I started quilting 17 years ago and rapidly progressed from hand quilting to machine quilting to REALLY wanting to move to the next level with a longarm machine. Machine quilting on my sewing machine just left me sore and frustrated. I purchased my Handi-Quilter at Red Hen Fabrics in Marietta, Georgia, and aside from initial cold sweats over the investment, I have never looked back. It was a great purchase. Shannon Baker from Red Hen set up my machine and told me that it needed a name. “Rita” started out in my dining room and now lives proudly in the sewing room that my husband finished upstairs just for Rita and me. Shannon was incredible. She told me that she was included in the Handi-Quilter purchase and gave me her cell phone number with instructions to call anytime I needed her. I called her at home on Sunday afternoons more than once with questions, and she came to my house for updating the software. She instructed and encouraged me along the way. I love free motion quilting and the Handi-Quilter makes it so easy to put the quilting design to fabric.

Rita lives in my sewing room, but she is shared by my three best friends. Our idea of a perfect day is sewing and quilting and giggling the afternoon away. We have made charity quilts, challenge quilts, baby quilts, wedding quilts, holiday quilts, sympathy quilts, graduation quilts, and quilts that have no good reason except fun. Our skills have improved, we are definitely more productive, and because we complete more quilts, we are able to explore techniques and do projects that wouldn’t be accomplished without Rita. The quilts are a happy by-product of the real treasure. Our friendships have deepened during the hours spent with fabric, rotary cutters, sewing machines, and our girl, Rita the Handi-Quilter.

I own the following HQ machines:

In April of 2005, after hand quilting for others for 25 years, I happened into a local fabric store and spied an HQ16 midarm machine. I’d seen longarm quilting machines before and had decided that they were forever out of my reach. The first thing I did was ask the sales person “Can I drive that thing?” She chuckled and proceeded to walk me through the process. Two weeks later, I purchased that machine and in May of 2005, *da beast* came to live at our house. I was so excited about it and it did not disappoint my expectations. Finally, I could think about being able to finish all those quilts rolling around in my head, instead of it taking 60 hours to hand quilt a queen sized quilt! After about 3 months of daily practice, I started getting phone calls from friends, asking if I could quilt their quilts. This wasn’t a new idea to me because I’d been doing that for 25 years so I happily started quilting for others.

In May of 2006, I was introduced to MQS via the yahoo quilting groups and off we went. Handi Quilter had a reception for HQ16 owners and oh what fun that proved to be! Besides getting a chance to meet the creator of the HQ16, my husband and I had a chance to meet Mark Hyland, Amy and Greg! To top the evening off, I won one of the door prizes, which was an all expenses paid trip to Utah for a U of HQ session of my choice! Woohoo!! The Intermediate session in Utah with the Handi Quilter folks, introduced me to Suzanne Hyland, Vicki and Hattie. Everyone in the class had a great time and learned a lot! I will always be grateful for the opportunity Handi Quilter gave me to learn their machines from their educators. With all this fuel for my passion, I was ready and willing to go back and explore more people’s quilts and was quilting about 6 hours a day. Da Beast had no trouble keeping up with me.

In 2006, a friend honored me with her request that I design and execute the quilting for a piece that was going into the AQS Museum competition that year. I’m not normally much of a competitor but I loved the quilt and agreed to do it. It was one of the 12 Finalists and traveled with the AQS shows for a couple of years. It was published in the AQS book entitled Rose of Sharon New Quilts from an Old Favorite. The name of the quilt is Cracklin’ Rosie. I’ve also had the privilege of teaching and growing with a group of about 12 ladies (a good number of them also HQ16 owners) once a month, for the past year.

This past spring, during a trip to the quilt show in Rosemont, IL, I had an unexpected chance to see and *test drive* the HQ Fusion. Handi Quilter has totally outdone themselves with this machine! With special pricing available for the first few months of its debut, I set about instantly trying to find a way to have this machine come and play in my home. Because I knew first hand, both the people involved in Handi Quilter, and a great deal about their previous equipment and the quality of their customer service, I had no qualms about ordering this machine so soon after it hit the market. In May of this year, I took delivery on a new Fusion. What a treat it has been. Faster, stronger and smoother, it comes on its own beefier studio frame. I’m happy to report that *Big Brother* is doing quite well and I am enjoying the extra quilting space, the added strength, the steadiness of the new frame and the very fun feature of the ability to listen to audio books and movies on the touch screen. These are only a few of the features too numerous to mention and I’m enjoying every one of them!

With approximately 200 quilts done on Handi Quilter machines, I can (and do, as often as opportunity presents itself!) attest to their quality. The machine is well built, extremely well priced, very user friendly and just plain fun! Thank you Handi Quilter for your great products, your great customer service and now for a chance to tell my story!

I own the following HQ machines:

My name is Kay Francis and I live in Horse Shoe, NC. I first became acquainted with Handi Quilter by an advertisement in one of the quilt magazines in April of 2003. I went to a local quilt shop to find out about this machine and they knew nothing about it. I then located Handi Quilter on the internet and learned about the machine. I ordered my machine in May of 2003. At that time they were not ready for shipment as they were still in the hands of the testers. My machine arrived in either October or November of that year. When my machine came, there were no dealers east of the Mississippi River. When I had questions, I called the Utah office. Everyone was very helpful in helping me and answering my questions. My first projects on the machine were just samples to learn to use the Handi Quilter. Then I moved on to work on the UFO pile that I had accumulated. Every month when I went to guild I would take one or two quilts that had been started many years before (now completed) for Show and Tell. I also do a lot of charity quilt work. This year the two quilting groups at our church decided to send 80 quilts to an orphanage in Ethiopia. Between December 2008 and May 2009, I quilted 50 of those quilts. We eventually sent 106 quilts for those children. This year we are making quilts for an orphanage in NC and two other charities. It gives me great pleasure to be able to help with these projects.
Thank you to all of you at Handi Quilter for all the advice and help you have given me over the past 6 years.
Sincerely,
Kay Francis

I own the following HQ machines:

I am new to quilting...even new to sewing. I had an interest for years but with life, kids, work, etc. sewing was not my top priority. Six years ago I moved next door to a quilter. I was so excited, because now I had found someone who could help me to learn something I had always wanted to do. This new friend guided me in how to use all the "tools" of quilting, I took a few classes, and I even purchased a nice sewing machine. After reading information and seeing demos at quilt shows (and after having read "Help, I'm Married to a Quilter), I purchased an HQ16 because of the ease of use and the fact that it was designed by a quilter. It just seemed like a natural progression. I have had my HQ16 now for about a year and a half and am starting to get comfortable with it. I have spent lots of time piecing and after talking to so many people that told me to practice, practice, practice with the quilter, I have really started to "get serious" about putting in time on learning the HQ16. I have made many charity quilts and even quilted a couple quilts for myself! I feel like I have been able to fulfill a life-long desire. My quilting friend recently told me I am obsessed. She just might be right.....but what better obsession!!!

I own the following HQ machines:

While my husband and I were still dating, we wandered into a quilt shop, and both became quite fascinated with the quilts!
He bought a sewing machine (for him, not me!) and was going to quilt up a storm. He never did, but I eventually got brave enough to try.
When I'd completed my first top (a queen size no less) I pinned the entire sandwich together, with straight pins... attempted to stuff it under the throat of the sewing machine, and came away bleeding!
I didn't go for the correct pins, I went for the HQ16! I'd been chatting online with some longarm quilters, but didn't really have the space for a larger setup and decided to order an HQ16 on the portable pro frame.
I had a blast with my first HQ16, but after a year or so we decided to hit the road in our RV and full time for a few years, so I sold it.
Guess what I bought first thing when we purchased a new home? Another HQ16! I love my machine!

I own the following HQ machines:

I began quilting in mid 2005 and by the summer of 2007 had decided on the HQ Sixteen as the long arm of my dreams. I added the HQ Pro-Stitcher this spring, April, 2009 and now the quilts are flowing! The added ability of taking designs made by myself and moving those into the Pro-Stitcher to custom design quilts has opened a new world for me with quilting.

The designs that come with the Pro-stitcher are a great beginning to designing the pattern for your quilt. With the ability to use pantograms, groovy boards, or create your own design, the sky is the limit. My stack of finished tops is shrinking and becoming a group of finished products.

The education staff at the HQ organization has been wonderful to interact with in expanding the use of the tools that the HQ product offers. I think the opportunities that this machine has opened for me is great.

I own the following HQ machines:

I’ve always loved quilts but the only ones I owned were made by my friend Myrtle. She was a dear elderly lady that I adopted for my Grandma. She would come and stay with me and say “Hon, you need to make a quilt.” I would say “Mert, I don’t want to be a quilter.” I wasn’t interested in cutting all of those pieces by hand and doing all that hand quilting. In February 2000 I started a 6 week beginning quilt class as I wanted a log cabin quilt. Myrtle had passed away so decided that I could make 1 log cabin quilt and that was all I was going to make. In class I learned about rotary cutters and chain piecing to speed the process up. I quilted the queen size quilt with my home machine and was sure there had to be an easier way. I was at a quilt show and watched a demo on the first Handi Quilter frame. I purchased one and quilted several quilts on it but found I was limited on what I could do so was sending most of my big quilts out to be quilted. I then saw the HQ16 and in July 2005 I purchased my HQSixteen and the Pro Frame. I decided to quilt a few quilts for other people to help pay for it. I quilted 301 quilts on my HQ16 for myself and others. I felt that I was out growing it so when I learned about the Fusion coming out I sold my HQ Sixteen and ordered the HQ24 Fusion sight unseen.. I had such good luck with my HQ16 that I just knew the Fusion would be a great machine. While I was waiting for my Fusion to come I had access to my sisters HQ16 that she had purchased after I recommended it. I was able to enter a quilt in the HMQS show in May that I had quilted on my HQ16 for the local quilt shop owner. It was the 3rd place winner in the Art/Pictorial Category. My Fusion arrived the week following HMQS. My Fusion‘s name is Clymena (after my Grammy) and we are bonding very nicely. I have made 115 quilts since my beginning class. I guess for someone that wasn’t going to be a quilter I’ve really caught the bug. I have a quilting business and still find time to make some of my own. I have had 2 of my quilts published in magazines.
I quilted about 65 quilts on the first frame, 301 quilts on my HQ Sixteen and 27 so far on my Fusion. I am very pleased that Handi Quilter has been a big part in my quilting journey. I am loving my new Fusion and would recommend it to anyone . It is a great machine.

I own the following HQ machines:

Quilting is in my veins! I have been involved in quilting in one way or another for about 30 years. But my love of quilting goes all the way back to my childhood. I remember playing under the quilting frames in my mother’s family room, listening to the women chatter as they worked on a new quilt that their church group would present to the latest girl in the neighborhood to get married.

I started machine quilting on a regular sewing machine about 15 years ago, but always had to send the larger quilts to someone else to be quilted. It’s a happy coincidence that Laurel Barrus quilted two of my four children’s wedding quilts!

When my youngest child got married, I called Laurel to make an appointment to have her do the quilting on the new quilt for my daughter. I was crestfallen to hear that she was no longer taking in quilting jobs but had started a new business venture. Well, imagine my surprise when I opened up one of my favorite quilting magazines and saw Laurel’s picture alongside the Handi Quilter! That’s when I knew I had to have one.

I was living in California at the time and had started a small quilting company with my good friend Barbara. The international Quilt Market was being held in Salt Lake City that year and so we decided to go. And although it was a wonderful show, I kept returning to the Handi Quilter booth, going over and over the details of the machine I wanted. Finally, I took a deep breath, got out my checkbook, and bought one!!

I have had my Handi Quilter just over 2 years now and absolutely love it! I purchased the Handi Quilter for many reasons, one of which was its portability. I took it back to California, set it up in my garage, and got busy quilting. A few months later our family moved back to Utah and I set up my Handi Quilter in our bedroom – I can’t imagine why my husband wasn’t particularly fond of that arrangement.

Last fall we did some major remodeling to our home and added on two large rooms. We now have a larger family room upstairs and a beautiful quilt studio downstairs. The permanent, new home of my Handi Quilter is fondly referred to as “the Quilt Cave.” Though I still work as a consultant for a large high-tech company, I look forward to the day when I can quit my job and spend my days quilting—and helping others with their quilting projects.

