story!
Tell us why you bought your HQ machine and what you're doing with it now.
Has it increased your productivity? Made quilting fun again? What's great about quilting on your HQ machine?

Need some ideas? Click here to read stories entered in 2010. (If you entered in 2010 and were not chosen, you are eligible to enter again with either the same story or a new one.)

The deadline for the HQ Story 2011/2012 marketing campaign has passed. You are welcome to submit your story at any time, but only those received by midnight MST, Tuesday, August 30 will be considered. Thank you.

We'll post ALL of the stories on our website (along with your photograph and your name, city and state), but only a small group will be selected to be featured in magazine ads for 2011 and beyond.

The selected quilters will be invited to be our guest*at a special three-day 2011 My HQ Story Retreat in Salt Lake City! Deadline for consideration for print ads (and FREE HQ Story Retreat) wasTuesday 30 August 2011. Those selected will be notified by email by September 2, 2011 and once accepted, the names of the chosen will be announced on September 9 on the Handi Quilter website, Facebook and Twitter. Stories submitted after these dates will be posted to the Handi Quilter website, but are not eligible to be selected for the ads or the retreat.

*Included: Reimbursed airfare up to $500 (checks to be sent once receipts are received), ground transportation while in Utah, all meals while in Utah, retreat instruction and kits. Not included: Transportation to home airport or parking, meals while underway to Utah. 

 

2011 My HQ Story: Michelle Banton
Just me.

Share with your friends


About 10 years ago I discovered the world of Longarm Machine Quilting. I purchased an old, circa 1983, machine from a friend who had a home decor business. One button made it start and stop. That's it. No stitch regulator, no table height adjustment, no computer, no laser pointer, no pantographs, no bells, no whistles. I played with that monster for a few months and sold it. I knew it wasn't the right machine for me – either for my own use and especially not for going into business. But, I was hooked on the idea of moving the machine to create the quilting pattern, instead of moving the fabric. I started hanging out at Longarm Quilting Shows – getting to know the different dealers, machines and other professional quilters and pretending that I “belonged” to the “club”. I tried using a Juki TL98e on a Grace frame – the concept was the same, but it just wasn't the REAL Longarm experience. Fast forward 10 years to this spring – I realized I needed to work a few more quarters to qualify for Social Security in a few years. Because of the need to sometimes be available in a caregiver role, I knew I couldn't have a “regular” job that required me to work a certain weekly schedule. But I had to find something to earn those Social Security credits. After much consideration I decided to go into business for myself – as a Longarm Quilter. It was time for MQX East. I've attended this show from it's beginning – pretending that I was part of the Longarm Community. I was always the kid standing outside the fence, looking into the playground and wishing I could join in the fun. But this year it was different... I was going to purchase a machine and the show wasn't going to close down until I decided which one to buy! My husband encouraged me to find the right machine for me. He knew that I would thoroughly research my options, and he left the decision entirely up to me. I test drove every single brand of machine there, but it didn't take me long to decide that Handi Quilter was the brand for me. The smooth lines of the machine make it the most attractive one on the market, but pretty doesn't necessarily mean the best machine – except in this case! I had my choice of 2 excellent local dealers – a huge selling point! My dealer (Charlton Sewing Center, Charlton, MA) offers monthly training classes. The owner (Cathy Racine) has been repairing machines of all types for years, so I knew my local dealer & her staff would have the technical knowledge I needed...and they are so close! I also really appreciate all the online support that is available on your website. I bought the HQ24 Fusion with 12' frame. To top it off, my friend Sue Fors, has the same machine and I knew we'd have one another's support, knowledge, and ideas to build on. On my way home from the show, I was still so excited that I called and ordered the HQ Pro-Stitcher too! I know this combination will last me for years – both mechanically and technologically. I've always enjoyed making quilts to give to others (graduations, weddings, babies, Project Linus, ABC Quilts, and other local charities) – it's so much easier now to be able to not only piece the tops, but finish the quilts in so many different ways. I've gotten comfortable with pantographs and some freehand quilting and now I am learning to use the Pro-Stitcher. Finding quilt tops to practice on hasn't been hard – I've had them waiting in my UFO boxes for years. I'm just now launching my business so I can start earning those SS work credits – but it doesn't seem like work. It's great to think that I'm getting paid to do something I enjoy so much! I also recently found out that my Great-Great-Grandma used to machine quilt for others with a precursor to our current longarm machines. Her frame hung from a track on the ceiling in her living room and allowed her to do free motion work. I think of her nearly 100 years ago doing basically the same thing I'm doing today. Wonder what Great-Great-Grandma Minshall would think if she saw my HQ24 Fusion and HQ Pro-Stitcher? I bet she'd want one too! I'm passing my love of quilting down to my 5 year old granddaughter, but she won't have to wonder what things were like back in 2011 – she's right there along side of me “helping” me every step of the way. When my frame arrived, she insisted on helping me assemble it. Sure, I could have put it together faster alone, but what fun we had sorting all those bolts and pieces. She's already learning how to do free motion work with my Fusion. Finishing quilts these days is so much fun with the ease of operation, quilting options, and dealer support that I have with my HQ24 Fusion and HQ Pro-Stitcher. That's MY HQ Story!

