When I took my very first hand quilting class in 1989, I did not think that I would even finish the sampler let alone become “Hooked on Quilting.” Now 20 + years later, after swearing that the only real way to quilt was to hand quilt, I am hooked on my
HQ 16. Over the years I’ve made quilts to celebrate special birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, new homes, graduations and grandkids. I’ve made a few commissioned pieces but most are given away as gifts. It is my way of telling my grandkids, kids and spouse that I love them. It is my way of telling far away siblings that I’m thinking of them. And it is my way of telling friends that I admire their strengths and talents and to thank them for their friendship. My favorite quilt is “MY HEART REMEMBERS” – a quilt made to honor two important women in my life: my mom Muriel who died of breast cancer at the age of 37, and my grandma Helena. A breast cancer survivor,at the age of 69 she came to live with us and helped take care of us- her 7 grandchildren – ages ranging from 4 to 15 years old. From her I learnt that one was never too old to learn. She taught us to appreciate the satisfaction of a job done well. And from her I received my love of sewing, knitting and all other handicrafts

I own the following HQ machine: HQ Sixteen

I have been sewing as long as I can remember anything. When I was around 8, my mother taught me to sew, and to embroider, and to do other hand stitching like needle point and cross stitching. In high school, I remember being all the envy because I had a ton of clothes. Both my mom and I made them. At the time, I was embarrassed because my suits were hand sewn, but I now value the experience. They were different and lovely. And today, I love to make pretty dresses for my daughter. When I was 21, I received my first sewing machine, and promptly started to make my first quilt. I didn’t know too much then besides how to sew the squares together, but what I lacked in knowledge, I made up for in determination. That mindset has never changed. I am predominantly self-taught, and spend many hours examining the great works of others for inspiration.

Over the years, my quilts have improved. I have hosted and participated in over 2 dozen quilt swaps in recent years. This experience has allowed me to hone my skills and work in fabrics, colors or styles that I might not necessarily be drawn to at first. I think it has made me a more skilled and more creative quilter. Three years ago, I began making donation quilts for the children’s charity Project Linus. Since then, I have delivered nearly 100 lap sized quilts to the children of Southern Maine. These were all machine quilted before I had a longarm!

Now what you don’t know is that this is a hobby that I have been squeezing in when my life has a spare moment or two. I am an educated and experience mechanical engineer. I worked professionally for a number of years. Five years ago, when my 2nd child was born, I stopped working full time, in order to raise two, and then three young children. What may seem daunting to some, I saw as a great opportunity for more sewing time! I sewed when they napped. I sewed before they awoke. I often ensure that I have a little hand sewing for the evenings too. Am I addicted? Yes, but it is a good addiction.

Last year, I entered my first quilt show. I didn’t know any better so I entered my quilt in the judged division. I got an honorable mention! I was delighted. The quilt was heavily hand appliquéd and hand quilted for my then 2-year old daughter, Sophie.

Since purchasing a new machine in 2007, I have done increasingly more machine quilting. At first, my quilting was worse than a train wreck. My tension was all amuck. I couldn’t sew anything that looked decent. I thought it was a sign that I should just go back to hand quilting. Then, with many hours of practice, my quilting improved and I had a real love of machine quilting. Don’t get me wrong, I am very traditional and still love to hand quilt. But the itch to machine quilt had started. I have had a few quilts professionally machine quilted in the last few years as well, and all but one of these experiences left me bitter and upset over the quality I received. I just knew that I would have done a better job, and with more creativity. Suddenly, I had a mission. A new purpose in my life…affordable quality machine quilting for others. At the Maine Quilt Show in July of this year, I tested all of the longarm machines, but given the immense cost, I mostly reconciled that it was a pipe dream. A month later my husband gave me the go ahead to formally buy one.

I tested many, and was quite sure I wanted the HQ16 all along. The competitors were trying hard to sell me on their machine over the HQ16. In the end, I went back to my local HQ rep and tested the Fusion, and within a week I bought it. It arrived a month ago, and I haven’t looked back since. I love this machine, and am only scratching the surface it what I can do with it. I have set up my business and already have 15 customer quilts from people that know me via the internet. Each day, I am delighted and challenged. This is how life should be.