Deb Child
Provo, UT

I own the following HQ machines:

My son & I went to the Lowell Quilt Festival this week. Shortly after arriving, we came upon the HQ booth. My 10 year old son was completely taken with the long arm machines and asked to try one. Of course, it has long been my dream to have a long arm but never dreamed my 10 year old would feel the same. He was off and running in short order, making borders and feathers and his own designs, repeating them all around the demo quilt, completely free hand and nearly perfectly. The HQ reps were amazed! People were stopping by to watch him quilt and he was totally immersed in his designs. I practically had to drag him away. He immediatley called his dad from the show. In between every sentence of telling him what he had done, he kept saying"and you need to buy it for mama"! He kept going back to the booth. After some discussion, I am no longer a dreamer but an owner! We left the show after purchasing a Fusion. I may have to fight for time to quilt - my son is completely hooked! I can't wait to get started!!!

I own the following HQ machines:

Eleven years ago, my stepson & his wife were expecting their first child, our first grand child. My thoughts immediately went to making a quilt for the new baby; every baby needs a quilt. I had been sewing all my life: garments & tailoring, window covering & other items, but never a quilt. So, I went to my neighborhood quilt store, found a pattern called “Nine bears in nine squares,” & purchased the pattern & fabric for this quilt. Since I’d never made a quilt, I did not know that I couldn’t do it; I just knew that I could sew about anything. This pattern was appliqué on blocks & very cute. I set out to make this quilt, meticulously following the directions for cutting & sewing. Then the directions became vague (in my opinion) to get the backing, batting & finalizing the quilt with the border and binding. The “pinning” parts of the instructions also were lacking. Since I’d never even talked to anyone about quilting, I assumed using straight pins was what was needed, so I pinned the sandwich & started my version of quilting. Needless to say, by the time I’d finished this darling baby quilt, I had to wash it several times to get out all my bloody spots I’d left behind. At the baby shower where the quilt was to be given, I met my stepson’s mother-in-law, Peggy, for the first time. As the gifts were opened Peggy’s gifts & my gift were opened last. Peggy’s gifts were opened & out came the most beautiful quilts I had ever seen, & they looked perfect to me. Then my quilt was opened, it was cute, but obviously not the high quality of Peggy’s. I knew then that I wanted to learn how to quilt, really quilt, the way Peggy quilted.

Eventually I made my daughter’s first baby a “9 bear quilt”, then a neighbor’s new grandbaby a “9 bear quilt”. I did get better, but I knew I needed more formal instructions, so I started taking beginner-quilting lessons at the local quilt shops. Then I took more classes & joined a very nice quilting group that Peggy introduced me to.
Now, many quilts later, I have improved my quilting skills (I no longer use straight pins), & I enjoy quilting very much. I also enjoy the camaraderie of my quilting friends & the shared techniques & ideas from these friends. Quilts made include table runners and wall hangings as gifts for family and friends as well as quilts donated to charitable causes such as the Adaptive Ski Program for auction and to the Quota Club for raffle in their fund raising activities.

Fast forward to three months ago. One of my quilting friends, Michele, & I went to the Fiber Arts Fiesta in Albuquerque, where we saw the Handi Quilter Fusion demonstrated by Ann Silva’s Bernina. Michele had some experience with the long-arm quilting machine owned by the New Mexico Quilters Association, & I had helped load quilts & observe. This demonstration & trial run was an eye opener. I have had to have large quilts quilted for me due to advancing arthritis in my hands, so this was quite a transformation to have a great stitch regulator as well as a smooth moving machine to quilt with. We looked at each other & said we’d LOVE to have something like this. We were impressed that the HQ is manufactured in the Salt Lake City, not in a foreign country. We were impressed that we have a trained service person in Albuquerque. We were impressed that the machine ran so smoothly & evenly. So, we sat down & talked about a partnership purchase, where the machine would reside, and all the questions we could think to ask each other about sharing this beautiful quilting machine. Ann Silva explained the introductory purchase price (& the deadline of this offer). We went to the shop to see the machine set up there, talked to shop personnel & other quilters in the shop. We consulted with our spouses & quilter friends. We agreed to purchase the Handi Quilter Fusion, & we agreed to put the machine in my home & to split the cost of everything right down the middle.

Having the machine set up by Steve Silva was fascinating. Michele & I went to our private new-owner lesson at the shop. We learned to load quilts, & we have made many, many practice quilts. We’ve practiced quilting techniques & designs. We found the learning curve to be HUGE, but practice, practice we do. We attend the monthly long- arm club meetings at Ann Silva’s Bernina, watch DVD’s & read everything we can find to help us learn more about using the Handi Quilter Fusion. (I am very hopeful to be chosen for the Handi Quilter Story Retreat so that I can observe & learn from this event.)

My niece was expecting her second child, so I made a new quilt top called Alphabuddies. After practicing the quilting with a groovy board (circles), I decided to quilt the newest baby quilt & deliver it in time for the baby’s arrival. Michele & I loaded the quilt, quilted the quilt & filled in between the circles with swirls & loops. The baby was delivered August 11, 2009, in Bowling Green, KY. I was there for the birth & gave this beautiful baby girl, Maia Marie, her new quilt.

Michele & I are still learning about long arm quilting, so we only have “practice” quilts to show our progress. These practice quilts are called “weatherization” quilts. Our local utility company winterizes homes for people who are elderly and/or disabled. A quilt made by local quilters is donated to each of these people. So our practice quilts will find happy owners.

I am reading everything I can about long-arm quilting techniques, taking classes & watching DVD’s & continuing to make weatherization quilts.

Thank you so much for everything you do for the home quilter.

Sincerely,
Margaret Emrick

I own the following HQ machines:

Most of my life I have loved to sew and quilt. It started when I was about 5 years old and my grandmother gave me a pin cushion with a needle in it and told me if I lost my needle I could not sew. This was shortly after WWII had ended.
I made doll clothes and later dresses for me and my younger sisters. We always saved the scraps and took them to Grandma and she made quilts with our scraps. She was a widow and lived by herself and always had a quilting frame hanging from the ceiling. I guess I got my love of quilting from my Grandma Kious.
I had made several quilts that I quilted by hand, but in 2000 my hand started cramping while I was holding the needle to quilt. I had watched some quilting shows on TV using the long-arm machine and told my husband that I would like to have one "some day". I told him that I probably would never do enough quilting to ever pay for one and he said that was OK. We bought a long arm machine that year and I did some quilting for others. After 8 years I decided I would like to have a machine with a stitch regulator.
My sister and I went on vacation to Tennessee in August 2008 and I purchased a Handi Quilter 16 while I was gone. I called my husband and told him what I had done.
He had moved his income tax and accounting office from our house to a downtown building in June 2008. I was going daily to help in his accounting office. Part of his office had a partition, behind which 2 desks occupied, and I was thinking that after tax season I would put my HQ 16 there. He did not like that idea, so he talked to the building owner about leasing a space in the back of the building for my quilting machine. By the time I got to work the next day he had it worked out so that I was in the front of the building, he was in the middle part, and the owner was in the back of the building. We have since bought the building.
I quilted 2 signs that says "Berry's Quilting" and hung in the front and side windows, my only advertising. I did not know so many people were in need of someone to do quilting for them. Before I get one done someone else is bringing in one, two and even 10 at a time to be quilted. Now if I could only get my husband to use the HQ16 I would be set.

I own the following HQ machines:

My sister, Marian and I rent the HQ Sixteen from our local quilt shop, Pappy's in Maryville, TN. We have been doing it for a couple of years now. We took a class from Pappy and then rent the machine whenever we have tops to quilt. It has been great fun.
In the beginning, we would just meander. Then we started using the groove board. We love the groove board especially the baptist fan pattern. We have used that pattern on a number of quilts including our Smoky Mountain quilt which was hung at the AQS show in Knoxville this July.
Now we have started trying our hand at free hand quilting using Pam Clarke's method of marking the quilt. This is a great way to add some variety to our quilting.
This year we have rented the machine at least once a month. We challenged ourselves to make one charity quilt and month and we use those quilts to broaden our longarm quilting skills. We were lucky and when the shop got the new fusion, we were the first renters allowed to us it!
Maybe one day, the lottery people will knock on our door and we can own our own HQ Sixteen. Until then we count our blessings that Pappy's lets us use theirs.

I own the following HQ machines:

In 1998, I was forced to quit work due to fibromyalgia and a severe sleep disorder. I was only 45. In 2002, I was finally granted disability (after having waited almost too long to apply) and thought my life was over. I was very depressed.

In 2003, I decided that it would hurt whether I worked or not, so I began making quilts for sale. However, I found that hand quilting was not something I could do. So, I started sending my quilts out to be machine quilted. By the time I would purchase my fabric and pay the longarmer, I had very little if any profit. So, after much prayer, planning, and research, I put together a business plan, got a loan from the bank and ordered my HQ16/ProStitcher/Studio Table in July of 2008.

I have now been in business for a little over one year and although my physical problems are still daunting at times, I am having a blast. I get to create beautiful quilts and machine quilt my customers' quilts all day long!

I have always been a very independent, workaholic type of person, so being on disability was shameful to me. But now, when I run into an old friend, I can honestly tell them that I work part time in my home! I feel useful again! And the best part of all is creating a thing of beauty and hearing my customers ooh and aah over their finished products.

Thank you, HQ.

I own the following HQ machines:

I bought my HQ Sixteen at the 2008 HMQS in Sandy, UT. I had been looking at them for a while and HQ had the best product for the best price, and it was just too good of a deal to pass up. Needless to say, my husband was less than thrilled with my purchase. He didn’t see the need for a $9,000 quilting machine, and then there was the problem of where we were going to put it because my current sewing room was NOT big enough, besides the fact that I had three small children and when was I going to find the time to quilt.
My mother, however, was in seventh heaven. As president of her local quilting guild she was ecstatic to have a long-arm quilter in the family. She was going through her fabric closet looking for some I could practice on before I even got the machine.
Things at home were tense between my husband and I, and one night before my HQ Sixteen had been delivered, during a game of pool I jokingly said, “Hey, I’ll play you for my quilting machine. I win, I keep it and you stop being a jerk about it. You win, and I will call and tell them I don’t want it anymore… not to deliver it.” With all seriousness he said, “OK.” I know he thought this would be an easy win for him, because he usually kicks my butt when we play.
Ladies, he never lost so fast! I had only two balls left on the table, he still had all of his and that is when he sunk the 8 ball… making me the instant winner! I started laughing so hard I was almost crying as he stood there with a shocked look on his face. I knew then it was just meant to be.
After that he begrudgingly helped me rearrange some rooms in the house so that I could have the biggest one for my sewing room, and my HQ Sixteen was delivered. We put a TV we had up in my sewing room to entertain the kids while I quilted. My mom brought me some fabric from her stash and a couple of quilts to start on, and as they say, the rest is history.
My mom has been super supportive, and my husband doesn’t complain when I am in the quilting room. He even came to me recently and asked me to make a quilt for someone he works with whose wife was having a baby.
My husband was right on one account it is hard with young children to find the time, and when I do have the time I usually have a couple extra helpers. For example, once while I was quilting my 2 year old gave me a hug and bumped me, she’s also unplugged my machine while I was in the middle of quilting. Another time my 5 year old decided she wanted to help me quilt and grabbed hold of the handles on the opposite side of the table and it took me a minute to figure out why my machine was suddenly so hard to maneuver. Needless to say, there is always a lot of excitement in my quilting room and as a result I am a master at unpicking and very good at “defensive quilting.” Unfortunately while I am in my quilting room my kids have free reign of the house which usually resembles a war zone when I decide to take a break

I own the following HQ machines:

I still feel that I am in a wonderful dream and will wake to reality. I have been quilting for many years but started a quilt ministry at a local children's home and began sending out twin size quilts to be quilted. I have donated (with the help of family and friends) twenty quilts to girls as they come and go at this home.
When I first saw the Handiquilter 16 at Suzanne's Quilt Shop several years ago, I began dreaming of buying one and saving for it at every opportunity. It was only until this last July and the Handiquilter sale going on, that I realized I might have enough money to make the dream become a reality. I made the call and within 10 days had a machine sitting in my sunroom. The machine was ready to roll on a Friday and unfortunately I started back to school on the next Monday. I really wanted to be home with that machine! I have practiced on four panels and plan to begin my first quilt this weekend. I think I'm ready!