I own the following HQ machines: HQ24 Fusion, HQ Pro-Stitcher

Marilyn and Stan Freeman
Stan and I by the HQ18 Avante

Share with your friends


Time for me to start quilting seriously finally arrived two years ago. I was through making clothes, wedding gowns, etc. Now I wanted and needed to use up closets FULL of fabric, mine and my mothers. One night after finishing quilting my third king size quilt on my regular sewing machine, I sat down and picked up the newest quilt magazine that had just arrived. The long arm quilting machines caught my eye. WOW! That is what I needed. I commented such to my husband, Stan. He immediately replied "Go buy one." Next question was "Where would we put it?" We ruled out the basement as it would be a tight fit. Stan then said, "at our garage in Nickerson (a very small town 10 miles a way). He later said he was kidding but the cat was now out of the bag and the plan evolved into a business venture. Both of us being retired this would be a perfect fit for both our interests and talents. This garage was built in 1921 by his great grandfather. It has been a home to various endeavors over the years...a Farmal tractgor dealership, an actual working mechanical garage for large trucks, etc. For the past 30 years it had been used mostly for storage. It had a large office with south windows all along the front for excellent lighting. We immediately went to our local quilt shop, Country Traditions. Being a mechanical engineer, Stan fell in love with the Pro Stitcher and the Avante. He knew AutoCad and knew he could master Quilt Cad. I loved it because it used any type of thread which I had in abundance. We didn't look any farther as it had everything we wanted or needed. Another plus was that the store owners would bring it out, set it up and give us lessons on how to use it. After many months of cleaning and painting the garage, the HQ18 Avante came! The QUILTING GARAGE became a reality. Stan focuses on designing new patterns on Quilt Cad and stitching them. My focus is freehand quilting. We are hoping this new venture will bring new life to a very small town and a great old building besides being a great adventure for us (we're in this together).