So there is my story. It’s probably not all that unique, but it’s mine. I’m a mom of three. I teach engineering classes at a local university. And I am a longarm quilter. Each time I went to see my local HQ rep prior to purchasing the Fusion, I heard this song on the radio. The lyrics called to me. I may always be a mom, and an engineer, but I was ready to “Take a chance”, and to “Make a change”. I’m now proud to be a longarm quilter too.

I own the following HQ machine: HQ Fusion

With the intense quilting in my work, I wanted a machine that would save me time, and be as easy to use as my home machine. The
HQ Sixteen® Sit-down model was exactly what I was looking for. My production time has been cut by half! And with all the extra space, now my quilts lay flat!
www.davidtaylorquilts.com

I own the following HQ machine: HQ Sixteen Sit-down

As young girls, my sister and I would sit on our parents bed and make doll clothes, using the mattress as a pin cushion, not realizing when we got up, the sewing needle would sink into the mattress and be lost until our parents went to bed and found it as soon as they layed down. As an adult, I made clothes and stuffed toys for my daughters. Sewing has always been an important part of my life.
My mother nor any family member I was around, whom I was aware of, ever quilted. When my great grandmother passed away, several quilts and quilt blocks were found in an old trunk. The blocks were given to me to do whatever with. I decided to divide them up to make 5 small quilts, one me my mother, sister, both my daughters and one for myself.. I was hooked! When I first layed eyes on a quilting machine, I knew someday, I would have to have one. My husband had meetings he had to attend in Nashville, TN last summer. In the same hotel was the APQS Quilting Expo. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I got to test drive about every quilting machine on the market, even took a class. I had no idea I would be lucky enough to get to have one. My husband surprised me by asking if I would like to have one and if I would rather have the computerized HandiQuilter. Knowing he has no concept of what these things can cost I told him he better ask the price before he agreed to buying me one. After inquiring about the price he said "well, I figure I am saving money in the longrun because you are going to want that too and I will have to pay more later". I became the proud owner of my HQsixteen with the Prostitcher. I am having so much fun. Last Christmas I gave 9 quilts away as gifts. Life is Good!

I own the following HQ machine: HQ Pro-Stitcher

I love quilting! It has become my every spare moment obsession!
My quilting story began in March 2007. My sister invited me to attend a three-day quilter’s retreat hosted by her local quilting shop. I immediately wanted to go, but I was no quilter. She assured me it would be so much fun and all I really needed to know was how to sew. We did have fun and at the end of the weekend I had a beautiful quilt. So began my quilting obsession!
I took the retreat quilt to a local long-arm quilter and she quilted it beautifully and quickly. Instant gratification! I started cutting and piecing and taking more and more completed projects to my quilter.

Winter 2008 I started thinking about how nice it would be to complete my own quilting projects from start to finish. I visited web sites and read everything I could find about long-arm quilting machines. My local quilt shop sold the Handi Quilters and had the HQ Sixteen on the floor to demo. I watched a demo. I watched them work on projects when I visited the shop. I saw their beautifully completed projects. No matter what I read, what long arm I saw demoed, I always came back to the HQ. I just liked it best and I liked the fact that my local shop owner would be there to guide through the learning process.
When I became very serious about purchasing a HQ, the ladies at the shop suggested I wait until the new Fusion was released so I could compare both before I made my decision. My birthday was in April and I was preparing to retire at the end of June. This was to be my birthday/retirement gift to myself. The anticipation was building!
Then at the end of April I had a small set back. I tripped at work and broke my small finger and injured my hand. My right hand! After further review I needed surgery and underwent surgery the first of May. I had my arm in a cast from my elbow to the tips of my fingers. Now what! What about my new HQ!
One of the first things I did after my surgery was visit the quilt shop and look at the new HQ Fusion. My desire to have the machine was still strong. So, being the determined country girl I am, I took a leap of faith and ordered the machine. I was determined to continue with my plans. I purchased the HQ Fusion. It arrived while my arm was still in the cast. My son carried the boxes downstairs and promised to return and assemble everything. I couldn’t wait. I started opening the boxes and sorting out the parts. By the time my son returned I had literally single handedly assembled the table. He helped me lift the table upright and installed my machine. And, all the rest is history!
So as I type my story today, I am challenged by my hand, but determined to move forward. My desire to own and use the HQ Fusion had outweighed any of the challenges. It has been the best physical therapy.
I love quilting! I love my new HQ Fusion! It has become my every spare moment obsession!

I own the following HQ machine: HQ Fusion