I have far to go and much to learn but want to learn it all. I have had so much pleasure from quilting on this machine and it has only been practicing. Quilting has given me food for my soul. When I am sewing or quilting, life's problems fade in the background and God's love and blessings come to the top. What more could I want.

Well, actually, I think I might enjoy the Pro-Stitcher. I guess I will need to pull out the piggy bank again.

I own the following HQ machines:

I have been sewing for about 30 years and absolutely love to quilt. I tried hand quilting but couldn't do that because it took to much time. I was always taught to make do with what you have and not waste anything, so most of my quilts are from scraps. I have a really hard time buying yards of fabric and cutting them into small pieces to sew back together. It was simply a miracle that my husband found out about the HQ machines. He was in a car accident and was laid up at home for several months last year. He has always wanted to get me a quilting machine because I have so many tops that need quilted. He did the research on the internet and found out about a quilt shop in Maryville, Tn called Pappy's Quilting Place. We went and checked it out and fell in love with the Handi Quilters.
I now own the HQ sixteen and have quilted several of my quilts and a few for others. I make a lot of baby quilts for the young women at our church and around our area. I love being able to free motion quilt and put any design I choose on a quilt. It is so much fun and very relaxing to be able to create a quilt from start to finish and know that you did it all yourself.

I own the following HQ machines:

OK! I wrote my story out on paper and it seems way too long so let me summarize it here.
My wife and I were introduced to quilting 4-5 yrs ago by her mother. I have to say that it has been the most amazing experience of my life.
To begin, I immediately fell in love with piecing. I loved putting quilt tops together and seeing the fabric come to life right before my eyes.
This love for piecing was contrasted by the fact that I disliked quilting the finished top. Everything about quilting on the domestic machine drove me nuts. From rolling and folding the bulk of the quilt on my lap as I stitched, turning and readjusting the quilt for the next line of quilting only to repeat the entire process with every turn. I hated it. It was sucking the life out of me along with all the joy I felt for piecing.
My wife kept telling me to 'suck it up'. She told me my only other option was to spend $20,000 on a Long Arm. 'A WHAT?' I said. I still remember that day so clearly. She sat me down in front of the computer and showed me pictures of a Long Arm Quilting Machine.
I was amazed. The quilt was rolled on bars and the machine moved across the table on wheels the entire width of the quilt. AAAAWWWWWW!!!!!! The angels were singing. I M U S T H A V E O N E! So the research began...
It didn't take me long to realize that the initial investment in this machine could easily be earned back by doing other peoples quilts. Which would compliment our lifestyle perfectly as we we’re both already working from home which allows us lots of time with our 8 kids.
Now I needed to find the machine that was right for us. With a few clicks of the mouse and a number of hours of research I was convinced I had found the right machine. The cherry on the sundae was that HQ's Western Canadian Rep was 5 minutes from our house and the machine was only half the price I was expecting to pay. What are the chances. We drove over and took the HQ16 for a test drive. I was impressed to say the least.
Long story short, we bought our HQ16 in April, 2008. Practiced freehand quilting for four-six months on charity quilts supplied by our guild, bought every book we could find on the subject for design ideas and broadened our arsenal of skills with hours on end of practice. I slowly took over the quilting while my wife got back to piecing which now makes us the perfect match.
I was very fortunate to have attended two sets of classes from HQ educators at Central Sewing where we bought the machine and became a very confident quilter as a result. My HQ16 has given me such a thirst for knowledge that I flew down to New Hampshire in April 2009 for 5 days of classes with Pam Clarke, Debbi Trevino, Dawn Cavanaugh, Elaine Huffman, and my favorite of all Karen McTavish. I am now certified to teach ‘McTavishing’ and will teach my first classes at Central Sewing next month. I will also be teaching a three part class as An Introduction to the HQ16 and a class on running a long arm quilting business. Once again, all possible because of the HQ16.
I was determined right from the start to take my business global and have been very aggressive promoting myself online at http://manquilter.com. I have been very proud to display my work online for all to see and as a result have been given countless opportunities to test my skills. Before long I had a very long list of customers both local and long distance. I quilted Moda’s ‘Green Piece’ BOM introduced to stores at Spring Market. Another quilt I worked on for Lissa from UnitedNotions will appear in McCall’s Quilting Magazine this fall. My articles on Long Arm Quilting will appear in SewManyPlace’s Quiltposium.com online Magazine debuting September 1st. Another one of my articles will appear in Quilter’s Connection Magazine if I can ever find the time to write it. This is just a handfull of the amazing things that have happened to me as a result of owning an HQ16.
Thank you for allowing me to share my story! I would love to be invited to a special HQ My
Story Retreat in Salt Lake City

I own the following HQ machines:

I attended the 2007 Houston IQF specifically to “play” on the HQ Sixteen. I love the way the HQ Sixteen handles, she’s so easy to move on her carriage and tracks…and so smooth running…I just couldn’t stop singing her praises.
I lived with a photo of the HQ Sixteen under our computer keyboard for almost 2 years! I would sneak looks at that little ad knowing she was out of reach. How I lusted for this gal. She became an obsession! Husband finally had enough and said “if you wanted it, why didn’t you just buy it?” That sent me running to the internet for pricing. 
This past June, I unearthed over * 25 * quilt tops. I have no idea how many tops I’ve made since 2000, or how many I’ve paid to have quilted, but you know that commercial where the guy pops himself in the forehead and says, “Wow, I could’ve had a V-8”…well that’s how I felt!
Armed with information gathered at the Abilene (TX) Quilt Show (June 09), Husband and I watched the HQ videos. He was impressed!
After losing a bid on eBay, Husband said yet again “If you want the HQ Sixteen, get one.” Didn’t take me long to place an order! Two weeks later, “Maggie May” and her portable frame came into our lives! Husband and I set her up over the next 2 evenings. I free motioned my way through that first quilt, and haven’t looked back! Husband was amazed at how quickly that first quilt was done, and of course, he told me it looked great. Gotta love this man!!!
Being a “quilting from the front, free motion kind of gal”, “Maggie May” has me creating loops, swirls, curls and free motion rippling water…shes’ followed me through primitive designs, leaves and feathers…there is so much more I would love to learn! I love quilting on my HQ Sixteen!
The added bonus, Husband is becoming interested in the pantographs and laser system  This could work!!!

I own the following HQ machines:

I had been eyeing an HQ machine for a long time. I would drag my poor husband to every long arm show held at the expo center, so that I could dream. I always told him the someday I wanted one, so that my quilts could be mine from start to finish. Well that is where the story begins. A while after the show, my husband started acting wierd and I kept catching him in some lies. I couldn't figure out what the deal was, I was getting frustrated, and asked him if he had a girlfriend. He about died, and told me he was trying to take care of some buisness. One day he sent me off to do my errands, he wanted to know where all I was going, how long I would be, and what time I planned on being home. This is not like my husband at all, so I thought it was strange, but blew it off, and went about my errands. When I got home there was a large blue van in my driveway. And when I went inside, my husband was standing at the door, with a sly smile on his face, and told me to go meet his "girlfriend." I had a million thoughts running through my head. And when I went into the back room, one of my good friends was back there with her boss, setting up MY HQ. I about died. They all quickly started to tell me the whole story, of all the hoops they had to jump through to keep it a secret, and make everything work. My husband told me to stop being so paranoid and nosy, so he could try to surprise me without being accused of such crazy things as a girlfriend. Needless to say he now refers to the HQ as my "boyfriend" because I am always spending my spare time with it, trying new things. I have loved my HQ and have had so much fun trying, and learning new techniques. And even though my husband says I am in the back room too much, him and my son have enjoyed all of the fun quilts I have made for them. And my son has enjoyed playing cars and trains, under the table while I quilt away.

I own the following HQ machines:

My name is Whitney and I work in the Handi Quilter Customer Relations Department! I love it! I get to hear HQ Stories every day on the phone! I started at Handi Quilter on September 15, 2008. And I think I became "a quilter" September 16, 2008! I really just fell in love with it all! The fabrics, the HQ Sixteen, the Pro-Stitcher, the patterns, the fat quarters, you name it! I LOVE IT! I am going to nursing school and working full time and quilting EVERY weekend and moment that I can squeeze it in! In fact, I am even quilting for hire. I have my machine set up in my mother-in-law's basement, so guess what I named my business? Go to my website to find out! http://mymotherinlawsbasement.blogspot.com. I absolutely love my machine! He even has a name: Henry Quinton (HQ), clever, I know.. :) Even though I will not work at Handi Quilter for the rest of my professional career, will be a quilter on the HQ Sixteen for the rest of my life! Thanks HQ!

I own the following HQ machines:

In 2004, I went to the Quilter's Heritage quilt show in Lancaster, PA, and was mesmerized by a competitor’s longarm machine. I came home considering selling my car to pay for it! Then I came to my senses and decided waiting at the bus stop in a foot of snow in NY wasn’t worth a longarm machine.
My online quilting group, the Underground Playground, has been meeting once a year for 10 years. In October 2005, we met in NY and visited the Quilt Basket in Wappingers Falls. While the rest of the group shopped, our usual activity upon entering a quilt shop, I became entranced by the HQ16. Allan Anderson answered my questions patiently, even going so far as to show me how the quilt gets pinned to the leaders. I LOVED this machine. My group finally forced me out of the shop so we could visit the next one, but I couldn’t forget the feeling of quilting on that machine. And the Quilt Basket made sure I didn’t forget. After a few weeks, when the shop sample was removed from the frame, they mailed me the portion I quilted! That stayed pinned on my sewing room wall for a while, calling my name (well, I did write my name on it!). When my birthday rolled around in March, I decided I had suffered long enough and gave myself a present—a brand new HQ16 and the QuilTABLE. AND I didn’t even have to sell my car to pay for it!
I requested the day off from work when I was notified it would be arriving. The UPS driver from my job is the same one for my home and when he saw the name, he drove around with it all day making sure I’d be home from work when he arrived! How could I be mad at him when he finally showed up at 7 pm? Oh sure, it’s funny now, but it wasn’t funny when I was anxiously staring out the window waiting for it!
I assembled the table and loaded that machine on there myself. As you can tell from my photo, it’s not like I’m 18 and in great shape! But nothing was going to stop me from quilting on my new machine.
After practicing different designs feverishly on 5 yards of muslin for a few weeks, I began taking my finished quilts into my local shop, Pieceful Quilting, showing off what I’d quilted on my HQ16. The staff told me that a couple longarm quilters for hire had moved away recently and that customers were always asking for someone to quilt their tops. I started by quilting shop samples and gradually took on a few customers with small quilts as my courage and confidence grew. Now I have a waiting list. I still have a full time day job, but quilting for others gives me some extra income and the chance to see some gorgeous quilts.
After hearing me rave about my machine, two members of my online group now own the HQ16. Recently I test drove the HQ Fusion being demonstrated by the Quilt Basket at the Eastern Long Island Quilters Guild annual quilt show. I think the piece I quilted might show up in the mail one day soon . . . . .

I own the following HQ machines:

When I was growing up the fourth seat at our dining table was my mother's quilt frame so I am not a stranger to quilting. Or to sewing, as our five daughters (and three sons) were growing up I had the assignment of making slacks and tops for them to wear to school. After they were grown and we came to Texas my wife was reintroduced to quilting while working for the 1980 Census. I watched her for a few years then it became an "anything she can do, I can do" challenge. I soon learned to LOVE piecing and HATE quilting! The tops piled up but not the quilts. When she retired from teaching about ten years ago we took the leap and bought a full fledged longarm machine....going to make some money and get our quilts finished. She soon found that it was too stressful to quilt for others so it became "our" machine. My tops would get finished "as soon as", etc. etc. Finally in self defense I purchased a larger DSM and an early design computer quilting product. Still didn't get much finished. Then a few years ago, after watching them work at our local show, I bought an HQ16 with PPF. Made my table and was ready to go. EXCEPT...I found that I did not have the eye, hand, brain coordination to do acceptable free motion, except for stippling. Also did fairly well with pantographs. Then came the ProStitcher! As a computer nerd and a semi-skilled quilter it was the answer for me. Now I do baby quilts for each of the two guilds I belong to, Storybook Quilts for one of them, Wedding quilts, Baby quilts, Christmas gifts, etc. for our 12 grand children and 10 great grandchildren.....and sometime I even get to do a quilt for my self! Oh, as for those daughters I sewed for four of them (we lost one to breast cancer) and a granddaughter are now quilters and all seven of us participate in a yearly challenge project of some kind. Since retiring I don't golf....we don't travel....I just HQ16!!!