I own the following HQ machine: HQ18 Avante

Kristi Jons
Ruler work doesn't have to be scary

Share with your friends



                Currently a local radio station is running an ad offering “passionate advice” on a product they are promoting.   That phrase—Passionate advice—always catches me.  Recently while I was working --for probably my 25th hour-- on a charity raffle quilt I was quilting for my quilt guild I thought, that’s what I am, a passionate machine quilter!  If I don’t have a quilt for myself or a customer to quilt, I go looking for stuff to do on my HQ18 Avante.  I quilt charity quilts for the Sioux Falls guild, I work on raffle quilts,  I quilt “recycle bags” which I then sew up and give to friends, families, customers, and new members at guild.  I’ve lost count but since 2008 when I started this recycle project, I’m sure there have been at least 250!  I’m doing my part to eliminate plastic bags in our landfills.  Through all this quilting practice, I have discovered my quilting skills are improving!
                I started a beginning quilting class in 1995 and after quilting my first sampler quilt by hand—I have quilted all my other quilts by machine.  It was a progression from my domestic machine,  to putting my own sewing machine on a Handiquilter carriage,  to a HQ Sixteen in 2004, and finally to my purchase of the HQ18 Avante June of 2010.  I have loved my new machine!   I’ve gone from using the manual controls almost exclusively to using, on the HQ18 Avante, the precision cruise.  It works so well!  I am less and less afraid of ruler work and stitching around appliqué.  Of course I talk to my machine—I say I’m praising you Miss Avante, now don’t let me down.  I have realized that I am very lucky to have a mentor/distributor (Kathy Harrington) and machine mechanic (Chris at Fonders) in my city.  They have both helped my when help was needed, and they give “passionate advice!”
            One day this summer, the phone rang.  From the caller ID I saw it was Maude Daniels (age 86 and quite a character with a passion for life) .  I said Hello, and Maude's first words were, "Kristi, Dee said you could quilt my quilt!"  She was talking about her latest appliqué creation that Dee (her friend from Wisconsin) had prepared and pieced for her on which Maude had done the hand appliqué.  I was a bit taken back because I knew that Maude did beautiful appliqué work and wasn't quite sure I could do justice with my machine quilting.  Maude's rather offhand vote of confidence in me made me decide to take the job.  I knew that the quilting would have to stay in the background but at the same time, really set it off.   I carefully stitched around each appliqué shape and echoed for a couple rows before "McTavishing" in the center areas.  I did the border with a "hooked on feathers" stitch.  I used my embroidery machine to put stars within the pieced stars and did a little stitching within the biggest appliqués.  At this point I was deeply in love with my micro-handlebars.  Maude did a hand quilting stitch around each of the flower centers.  I was very proud of how I had complimented Maude's work and my biggest regret is that I didn't get a picture of Maude and myself at the quilt show standing by the quilt. You see Maude recently passed away after an emergency surgery.  Now instead I need to put Maude's obituary in my scrapbook next to that quilt.  I know the quilt was special to her and an intended wedding gift for her granddaughter .   I am happy I was able to contribute to the quilt’s beauty
                Another thing that I have enjoyed this past year is a machine quilting small group that is an arm of our quilt guild.  When I attend these meetings, I spend time with others that share my passion for machine quilting.  We help each other with quilting dilemmas, we watch quilting DVD’s, we get to try hands on lessons, we dabble with what design to use on various blocks, we also made a “quilt as you go” whole cloth raffle quilt.  I also value a chat group on line where machine quilters ask questions and get helpful answers.
                I still piece quilts and I do general sewing for customers such as curtains, alterations, teddy bears, and t-shirt quilts.  My husband and I make bean bag games.  He does the boards, I do the bags.  They are better money but bean bags aren’t my passion.   I do all these other things but I find I need to get my long arm fix.  Since my machine shares the basement family room with the television and the computer, sometimes she (Miss Avante) has to sit empty—you know football season is coming soon!  I am finding I do love to machine quilt and like the feeling that I am getting better at the skill.  I hope I can continue to spend quality time with my machine for many more years.