I own the following HQ machines:

Piecing, piecing, piecing…In the early 1990’s I became fascinated with making quilt tops: table toppers, runners, wall hangings, throws, and bed quilts of all sizes. The result of my passion for piecing was a stack of unfinished tops!!
I tried various methods to finish my projects---hand quilting, machine quilting with my domestic machine, and even some knot tying. Finally, I sent some projects to be completed by someone with a quilting machine.
The idea of making a quilt from start to finish sounded exciting to me…and with that idea in mind, I purchased a mid-arm quilting machine from a local dealer in 2004. This was used occasionally for several years…and then I became more aware of limited support from the manufacturer when I thought about adding features to this basic machine.
When the local dealer began to carry the Handiquilter, I realized how much more the HQ Sixteen had to offer. So I made the switch!!! Using this machine has helped me advance my skills. The stitch regulator helps me have better control with free motion. I love it!! It is fun to experiment and improve my skills using the laser light, the stylus, and the variety of programmed designs available with the Pro-Stitcher.
Customer support is excellent! The local dealer is very knowledgeable with the HQ products. From setting up the machine and basic instruction in my home to answering questions on the phone anytime, I have found the quilt shop to be a valuable resource. I also find it very easy to make a call to the HQ studio when I have a question. They are extremely helpful on the phone and make you feel very comfortable. A simple log in to the HQ website is worthwhile. Lots of tips are available and helpful. There are videos made by the HQ educators that take you through step by step instruction using a variety of quilting techniques.
I thoroughly enjoyed an added bonus when I was a participant in a beginner and an intermediate class this summer at the HQ studio in Salt Lake City. I spent 5 days in a class of 15 students and 4 teachers. It was a great experience for me!
I am so pleased with the HQ Sixteen. It has been the best purchase! By using this machine, I can now say that I am finishing those tops!! My piecing passion now includes finished quilts….thanks to HQ.

I own the following HQ machines:

I have been sewing for about 60 years, and quilting off and on for about 40. During those 40 years I have been married to my husband, Alan, and have traveled around the world with the Air Force. My first quilt was mad in Turkey, with scraps of fabric. My second big one in Germany, and so on. Years later we had retired, and gone back to work, when he received a great opportunity to run a frontier Indian hospital in the northern Nevada tier. We moved to a very isolated area and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. I was asked to teach some sewing classes, and the ladies all wanted to learn quilting, so I started a sewing group. We made a lot of children's quilt tops. When the time came to quilt them in a group, not very many people wanted to do it, and I didn't have the energy to do them all on my home machine;, though in times past, I have done many that way. Soon our second son out of four announced he was getting married (and would need a king sized wedding quilt), and I knew it wasn't the last wedding quilt to be made. After research, I made the leap, ordered an HQ 16, and promptly turned a bedroom into a quilting room. I started by quilting 23 children's quilts in time for a project Linus meeting and then a queen sized quilt for a Doctor who was moving from the reservation. By the time I got to my son's quilt I had plenty of experience. I have moved twice since then, and continued quilting for many of the Indian ladies, and others throughout Alaska, Idaho, Utah, and California. Now, I have a two car garage, made over into a quilt room, and have just been elected the President of the local quilting guild of about 200 women. I continue to quilt for others and for myself, and love my HQ 16. I had often thought that naming a machine was silly, but have found myself referring to my HQ 16 as a friend, and have just about decided on a name. We now live in a town known in southern California for the second largest collection of power generating wind turbines and in their honor, I will be calling my friend Wendy. Wendy and I have about twelve quilt tops waiting to be worked on in the near future and then on to the Christmas projects!! I do so enjoy quilting and all the friends I make as I participate in the many quilting opportunities.

I own the following HQ machines:

I have been quilting since my oldest child was a baby. I wanted to create a memory for my children that would last a lifetime and something that only a Mom could give her children.That is when I began to quilt. I now have three sons and throughout the years have quilted many gifts.
My mom, who recently past away was awesome, one who worked hard to follow her dreams and instilled the same work ethic into all five of her own children. When my father left she was a full time mom. I was 12 years old at that time, with the oldest in the family 16 and the youngest 8, she decided to go back to school and get her degree and Masters in teaching. She worked hard toward this goal, teaching during the day and then driving an hour to attend her classes. She became a wonderful teacher whose passion was the students she taught.
Moms give their children many things and what my mom gave me was the determination to work for your dreams, toward your passion and love the time you have. She was able to pass on a small inheritance to each of her 5 children. I was able to purchase the HQ fusion.
I hope to be able to accomplish what she gave to me; a desire to dream and the passion to work for that dream.

I own the following HQ machines:

My HQ
Flo Fusion arrived in this Springfield MA home in June. Even though Flo is always ready to run at high speeds, she never leaves her 3rd floor room. Obedient, if a little loopy at times, she doesn't know the meaning of the word pantograph, preferring a dizzier lifestyle as she is led from the front in free hand circles, waves, loops and curves. Her operator has been interested in ‘line’ all her life from ice skating blades that carved figures in the ice to the motion of a calligraphic pen making swirls and flourishes on paper. Since first seeing a 1996 free motion quilting demo, she has wanted to welcome a long-arm tenant to the premises.
When escorted to Flo's room, non-quilting friends are shocked by her size and impressed by her speed. Quilting friends love the way she sandwiches those layers together, and also like the neat, tidy backs & dash; no tucks! Her operator has learned a lot in a short time but hopes to learn much more.
It's a very happy union, well-supervised by a sweet little four-year-old Westie and well-supported by a team of three HQ fanatics at Sew Inspired Quilt Shop in Simsbury, Ct., all HQ owners.

I own the following HQ machines:

I have been sewing most of my life, but making quilts seriously began after losing my oldest son in December of 2003.As the quilt tops piled up,I was having to pay someone to machine quilt them.My husband bought my HQ 16 for Christmas 2005.(In self-defense,I do believe.) I was afraid of my machine at first but now we are good friends.I am a self taught quilter.Freehand patterns are my favorite.I would love to attend some classes and I would recommend that anyone purchasing a machine to get some personal instructions with the machine.

I own the following HQ machines:

I love quilting and everything about it! I bought my Fusion in July and love it. I went to Innovations in Tacoma 2 years ago and have been processing for quite awhile about purchasing a long arm machine. Back in 2001 I worked for a quilt store in Bellevue WA that had one of the original HandiQuilter's system and so I have watched the progression of the company for many years.

So I made a decision I was going to research all the different long arm machines on the web first and then test drive. In my research I kept coming back to the HandiQuilter company. I went to Bayside Quilt Store in Olympia WA in May to test drive the HQ 16 again and saw the Fusion. It was love at first sight!! I love how it quilts, love the new wheels and the quilting space it provides! I made the big decision to purchase before the 4th of July weekend and placed my order. But then panic set in had I done the right thing, was it too much money, would I be able to quilt with as much skill as I wanted to??? I process and process as my husband will tell you! Over the 4th of July weekend we talked and talked and I processed some more. But I made the decision to keep the order and that is why my Fusion is named Indie!

Of course I had to have room for her so we set about taking two bedrooms and removing closets to make a quilt studio. In the background of the picture you see a bit of the remodeling going on but we got the main rooms finished and flooring in to have Ernie from Bayside set Indie up in her space.

The first quilt I quilted on Indie was a quilt for my husband's mother that is in a nursing home in Idaho. My husband gave it to her the weekend I was at Quilting Boot Camp at Bayside Quilt Store . She was so delighted to receive her quilt. Without Indie I would not have been able to finish it as quickly as I needed to. I know she and I have many more adventures ahead!
Laura

I own the following HQ machines:

My wonderful HQ16 and I are a successful partnership. I tried several different brands and asked questions of many quilters. I never hear a single person say they were sorry they chose the HQ16.
I am mainly a charity quilter for our local Hospice and Quilts Of Valor. I am a prolific quilter and can do tops quite fast. Then I became bogged down in the quilting process. It took over 2 hours just to do the pinning. Next I had to wrestle a big quilt through the arm of my sewing machine. My shoulders would ache with this effort. I can load the top and have it finished in about 2 hours. This is a quilt about the size of a twin bed.
I do free motion from the front of the machine and have just the best time. It moves easily and I feel like I am painting with thread. I just finished stippling a quilt that I will use as a sample for a local Quilt Class I teach through our County. It is beautiful and may bring me into the process of quilting for others for pay. I hope to be able to do this soon to help pay for all the charity quilting and fabric buying.
My quilts have traveled to Iraq and Germany to comfort the wounded military. I am now entering into an program with a Major’s wife. I am going to be sending quilts to the families of those killed in action. We all know how much comfort a quilt can be and I want to wrap the families in love and let them know we are a grateful nation.
And here is why I love this machine-------------
Dear Eileen,
I am writing to express my gratitude to you and your friend, Betty , for the beautiful, patriotic quilt you sent to the 332 EMDG (Expeditionary Medical Group) in Iraq. I want you to know how much those quilts mean to us. Yesterday evening six of our Nation's very finest soldiers were flown in by chopper after a suicide bomber attacked their foot patrol.
I cared for one of those young men last night. (I'll call him Sgt C.). Sgt C is a young American soldier from Utah with a wife and two small children at home. He is one of the lucky ones. His burns and bruises will heal. His ruptured eardrum will heal. Yesterday he earned his second Purple Heart.
As is customary, the Chaplain or his assistant bring the injured troops a quilt and we cover them with it, either in the ER or on the ward. If they are alert we read them the cards from wonderful Americans like you and tell them that someone from home made that quilt for them. We save them for very special days, like yesterday; for an occasion when a touch of kindness and love from home is exactly what is needed.
As I write these words my eyes fill with tears. I have watched many young soldiers receive their quilts of valor and I want you to know that it touches them deeply. It touches all of us deeply.
I couldn't read your card out loud to Sgt C because I was crying as I read it. Trying to hold back tears, I held it for him and he read it himself. I can tell you that a strong soldier fought valiantly to hold back his own tears. I don't know if he will ever write to thank you, though he says he plans to, but I wanted you to know how much your kindness means to these young troops, and to those of us who care for them.
This is no exaggeration…everyone who passed by Sgt C's litter last night commented on how beautiful your quilt was. It was truly one of the most beautiful quilts we've seen.

I firmly believe that the Lord puts us where he needs us. Right now I am needed in Iraq, caring for those in harms way. I was placed with Sgt C last night to tend his wounds and was blessed to read your message and admire your quilt with him.
Of all the quilts that were given last night I was especially touched by yours. You see, I have left behind a husband and four beautiful children in Damascus, MD. As I read the inscription on your quilt I was even more moved by the fact that it was from one of my Maryland neighbors. I told Sgt C that I was planning to write to you and when I return I hope that we can meet for tea and chat. I will share my pictures of Sgt C and his quilt, adorned with his Purple Heart.
Thank you, again, for your kindness and patriotism. I guarantee you truly touched the lives of many last night….through one beautiful quilt of valor. I know that Sgt C is anxious to return home and show that quilt to his family. It will always serve as a reminder to him of his victory last night and of the love we share as Americans. God bless you and God bless America!
Sincerely,
Major S
USAF

I own the following HQ machines:

A few years back, I was having a small bout with tendonitis due to crocheting to much. At the Project Linus group I belong to one of the ladies said, why don't you quilt blankets instead. So that is how I began being a "quilter in training".

A few of the ladies in the group who quilted became my mentors and guided me through the basics. I am gratful to them for helping me become a quilter.

I have been surprised at the willingness of people to help me with quilting. Even strangers that you meet at quilt shows or quilt shops, taking the time to answer any question you may have. That just amazes me the amount of help people are willing to give to someone they don't even know. I am glad that I am now part of the quilting world.

I have the HQ16. I haven't had it but 6 months yet and I learn something new about it every time I use it. I am looking forward to this next step in quilting.

I have been a teacher for 28 years and I have to say that I like being the student. I enjoy learning more about quilting every chance I get. I still think of myself as a "quilter in training", because you can always learn something new.

I own the following HQ machines:

I have been quilting for over thirty years. I hadn’t realized it had been that long until someone asked. How time flies. I started out quilting by hand and my husband made me a beautiful red oak quilting frame. But it was taking to long to get quilts finished so I finally broke down and started quilting on my domestic sewing machine.
Talk about frustration!! I did manage to quilt king size quilts on my machine. Again, frustration.
I started going to shows and looking at quilting machines. I knew I wanted one with a computer and at the time that meant Statler, IntelliQuilter or CompuQuilter. Looking at just quilting machines, I couldn’t make up my mind as to which one I wanted. They all had good points and bad. The machines were also so big and industrial looking and there was no way I could fit one into my very nice quilting room. So I gave up. Decided I would continue fighting on my domestic machine. Of course that lasted until the next quilt I tried to quilt.
Then lo and behold, Handi Quilter came out with Pro-Stitcher. I took my husband to our local dealer for a demo. He was impressed with the machine. Engineers look at things differently than quilters and the HQ Sixteen passed the husband test. I loved the fact that you only have to oil the bobbin case. Compared to the others that have multiple oiling spots that you need to oil every couple of weeks. But I still had a space problem. No matter how I tried to lay out my quilting room, I couldn’t get everything into the room.
My husband also had a playroom. His room had a HO train layout set up in it. Well, one day I came home from work and he had dismantled his layout and started moving my quilting room into his HO room. He put in cabinets for my stash and built the table that my sewing machine sets on. He built laminated countertops for the cabinets too.
What happened to my old quilting room? Well we moved the exercise equipment into it from one of the spare bedrooms and that bedroom turned into his Photo studio. He lost a layout but gained a studio.
Now you would think that would be the end of the story, but no. In May, I went to Handi Quilter retreat. I had no intention of buying a Fusion (at this time) but I did.
My husband drove to Utah for the weekend and he took a tour of Handi Quilter. He was very impressed with the Fusion and said “You are going to get it eventually; you might as well do it now.” So, I did.
I came home and sold my HQ16 w/ Pro-Stitcher to the first person I asked if she was interested. The Fusion arrived and my husband had it setup within two days. I put some muslin on the machine to practice and after just fifteen minutes I went upstairs and told him, “This is a SWEET machine!” His comment…. I have never heard you use that description in 35 years.
Yes, I love my Fusion. And yes, when the Pro-Stitcher is ready for the Fusion, I will buy one.

I own the following HQ machines:

I used to be a hand quilter, now, thanks to my HQ16, I'm a quilt finisher! After working for 6 months for an HQ dealer, my husband, "are you ever going to use your (insert unnamed competitior) again?" I only wanted to quilt on an HQ16 ... love it, love it, love it. Then he said, "just buy one!" So I did. Along came the ProStitcher. Never thought I would need/use it. I love free-motion quilting on my HQ16. I tried the PS in the shop a few times, and my husband said, "just buy it!" So I did ... love it, love it, love it. I've quilted lots of my own tops, dozens of Quilts of Valor (wounded soldiers program) and customer quilts. In fact, I've quilted 268 items in the last 18 months. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE my HQ16? And my husband too!

I own the following HQ machines:

I started quilting in 1990. At that time things were pretty much hand quilted. I worked full time so I was not able to get very many tops finished but liked the process. I then started quilting on my home machine but was frustrated with the handling of the bigger quilts. Then in early 2000 I got a HQ frame and used a domestic machine. I progressed from there to a robotic machine. I had always marveled at how beautiful some of the longarm quilts were but always felt I could never afford those big machines. Finally in 2005 I took the plunge and got my HQ16. Since then I have added the stitch regulator and computerization.

I have made many Project Linus quilts, baby quilts, lap quilts and full size quilts for charities and friends. I now have the choice of doing meandering, all over quilting, custom or computerized quilting. I really enjoy the quilting experience now. I have more than paid for my machine compared to what it would have cost me to hire the quilting done locally.

I am now part of a small group of ladies in the center of the state that meet quarterly to share what they have learned about their handiquilter. It is a great way to see what others have done as well as learn and teach new things.

I have found the Handi-Quilter a great way to make friends, sew beautiful quilts, and get my tops done at a reasonable price. My latest is a wall hanging all over design on silk.

I love my HQ16 and will not part with it. I have even named her Gretchen (after a friend of mine). My HQ is my friend.

I own the following HQ machines:

Quilting has been my passion for over 50 years! (My first quilt was carefully pieced using old clothing at my grandmother's treadle at age 8. (See pix) I still have the quilt and hope my piecing has improved.
As my family grew up, I continued making and learning on my own--generally memory type quilts. One day a girlfriend introduced me to the joys of longarming by asking me to come with her to a quilt shop and quilt with her. Wow--suddenly I had found my new love and bought every book, read every article, and visited every quilt shop available. She and I would drive miles away to a small shop in Ephrata, WA to longarm together on their two machines.
Then in about 2000 I was hurt in an accident and began my series of knee surgeries etc. ending up with double knee replacement three years ago. I had been soooo depressed about my quilting because I could no longer endure standing for long periods to long arm nor could I keep my quilt on a machine in a shop for several days to finish it a little at a time. While at Sew Expo in Puyallup in 2005, I got my first glimpse of the HQ Sixteen and immediately fell in love. Not only was it easy to use--it was affordable and the answer to my dilemna. Just days before my actual double knee replacement (both done at once!) it arrived and they set it up in my home. It was the constantly visible "golden carrot" that brightened my long days of recovery and encouraged my physical therapy etc. I continue to longarm and enjoy my machine working on my quilts as my knees allow. Halleluja I may no longer be able to run and jump….but I sure can still longarm!

I own the following HQ machines:

My story begins close to the time Handi Quilter was born. I had a couple of quilts quilted by a local long-arm quilter in the mid to late ‘90s and was intrigued. I knew I’d enjoy that “new quilting dance”. I loved sit-down quilting, but hated to wrestle more than a block or two under my machine. I would try any new-fangled scheme that came along in an attempt to win the quilt-wrestling match. I told my husband that what I wanted was some way to move my home sewing machine around on a track system.
Shortly thereafter, at the local quilt shop, I heard talk of a new product on the market, that would do just that. Immediately I began my all-consuming quest to find this new product and get one into my home. My original Handi Quilter was delivered in the summer of 2001, along with a new larger-throat straight stitch machine. I set it up myself and straight away quilted a baby quilt by following a quilting stencil as a pantograph pattern, sliding it along the table. Although the original Handi Quilter was a dream come true; my quilting soon outgrew it.
My very supportive, creative, engineer husband was enlisted as my go-to guy in my attempts to improve upon and enlarge my quilting system. Very supportive indeed for I telephoned him from a quilt retreat several states away almost exactly one year after the HQ Sixteen was first released and said I think I need to order the HQ Sixteen machine now. No questions asked he simply said, if that’s what you want, go ahead. My “quilting-dance” became so much more fun and free with all that extra space.
Before HQ Sixteen, I had become well acquainted with and somewhat adept at the use of a robotic quilter. I particularly enjoy combining the accuracy of the computer with my own free-hand quilting. There were frustrating moments of precarious struggle to move my precious HQ Sixteen between carriage and robotic quilter. Supportive, creative, engineer husband fashioned a fabulous machine lift from a garden hoe, but that is a completely different story!
At Machine Quilters Exposition in 2008, I visited the Handi Quilter booth several times and decided that Pro-Stitcher would end the struggle and frustration and would accomplish all that I wanted from a robotic quilter. I made the leap and purchased Pro-Stitcher to add to my dearly beloved HQ Sixteen. Friendly support from the people at HandiQuilter has enhanced the experience and quilting has become a completely stress-free creative expression.
While I enjoy quilting for myself and will quilt for others upon occasion, I am lucky enough to be able to quilt as a hobby. I have found the greatest reward in volunteer work for the Quilts of Valor Foundation. To express heartfelt gratitude, through my handwork, to the men and women who give up so much to protect our freedom, is an honor.

I own the following HQ machines:

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 machines:

I’m the kind of person who doesn’t like to say that someone else worked on my quilts. I have to do it all myself. Quilting on my DSM gave me a “cramped” feeling. I took a couple of classes in quilting on a DSM, but it didn’t help. I also rented time at a longarm sewing studio, but that didn’t satisfy me either. Then….I got the “bug”. I wanted a longarm machine, but in reality, a midarm would be the perfect fit…not only size, but price. Many hours of investigation and a visit to every booth selling longarm and midarm machines at an International Quilt Festival in Rosemont, IL and I knew it was going to be an HQ16. The Sewing Expo was about to take place that fall in Rosemont, so I trekked down to the show, with one purpose in mind. To buy my HQ16. The vendor was just inside the entrance…prime location! The booth was hopping with interested people, all trying out the HQ16, so I scooped the loop and checked out the other booths, and machines..one more time. Nothing much interested me…I wanted my HQ16! I finally had my opportunity to play with the HQ16 floor model. As soon as I started sewing, my mind went into a quilter’s transe…birds sang, flowers sprung up through the carpeting and the sun shone through the ceiling! Everyone around me disappeared and I was in my own world. A wonderful place indeed! Quilter’s Heaven! Needless to say, my order was placed and my machine arrived about 6 weeks later.
My machine was one of the first models, without stitch regulators. It has taken me some time to find my speed (52, thank you) and although I would love the stitch regulator, I have managed to create an even stitch without one.
Baby (that’s her name) sits proudly in my quilting studio, which is directly off my dining room. She’s so pretty, I don’t mind her being seen by dinner guests. In fact, it very often starts a conversation about her. My quilting has been slow, but steady. I work full-time and am away from home 11 hours each workday, so my quilting time is either on the weekend or sometimes I take a vacation day just to quilt a special project. I’ve made many baby quilts and my grandson has already received 5 quilts in his 5 years! His next one will be a guitar quilt for his big-boy bed. Most of my quilts are wall/art or lap quilts. At this point in time I only have room for a 6’ table to hold Baby and the portable professional frame, so I am limited as to the size of quilt I can load. I love the free-motion side of quilting and prefer the front of the machine to the back/panto-type of quilting. At times I use Golden Threads’ yellow tissue to mark my designs, pin them in place and quilt through them or I use an eraseable pen to mark my designs. My latest quilt is a Kaleidescope quilt made by using Ricky Tims’ method of construction. I have submitted it for possible inclusion in his new Kool Kaleidescope Quilt book.
What does the future hold for me? Hopefully, a room addition and a Fusion with a Studio Frame or a QuilTable, if I have anything to say about it!
Happy Quilting!
Sue

I own the following HQ machines:

I am lucky enough to have a quilt store close enough where I could rent time on an HQ 16, one lesson gave me the confidence to take a quilt in to finish on my own. My husband was so impressed with what I could accomplish in such a short time that we are ordering one of my very own! It was great to get to take a test drive before making such a large purchase. I can't wait to share this with all the quilters I know!

I own the following HQ machines:

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 machines:

Three years ago, my husband shocked me by buying me a HQ Sixteen for christmas. It was a total surprise as I had just bought a quilting frame on ebay. I did not get to pick up my HQ Sixteen until the middle of January. The first quilt that I put on the machine was there for over a month, I was afraid to try it. Once I got going, I have had a blast. I have done a few quilts for other people, but mainly I have just done the quilts that I have made for gifts. My goal is to give every family member a quilt for christmas. I better get busy.