I own the following HQ machine: HQ18 Avante

2011 My HQ Story: Karla Petraglia
Free Hand With Winnie

Share with your friends


I’m the proud owner of a HQ18 Avante, but it was my dog, Winnie, who really helped me to learn how to use it! I started sewing around 10 years old, in a home that was rich with the tradition. My grandmother was a tailor from Germany, and taught me a lot about sewing garments. I’m sure I’m the same as many women: periods of time during which I hadn’t sewn for a while, but have actually sewn my whole life long. I went back and forth over the years with sewing and crafts. Then, about 2 years ago, got back into sewing in a big way. My husband said, ‘If you’re going to do this right, you should get yourself a good machine’, so of course I took his advice! I bought a top-of-the-line combination sewing/embroidery machine, and set up shop in a spare room of our house. I found myself a regular visitor at the store where I’d bought my machine, which also specializes in quilting supplies and equipment. To learn my new machine, I started with a ‘Bag of the Month’ Club, and never thought too much about quilting. However, I couldn’t help but notice the beautiful quilt-tops others were making there. They encouraged me to try it, and I took my first class in December of 2009. I took more classes, and my sewing room began to fill in with a cutting table and all the associated accessories, and of course, lots of fabric. Before long, I had pieced together four different tops, and had them finished by a local quilter. My husband and I were in awe when I would bring them home and how gorgeous they looked as finished quilts. That’s when I started researching longarms on the internet, taking a few months looking, reading and talking to users. I decided Handi Quilter was the machine for me and found my closest dealer, Elaine Gilmore at the Quilting Machine Shop in Bunnell, Florida. After a ‘test drive’ at her shop, I ordered the HQ18 Avante. At that time, I didn’t order the Pro-Stitcher because I felt I should learn how to free-hand first. Elaine had a show in Paduca, so I agreed to wait a bit for my machine; this gave me plenty of time to go crazy waiting and thinking! By the next week, I called Elaine and added the Pro-Stitcher to the order. Elaine arrived early on a Saturday morning, and they had the machine set up by noon. For the rest of that day, she trained me on the Pro-Stitcher. She was back Sunday morning, we trained some more, then we loaded my latest quilt-top, a day-bed quilt with a dragonfly theme and a hibiscus stitch design. It went well, though I had a few ‘user-errors’ which Elaine helped me with. A thread-break revealed how incredibly easy it is to get back up and running from the same spot! We got about a quarter of that top done, and I was on my own to finish it. I continued to quilt for myself and friends using the HQ Pro-Stitcher, because there’s always something to learn with it, but I did very little free-handing at first. Which brings me back to my dog, Winnie, all Yorkshire Terrier, all 4 pounds of attitude! I knew that if I was to advance as a quilter, I would have to develop my free-handing skills. Several months ago, I began to apply myself to it. It didn’t go well at first. I made the same mistake everyone else does: I was too tense, and tried to ‘muscle’ the machine along. My stitches were not smooth, not artistic, not pretty. The more time I spent at the machine, the more Winnie was at my feet, fussing for attention. At some point, I picked her up to quiet her down, and, while holding her, proceeded to ‘one hand’ the HQ18 Avante with the other. The result was something I would have never expected! This ‘one hand drill’ forced me to relax my grip, and my free-handing skills developed very quickly. Winnie has moved on to other mischief, and while I generally steer the arm with two hands, I ‘solo’ every day just to keep that touch. My HQ18 Avante was a great investment. There are just so many incredibly useful features. I love the ‘move’ function, which lets me see if my quilt is straight on the frame, and the ‘point-to-point’ capability if things aren’t straight on the quilt. ‘Rotation’ and ‘mirror’ are great, too, and returning to the exact spot on a top of any size is a breeze should a thread break. Still, the best feature has to the looks on visitors’ faces when they see come over and see my machine, and I show them what it can do! And of course, Winnie helps!

I own the following HQ machine: HQ18 Avante

Jeanie Stellrecht
Me and my baby

Share with your friends


I had the small Husvarna viking quilt machine and the frame for about 3 years I wasn't planing on going in to business quilting so I couldn't;t justify it, but I really wanted the HQ Sixteen I showed it to my husband at a quilt show with no response. Then just before he retirered and told him I would really like to have it and he said I thought you were already going to get it so I did and that was a year and I love it.

I own the following HQ machine: HQ Sixteen