I own the following HQ machines:

I started quilting in the late 70’s. At least I tried to! I signed up for a Parks & Rec class, but it was never held – I was the only one who signed up. Since this had to mean that no one else in Phoenix was interested in quilting, I struck out on my own. Luckily, I didn’t know about the Quilt Police, because I think I broke every rule ever written! And for the next 15 years, college, marriage and kids meant my quilting journey was often more focused on fabric acquisition than quilt-making.
When I moved to Nebraska, I had time to make quilts, and soon tried free-motion quilting (FMQ). My otherwise reliable 17-year-old Kenmore couldn’t handle the tension adjustments necessary for FMQ. I traded up to a new machine and realized that I had found a new obsession in FMQ. I love to quilt, especially free-motion quilting! I started a business, DellaJane Hand Dyes (www.dellajane.com). My quilting time decreased as my traveling-to-show-time increased. I got tops made, but not many got quilted.
One day, my friend Becky & I made a trip to Fremont, Nebraska, to Country Traditions Quilt Shop. She played around with their HandiQuilter and loved it. I didn’t even want to try it out – I knew I didn’t have time to use one or space to put it in. But I encouraged Becky to buy one. I had ulterior motives – I thought I might be able to use hers once in a while! We decided to take a Test Drive class. I went along to encourage her to buy one. I was sure the hands-on time would be exactly what she needed to push her past the “do I really want/need one” hurdle. Except that it backfired! Three hours later, I wanted a HandiQuilter. I REALLY wanted a HandiQuilter! I NEEDED one!
Space was a serious issue, so I made a to-scale drawing of my sewing room. I put the HandiQuilter into my paper room and arranged and re-arranged around it. A little cramped, but possible. Pro and Con lists were made. High-level Family Budget meetings were held. Capital expenditures were approved! My HandiQuilter was delivered and set up on March 12th.
Now that I had the machine, would I find time to use it? Of course! Time will always be an issue, but I’ve figured out how to fit more quilting into my schedule. I load a quilt in the evening so I can start quilting right away in the morning. My Mom and sisters have provided quite a few tops for my quilting pleasure! I’m quilting my own tops too. I love my HandiQuilter 16!

I own the following HQ machines:

I have been quilting for over 25 years and resisted machine quilting until a few years ago. Wrestling a large quilt into the small space of my sewing machine was work, not relaxation. Plus, I wasn’t very good at it. I am enough of a perfectionist that my less than great results didn’t provide enough incentive to keep practicing. I kept my machine quilting projects to small pieces and sent my large quilts off to be quilted by the professionals.
A couple of years ago, I upgraded my Bernina 200 to include the BSR (Bernina Stitch Regulator). It was great! Not having to worry about my stitch length provided the help to get me past the learning curve. I began to enjoy machine quilting but still struggled when quilting large quilts. I decided to look into a mid-arm machine set up. This would be a struggle because my sewing room is in a loft, accessible only by spiral staircase. And my sewing space is TIGHT. A huge ten-ton arrangement would be a problem.
I should say that I work for a local quilt shop, which sells several types of sewing and quilting machines, including Handi Quilter Products. But I wanted to see everything available in the quilt market. Since my parents live in Houston, Texas, I annually visit the International Quilt Festival. I had two days to look around. (Note to self – two days is NOT enough time at the Festival!) I packed my notebook, camera, and tennis shoes and began my hunt.
Under the glowing booth lights, everything looked impressive. The Festival was packed with staff and consumers and each booth gave great information about quilting and their product. I tested everything whether or not it was in my price range. At this point, I wanted to learn machine features. Price considerations would come later.
About mid afternoon on my second day, I was exhausted. My neck and shoulders were stiff and my legs and knees were actually hurting. I was beginning to think this long-mid-arm stuff was not for me. I went back to the HQ booth and noticed the sit-down model in the corner. I sat down, donned the machine quilting gloves and began stitching the sample quilt at the table. After a few false starts, I knew I had my machine. This was the technique I was used to. All the months of practicing on my home machine were met with the freedom given by the extra space of the HQ. What fun! I could sit. The table was the perfect height. The table was also configured differently. I was sitting at the head of the machine instead of the side. This meant that I could move completely from one side of a quilt to the other without running into the side of the machine. Plus, it was affordable. I could even add on the Stitch Regulator, poles and table if my sewing set up ever changed. I was so excited about my find that when I left the booth forty-five minutes later, I was still wearing the machine quilting gloves! (I did realize this after a few minutes and returned them.)
I went home, called my boss and ordered the HQ16 and sit-down table. That was almost three years ago and I still love my HQ sit-down system. I just wish I had more time to quilt!

I own the following HQ machines:

A little over 3 years ago, my best friend, Sandi, and I bought a Handi Quilter together. The first question most people ask us is “Are you still friends?” and the answer is unequivocally yes! In fact, I think that purchasing the machine has brought us closer after 24 years of friendship. I have been quilting for approximately 20 years now and hooked Sandi on the hobby about 8 years or more ago. The machine is currently residing at her house where we have ample space in her basement for storage, large quantities of batting, a cutting table, lights, etc. It gives us a chance to visit on a regular basis usually with me at the Handi Quilter and Sandi cutting one of her many creative quilts. The Handi Quilter has allowed us to finish many more of our quilts and added another layer to our art. We both work full-time at very demanding jobs and running the machine gives us a sense of freedom and takes away stress with every pass.

I own the following HQ machines:

I have been quilting for about 20 years.
I have taken many classes over the years, starting with "Quilt In A Day" techniques by the great Eleanor Burns. My early quilts were all tied, then I advanced to "stitch in the ditch". My next great discovery was "free motion stippling" all this on my DSM.
After years of quilt classes, quilt shows, learning all types of techniques, I found that I was pretty good at making quilt TOPS.
One of my teachers recommended going to the MQX show in NH to check out long arm/mid arm quilting machines. I went to the show and was totally mindboggled by all the beautifully quilted quilts and all the different machines out there. i took a few classes and was most impressed with the Handi Quilter display and the sales staff. Since I was on a limited budget, I purchased a floor demo Simply 16 machine. I love this machine. I love the fact that Handi Quilter makes sure you have a private lesson on the use and care of your machine before the warranty and registration is accepted. I also love the fact, that if I choose, my machine can be upgraded to a fully functional HQ16 with stitch regulator.
I have only had my machine for a couple of months, I have completed about 5 quilts on it, and just finished my first pantograph, which can be done on a simply 16.
In the future, I intend to upgrade to the Stitch regulated HQ16

I own the following HQ machines:

My first completed quilt was for our teenage son. We had just re-painted his room and he had gotten a waterbed – this was in the 1980’s of course! A local fabric store advertised a “Quilt In A Day” class and I wanted to make him a quilt for his new grey-black-burgandy room. I was ready to quilt! My old sewing machine refused to sew well that day and I took my quilt top home and took it completely apart and re-sewed it. Even with sewing my quilt top twice, I had been bitten by the quilting bug and have been quilting ever since.

The lady who did my long-arm quilting charged a very reasonable fee, but I wanted my own machine. Alas, our modest home had no space for a long-arm quilting table. A couple of years ago, my husband and I decided our home was a little too “cozy” when everyone came home to visit and we moved to a larger home with a large family room (soon-to-be part sewing room!) in the basement. I began to seriously consider a long-arm quilting machine.

When the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo Show came to town, I went to visit the dealer for the machine I had chosen. I was disappointed. It was so expensive! And it seemed to be complicated to operate and to maintain. But there were more quilting machines to try at the show – all sizes and prices of machines. I tried them all. The last one I came to was the HandiQuilter. It was so easy to operate. The price was affordable. The demonstrator was very patient – even after the fourth time I came back to her booth. I re-visited the other mid-arm machine booths, but knew the HandiQuilter was the machine I wanted! I purchased it that day and have truly enjoyed quilting on it. I chose the right machine to fulfill my dream of quilting my own quilts!

I own the following HQ machines:

I started quilting in about 2003, when my youngest daughter refused to wear the dresses with puffed sleeves that I would make for her. I was hooked on quilting from the start and have never looked back! Since I spend what spare time I have quilting, my husband had no choice but to learn about quilting in order for us to have any time together!
We have four children --- a junior in college, a freshman in college, a seventh grader and a third grader. Since we find ourselves driving around the state to various school activities and sporting events, we take advantage of the drive by visiting quilt shops and shows. Luckily, my husband is very unique in that he has always encouraged me to buy more fabric and quilting toys. I had bought a computerized quilting system back in 2003 and last fall when I saw the HQ16 with the Pro-Stitcher at the Des Moines AQS show, I fell in love with it. Right away, he encouraged me to get it and I have been extremely pleased with it. We have pretty much mastered the computerized quilting functionality, and I am looking forward to taking some free motion classes at the upcoming AQS show in Des Moines. Someday, when I retire, I expect to have more time to practice free motion.
My husband hasn’t finished his first quilt yet, but it couldn’t be more different from the types of quilts that I enjoy making the most. I love very traditional quilts, while he tends to favor quilts that are very contemporary and asymmetrical. It will be interesting to see what quilting pattern he selects. Likely, we will have to draw out a new one to match his contemporary quilt top. That is the beauty of this system…. It is very flexible and very easy to use. And, I am confident the quality of the HQ16 will provide many happy years of quilting for us!

I own the following HQ machines:

It was love at first sight. I first saw the Handiquilter HQ16 in the spring of 2003 in a show booth. I knew I was in love. My friends moved on down the aisle but they never lost me because they knew they could find me in front of the Handiquilter booth.
I called my husband and told him of this love affair and he bought into it. He thought at this time in my life a change would be good for me. So the love affair continues.
The HQ 16 is short and sweet just like me and fits perfectly in my home and we have been very good for each other through the years. I'm still in love.
Since buying the HQ 16 I have started a small quilting/printing business. I use the Handiquilter HQ 16 to finish many of the quilts for my business.
I have four children and they have all gone to college with quilts on their beds. Two are now married with wedding quilts.
It's great to have friends to quilt with and an understanding husband. Life is good when you finish a quilt.

I own the following HQ machines:

After dreaming about, a premonition, or God telling me I needed a "Long Arm
Quilting Machine" and sharing this with my daughter, Risha, she asked "What
kind do you want?" I didn't know. "How much are they?" Again I didn't
know because I had only watched one being used less than two minutes and out
of the blue this is what I needed to do!!! She told me to do my homework.
Well, I did and the HQ 16 was the one.

Patty, a fellow quilter, who was attending the Nashville Quilt Show called
on Friday to say they had 16 HQ 16's at the show for sale. Risha told her
to reserve one for me. Gloria, another fellow quilter, and I left Saturday
morning, drove to Nashville, met Mark (who loaded the machine for me and
talked like he was someone I had known all my life) then drove back home.
This is a day I will always cherish. Gloria and I talked, laughed, quilted,
ate and of course stopped at a quilt shop making the trip seem so short.
Gloria recently passed away leaving me with wonderful memories I wouldn't
have had it not been for the HQ16.

After my table arrived I set the machine up while watching the video over
and over. My first quilt on the HQ16 won't ever win any awards but I
proudly display it on the back of my sofa.

Risha treated me to the two "Retreats" at Handi Quilter in Salt Lake City.
Of course she couldn't let Mama go by herself so together we set out on our
new adventure. We spent 9 days in Utah that are still like a dream to me.
Vicki, Hattie, Cheryl and Kathi were so helpful teaching me about the HQ16
that I was so intimidated by. They explained how to thread it, adjust
tension with different thread, how to put in the backing, top and batting,
how to use patterns, groovy boards, pantographs and on and on and on.

If I had my time to go over would I purchase the HQ16? ABSOLUTELY!!! Would
I take the Retreats again? ABSOLUTELY!!! I would recommend the HQ16 to
anyone whether they are just beginning to quilt or have quilted forever.

I own the following HQ machines:

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 machines:

I am twelve years old, going into the seventh grade, and I am a quilter. My aunt runs the Quilt Basket, so I’ve been surrounded by fabric for my entire life. When I was younger, I would pick out a new fat quarter every time I visited my aunt, so I have quite a collection. I’ve also been able to use any machine in the shop that appealed to me. I have been very fortunate.
I have completed eight quilts so far, and like many older quilters have several in the works. I made my first quilt at around age six. I needed a lot of help then, but I am growing more independent. In the beginning I tied off my quilts to hold them together, but then my uncle introduced me to Handi Quilters. He helped me set up the machine and pick a pattern, and I was off!
I need help at some points, but for the most part I can do this myself. I like to do a lot of things that way, like the cutting and all of the sewing of my more recent quilts, this essay, etc.
When my uncle told me about this essay he was all excited about me showing people that children can do this, too. But what other twelve year old has been so fully introduced to the worlds of sewing and quilting? I needed the help of my aunt and uncle to accomplish what I have. All of the quilts I have quilted I gave away. Maybe it is so that someone else can enjoy using what I enjoyed making. This is just the beginning of my HQ story, and who knows what will happen next?

I own the following HQ machines:

My Husband travels quite often on business trips and I have the good fortune to be able to sometimes tag along. While he is at work I scour the phone book to find things to do and of course fabric shops. On a trip to New York we dropped by a shop that just happened to be an HQ dealer. I naturally headed directly to the sales and bargains, knowing that although my Hubby is wonderful to escort me, his enthusiasm for fabric wears off after an hour or two. I was in my happy place, up to my neck in colorful bolts of possibilities. My Hubby came to tell me that "the machine" was for sale, I not wanting to waste a minute of valuable time, replied that "yes it's for sale they are a dealer". "No it's on sale", was his reply. I had looked at other machines before and had made up my mind when the lottery comes in, I'd be getting one. I really didn't want to look at the machine I thought I'd like it, but it would be too expensive, definately not in my budget. After some convincing I agreed to take a half-hearted look.
My Hubby explained that the new model was arriving in a couple weeks so the store demo had to go. The shop owner showed us all the features, stitch regulator, stylus, lazer light, we took a little test drive, it came with free lessons, it was so nice! I took the shop owners card as I needed to think about it, my Hubby however was already convinced. All the way home he told me how great it was, the value of the engineering alone made it a steal, all the quilts I could make, how foolish I would be to not buy it. I made the call, we made the trip to pick up my baby, we brought her home. Setting her up wasn't difficult, the fact that she was too big for my sewing room made my Husband laugh. We reorganized my space, got her in, up and running. I live to far away to take advantage of the lessons, their are no dealers in my area and so I have relied on the video and books that came with my baby. I haven't found an issue yet that they can't walk me through. I get lots of tips from the online community and continue to expand my repertoire. I do wish that I could take a few lessons to learn some fancy tricks, but on my own my imagination and creativity have soared. My UFO pile is diminishing, my quality is steadily increasing and my productivity is outstanding.I love my HQ Sixteen and my Hubby for knowing a great value when he see's one.

I own the following HQ machines:

Hi, my name is Sharon. I began sewing many years ago as a child in 4H. I didn't always love it but I had to sew since we made all most all of our own clothes. As the years past I got married and started sewing for my children. My first attempt at quilting is really embrassing but it was a place to start. My Mother started quilting and bought a long arm quilting machine of her own. I was hooked. I thought I could piece and then I could also get my quilts quilted for free--YES! Not so my Mother passed away suddenly before I got got a chance to have any of my own quilts quilted and before I could learn all those valuable lessons in life, stories, and helpful tips that Mothers know but daughters don't always want to hear. My Father decided I should have her machine even though I had no where to put it. It came with a 12 foot table. well little by little things changed in the house and I got it moved in and the fight began. Me with no knowledge and no customer support. I started looking at other machines and loved the HQ and also I would and could have customer service and support available. My husband was after me for years to purchase myself a new HQ (I know crazy a husband telling yme to buy it and I didn't) A wonderful friend found a HQ with a lot of extras for sale on Craig's list and I bought a used machine and table,. Not only did I get a store that has support for me but also a company that transfered the left over warranty to me. I have not even had my machine for a year yet but love the machine and table. I can't wait to have time to take a class and learn more. I also have a new quilting friend from who I purchased this machine from but I sold my Mother's machine to a young lady and started her long arm quilting machine career. (She not only is getting more quilting accomplished than me at this point but she also beat me at the local county fair for best over all in our division.) This is just too much fun!! I hope to say I knew her when!

I own the following HQ machines:

I started a long arm business so I could stay home up in the Sierras. The machine and table were 14' and took up my entire living room. Some years later I was thinking of getting a newer machine around the release of the first HQ16. I was working for a sewing machine dealer by then and they finally agreed to become Handi Quilter Rep. After talking to several other long arm quilter's (Suzanne Hyland), with their feedback I decided to buy one. It was so much easier to use and I found there was nothing I couldn't do on it making it impossible to miss the larger machines. I've never looked back. I've had the same machine for almost 6 years now and rent it out regularly. It still runs like a top! (No pun intended)

I own the following HQ machines:

I was first introduced to quilting as a teenager but was not interested in cutting up fabric just to sew it back together again. At the time, it seemed such a waste of time. However, much I thought I knew then I did not know that one day soon I would be quilting and loving every minute of it.
Several years later, my best friend Suzette German talked me into accompanying her on the Greater Atlanta Shop Hop and I was very amazed at the quilts, the feel of the fabrics, the patterns and the friendliness of all the people we meet that weekend. I started asking Suzette questions about quilting and how you go about choosing just the right fabric and pattern for a project. She suggested I take a class and as they say, “the rest is history”.
Quilting is a hobby best enjoyed with friends so we roped a couple other willing friends into our fabric and stitching obsession. We started quilting in Suzette’s dining room using our small machines. If you have every tried to quilt a lap quilt or anything bigger than a placemat you know how difficult and daunting the task can be on a small machine. Well not to worry; Rita (HQ 16) came into our lives and made quilting a joy again.
We have all stepped out of our comfort zone and tried bigger projects with more intricate quilting designs thanks to our HQ 16 and its ease of use. We have made numerous quilts for charity, quilts for the neonatal unit, and a quilt for a wounded soldier after September 11, quilts for those touched by the ravaging effects of cancer as well as quilts for all the special people in our lives. We also kept a few that we just could not bear to part with to display in places of prominence around our homes. Each quilt is unique in its construction and design yet all bring comfort, joy and warmth to those touched by the generosity of a gift lovingly stitched with kindness, empathy and a genuine concern for its recipient. None of which would have been possible without the speed and efficiency of quilting on our HQ 16.

I own the following HQ machines:

When HQ e-mailed me and asked about the delivery of the Fusion, I mentioned that I had just been interviewed by the TampaBay9 (Florida) TV Station. When I sent the link, I was surprised to see that it was posted on the Home Page and in the "HQ in the News!!" section. WoW, my heart is still doing little flippy-flops.
I am the Community Service Coordinater for our group of about 140 members. The video told how The Manatee Patchworkers Quilt Guild were placing a gift of a child's quilt in each police car in Bradenton and Ellenton, Florida.
I named it "Quilts for Cruiser's." Cute? Please watch the video. We have placed almost 130 children's quilts so far (can you imagine the space that they were in unfolded and unpackaged?) and are working on larger quilts for another project still in early stages.
When the interviewer and photographer came, I was so nervous. I got the impression that they were fascinated with the whole project because they had me go over making the top, sandwiching the pieces with batting, and then quilting them. On what, they asked? I got out a sewing machine and demonstrated sewing the top. Then I took them upstairs. Did I mention what great pictures they took of the new Fusion? They were visibly overwhelmewd by the size and the beautiful designs.The Photographer said I moved too fast, so I slowed down and stayed in a small area. I had them BOTH try the Fusion and told them it came plastic-wrapped on a pallet with 9 boxes and in pieces. The the 10th box, 12 feet long, took a side trip from Utah to Illinois somewhere and finally here. It lives and plays in the loft now.
The story was to be that nite on the news, but then they decided it was going on the Sunday time and played all day long! The large purple twisted bargello at the end of the video is mine. There are some more pictures below. The work was done on my HQ16 before the Fusion came. I used lots of gold thread.
I have over 30 more tops to quilt, so I need to run. Thank You for coming.

I own the following HQ machines:

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 machines:

I was interested in a HQ Sixteen, so my Dad took me to Maryville, Tennessee to see the HQ Sixteen. I took 3 quilt tops and was able to get them quilted after some training on the machine. My Dad was as excited as I was to try out the HQ Sixteen. I was hoping to purchase one, but my Dad became ill and in less than 6 months he lost his battle with cancer.
After he passed away, I asked my Mama if I could have all of his shirts. I had about 80 shirts that were primarily plaid shirts that my Dad had worn. She gladly gave them to me and I started making a quilt using part of each one of the shirts in a throw size quilt. The first quilt was made using only squares cut from one sleeve of each of the shirts. I made the first quilt for my older sister and I have another ready to sew together for my younger sister. I am hoping to have enough fabric from the shirts to make a quilt for my Mama, my siblings and my parents’ grandchildren.
I purchased my HQ Pro-Stitcher in August of 2008 and the quilt I made from my Dad’s shirts was one of the first ones I quilted on it. I have made and quilted 11 quilts on it since I have had it. I like doing the free motion designs and I am learning to use the computer. Every time I quilt on it I learn something new. I love being able to make a quilt from start to finish.

I own the following HQ machines:

Handi Quilter and I entered each others lives in February, 2008. I am delighted to be the Director of Marketing & Education for Handi Quilter and one of the perks is that I get to quilt on all of our models all of the time. I love the HQ Sixteen Sit-down model because I already know how to do that kind of push-through quilting and the extra throat space makes quilting so much easier. I've gotten good at the HQ Sixteen with the HQ Pro-Stitcher and love exploring the many patterns that come with the system, as well as sampling beautiful designs from Quiltmaker magazine and other designers. The HQ Fusion is so smoooth, that I'm lusting after one for my own home studio. I wonder how long I'll be able to resist?

I own the following HQ machines:

Like so many other quilters, my HQ story begins after I purchased a short arm frame quilting system. I loved it, but after completing 22 quilts I was very frustrated with the narrow quilting space and wanted to move up to a larger machine. My husband agreed to go with me to Road to California to do some serious shopping. We looked at all the “big boys” before passing a Handi Quilter display. He said “What about this one?” I was reluctant to try it because I didn’t feel like it was a “real” long arm machine. He reminded me that we were there to try all of them. Well, it was love at first touch. It ran so smoothly and looked so clean and manageable that my decision was made.
After purchasing my HQ, time marched on and I was hungry for more education (we’re quilters, we love classes). I found the information about the U of HQ on the Internet and registered for the retreat in May of 2007. It was probably the best quilting experience I’ve ever had. From the moment I walked into the Handi Quilter headquarters, I had a wish to be part of the organization. But since they are in Salt Lake City and I am in Phoenix, that didn’t seem possible.
My background is many years of computer training at the Community College level and also many years of teaching quilting classes. As the retreat week passed, the studio educators began talking about an upcoming Educator program. The following January I got a phone call asking me to join that program. Since then it’s been a wonderful journey of teaching in shops all over the country and many trips to the headquarters in Salt Lake for more training. I’ve since given up my Community College job to devote my time to quilting and teaching. I can truly say that my Handi Quilter changed my life.

I own the following HQ machines:

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 machines:

My HQ story

This is the tale of “The Magic Quilting Machine.”

When I was 12, my Aunt Pat gave me my first quilt. Today, it is tattered and worn from use but my interest and love of quilting continues to grow.

Like anyone that has been quilting for a long time, and in my case it is now close to 40 years, I had created a number of pieced tops that needed quilting. What I also had was the unrealized idea of all the quilts I wanted to make. I tried machine quilting a few times using my sewing machine but I was never very happy with the results. What I was anxious to do was make quilts, lots and lots of quilts.

I started researching quilting machines about 4 years ago. I was wowed by the detail possible with machine quilting. I was also intrigued by the advertising that said that king-sized quilts could be quilted in just hours. The only king-sized quilt I made took years! When I walked into the Quilt Scene in early 2007, I got to actually try a quilting machine and it was an HQ16. I didn’t wait very long before placing my order but I did wait (very impatiently) as it made its way to me by ocean freight to our small island! My HQ16 was barely up and running before I was on my way - loops, swirls, stars, hearts, and feathers – they were all at my fingertips. Since I live outside the U. S. mainland I was unable to take advantage of the free lessons offered by my Handi Quilter dealer in Miami. I was doing my thing but couldn’t help but wonder what I was missing. What could I do better or more efficiently? What I really wanted to do was talk to other quilters and watch them quilt with their machines.

One of the women in our quilt group was making Quilts of Valor and sending them to long arm quilters to be finished. She would bring the finished pieces to our Wednesday night meetings and encourage us to get involved. We soon started working together to make QOV’s from our combined stashes. Within four months we had completed 6 quilts with the help of my HQ16. When I sent pictures to my niece she dubbed my HQ16 “The Magic Quilting Machine”. Since I have always believed that there is a certain amount of magic sewn into every quilt that is made and given to someone to show love and provide comfort, the name was perfect.

When I learned that friends had purchased a farm in Komga, South Africa and opened a home for children orphaned by AIDS, I was moved to contribute. Since quilting for children has always been my favorite kind of quilting, I asked if quilts were something that the children would enjoy. The answer was a resounding YES. Since the children must share everything, having a quilt with their name on it would be a truly special gift. A project was born! With pictures of the children as inspiration, our small quilt group enthusiastically embraced the challenge.

By the end of February we had completely finished six and we had another seven ready to quilt. I quilted every chance I got. Did I mention that I also had a full time job? My husband always knew where I would be on the weekends. As soon as I took a quilt out of the frame another took its place. I always had something ready to work on. Some of them were finished in two hours and others took eight. Each one was different and they all spoke to me

Open Arms Home for Children now has 30 children and we have all been richly rewarded with pictures of the children enjoying their quilts. The home continues to grow so my HQ16 is as busy as ever. Without it, I never would have considered making so many quilts in so little time. I’ve completed more quilts in the last year than in all of my previous 39 years of making quilts. Everything about my magic quilting machine has been infinitely rewarding. When I’m quilting with my machine I am definitely in my happy place. Every quilt that I put in the frame teaches me something

If you want to learn more about Open Arms Home for Children or a Long Walk for Children, you can visit the following websites: http://www.alongwalk.org/
or http://www.openarmshome.com/

Kathleen Mackay

I own the following HQ machines:

I've been making quilts since the early 1980's and have been quilting by machine since the late 1980's. I drooled over the long arm machines for many years while I was still using my home machine to quilt with. I wore out my college graduation present sewing machine using it for free motion quilting! My husband finally got tired of me talking about a quilting machine and I bought my first one, the HQ16, in late 2005. By March of 2006 I had played enough on my own quilts & had a business up & running. I loved the HQ16 & how it handled, but once I saw the new Fusion, that's when I realized what I didn't like - the smaller throat area.

I just got my Fusion in June 2009 and after playing with it, the first quilt done on the new machine was not done by me, but by my 13 1/2 year old son!! He wanted to do a quilting project for 4-H & thought it would be an easy project. He found out just how much math mom has to do when making a quilt and how time consuming making the top can be. He practiced doing a pantograph before we removed the practice fabric and his skills were not up to the level needed. I had him test out a groovy board & that worked well for him. He wanted to do custom work but was too short to reach the handles from that side of the machine. He did not like the groovy boards I already had at home so we had to special order what he wanted & pay for expedited shipping so it would arrive in time for him to finish the quilt before judging. He finished & got a blue ribbon, an outstanding of the day & went to the state fair where he got a participation ribbon. The judges at the state fair marked him down on his display poster, but did write down that they really liked his quilt.

I've since done several other quilts on the Fusion and I like the new machine even more than I liked the HQ16. If someone had told me last year that I would be selling my HQ16 this year I would have thought they were crazy. The larger Fusion, though, has been great for my business as I can do the quilts with fewer passes. I like being able to quilt a 12 inch block on point all at once. I really like the stitch regulator on the Fusion and how I have more control than I ever had before. My feathers look better now!

I really appreciate the studio frame for the Fusion as well. Yes, it takes up more space, but it has been so worth it in terms of stability and ease of use that I can put up with a tight fit until I get some more space cleared out.

I own the following HQ machines:

The week my daughter was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis,and me being a quilter, I thought I would sell little quilts to raise money for reshearch. I thought maybe 10 to 12 quilts would be good but ended up selling 68 little quilts! Raising over $3000 for the M.S. Society. My H.Q. was a time saver !

I own the following HQ machines:

Since my family has now grown and away from home I decided in 2004 that it was time to take up quilting, something that I had thought a lot about since seeing my mom and grandmother quilt.
After taking a few classes that year, I was hooked. I also got my sister to join me and
so we had a lot of quilting to do. We tried the tying and found that was not what we wanted.
I had a couple of quilts quilted by a professional long-arm quilter in our area and it was very interesting to me, so I made a call to Handi Quilter in 2007 and it has been all uphill from there. That September I purchased my HQ Sixteen and I was off.
The Handi Quilter Forum was always very helpful and if I had a real problem all I had to do was call Handi Quilter and there was always someone there ready to help.
The first few months I thought I would never be able to do anything but meander and simple pantographs plus I was also thinking I might like a little bigger machine. So I guess that would just continue to be a dream since there was nothing larger than the HQ Sixteen and with the service I was getting I didn't want to change.
In Nov. of 2008 I found that Handi Quilter also offered three-day educational retreats in Salt Lake City, Utah, so in March of 2009 off I went.
The retreat couldn't have been better. The education, friendship, and support was unreal. Also, wouldn't you know, I got to get a peek at the new Fusion that was coming out in May. My dream was about to become reality.
I ordered my new Fusion at the MQX show in Manchester, NH in April and it arrived in May. Oh yes, and placing the order was just a little something special. (Maybe you would have to ask Vicki about that.) 
(EDITOR'S NOTE: Flo told Vicki that she had purchased a competitor's machine and let her believe that for an entire day before admitting she was buying a Fusion.)
So it has been four months now and my new Fusion and I are loving each other. I love the simplicity of the new Fusion. Just a great machine for everyone. Also if I do have a question, Handi Quilter is just a phone call away and they are ready to help you in any way they can. The service is one of the best.
I know with my Fusion I will be quilting for a very long time. Thanks to everyone at
Handi Quilter for their friendly and great service.

I own the following HQ machines:

I Love piecing Quilts and I also like to quilt my own Quilts, which I did on my domestic machine. I was always interested in a Long Arm Machine, but I felt the cost was too much. A friend told me about the HQ 16 and I felt the cost was within my budget. I purchased a HQ16 in 2006 and the Pro Stitcher in 2008. I was really happy with them, but after attending a Seminar at Central Sewing, Edmonton, AB. I was really impressed with the Fusion and the extra sewing area. Well the same friend that originally told me about the HQ16 was at the Seminar and told me she was interested in buying my machine & Pro Stitcher. When I came home I told my husband I was interested in upgrading to the Fusion, his remark was that a few year ago we could have purchased a car for that price, but then he said I deserved the upgrade. I didn’t wait for him to say no. So, the deal was made with my friend and she purchased my machine. I have given her lessons on the machine and she is very happy with the HQ16.
Because I live 300 miles from any Dealer, I have always set up my own machines & I have just finished setting up the Fusion with the frame which has allowed me to understand the machine.
I have quilted many Baby Panel Quilts, large pieced quilts and also a Photo Transfer Quilt for my Grand Daughter for Graduation. I do Stippling, Love using Rulers. I have done MacTavishing by Karen MacTavish & really like her Technique. I also used the Pro Stitcher on a Couple of Quilts, but gave it up with my HQ16.
I have attended the Beginners and Intermediate Classes in Salt Lake and am looking forward to attending the Pro Stitcher Retreat. I would love to be chosen to attend the HQ Story Retreat.

I own the following HQ machines:

I am a third generation quilter. My great grandma made many beautiful quilts by hand and hand quilted them as well. As a child, I was fascinated by this beautiful and creative pastime. My mother became a quilter and followed in my great grandma's footsteps but she took it to the next generation by using a machine. Mom never did any hand quilting or machine quilting because of her arthritis, however, she continued machine piecing until her hands would not allow her to continue. So the passed the baton on to me. I have been actively quilting for three years now. I retired early so I could quilt. Yes, I retired to quilt. I was so afraid if I waited until retirement that I too would risk the ol' arthritis syndrome. So my husband and I sold our "dream home" and moved north. We bought a home in Clintonville which actually was a better location for my husbands work. I joined two quilt guilds to meet people who loved to quilt like I do. Quilting is my passion but there was something missing.
Last year my husband and I went on a motorcycle trip to Minnesota and we stopped at as many quilting stores I could find. One of the stores in Duluth,Mn had an HQ on the floor. After asking quilt store owner tons of questions, I was ready to buy. It took me about 6 months to sell the idea to my husband but once he jumped on board I was ready to go. We tried out three different brands of machines and I was sold on the HQ. Once we made our decision we purchased the HQ in January of this year with the intent to start up my home business. "Always In Stitches" was born and went live in April. I love love love my machine it has added the additional creativity that I was looking for. Every time I quilt another quilt I am amazed at how fabulous they look once I have added the creative touch. The best of all is my mother is still here to see the quilts that I make. My mom was recently able to attend our quilt guild's quilt show and she saw all the quilts that I have made as well as all the quilts that I had quilted of others. She said to me she has never seen such beautiful work. The best compliment I could ever receive from my mother was when she said "You do things I never dreamed of with your quilts". Wow, coming from mom that says a lot.
Thank you for having such a great machine available at such a reasonable price. I love my machine. I sing your praises everyday. I'm so glad that I took the time to find the right machine for me. My husband is so proud that he has been working towards turning our basement into a lovely quilting studio. Thank you also for your great support staff. They too have been wonderful and helpful to me.

I own the following HQ machines:

I started out in 2001 with a table from Sam's Club, reinforced on the bottom with a carridge and tracks from Handi Quilter. I used my home sewing machine. I went from there to the HQ16 Quilting machine and the professional carriage in March 2004. By August 2004 I was able to add the Stitch Regulator. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. I love my machine then I was able to get the Pro Stitcher and finally in 2009 I was able to get the HQ Studio Frame (table) that was adjustable. I started small and was able to grow over the years. I researched many different models and just couldn't find anything that compared for the price. I also had the flexibility to add components as I was financilly able to do so. I have been very pleased with any conversation I have had with anyone at the company in Salt Lake City. They make you feel like family. Add to that the best sales representitive in the country and I can say I have been overly satisfied with all aspects of my HQ experience. Thank you.

I own the following HQ machines:

I bought my HQ now so when I can retire I will have my "toys" ready. I hope to be able to retire in a few years and spend the rest of my life quilting on my HQ with the prostitcher.

I own the following HQ machines:

Why did I buy a Handi Quilter machine? Well, I guess it was because when I first began quilting in 2002, I started looking for a way to machine quilt and finally found the original Handiquilter “frame” that I used my DSM on. I used that for a couple of years but never got very good at it. I also soon realized that I did want a larger throat area as I really like doing lap to queen sized quilts. So, when I retired in 2006 I used some of my retirement money and bought the HQ16 and table. I LOVE my machine. I have tried to upgrade it whenever possible but for the most part love it just the way it came.
I got my machine with the stitch regulator and for a while couldn’t make it work well. But with a little adjustment, and help from Greg in Utah, I got the wheel to run right and the plug to stay in and all has gone well since. I have upgraded the handles and micro handles and someday would like to be able to upgrade to the Studio Frame. I like freehand work (unregulated), have started doing pantos (regulated), and am still working on ruler/template work (regulated). I try to spend about 20 – 30 hours a week in my studio and like to have a quilt on the frame most of the time. I tend to quilt for about 1-2 hours at a time and then take food/reading breaks: I am old. LOL
I never used a professional long arm quilter. I somehow had the idea that I wanted to make my quilts from start to finish which is why I got my original HQ frame. Because I am always working on 3-4 projects at a time, I so far have been able to complete my quilts in a somewhat timely manner.
I do not quilt professionally nor do I enter my quilts in shows. I do, however, quilt for family, friends, charity and mostly for myself. My most recent quilts are a black and white log cabin called All That Jazz, a snail’s trail called Alabama Escargot, and an appliquéd wedding quilt for my youngest son which I am delivering this week.

I own the following HQ machines:

An American Quilt
By: Shelley Jones

People always say what will be meant to be will be. I guess you could say I believe it. It all started about last November when I was laid off. I was bummed about being unemployed, but felt that maybe taking a step outside of the corporate world I would be able to do some things I’ve always wanted to do. I made a list of things I wanted to explore and on that list was learning how to quilt. I have to be honest; it was not on the top of my list since I knew nothing about sewing and didn’t even own a sewing machine. It wasn’t until April of this year that I had saved up enough and went out and bought my first sewing machine. My mother showed me how to use it. I did a lot of reading, and found I really enjoyed designing quilts and collecting fabrics. I think those ladies at the first few quilt shops thought I was crazy I was planning away, buying fabric, yet didn’t really know how to make a quilt yet. I don’t blame them, it was kind of crazy. Well anyhow, from that April till this August I learned how to make a quilt and made six or so. I have found that they all tend to have a story to go with them, but the one I am writing about today was by chance.

It was the first week in August and I was home visiting my parents in Live Oak, Florida. My mother happens to be in charge of putting together the church newsletter and in exchange for her editing my resume I in turn edited her newsletter. In that newsletter was an article for a retreat for soldiers coming back from Iraq. The program is called Wounded Warriors and they were asking for quilts and nice letters for the soldiers coming to the retreat this September. The quilts would be due by August 28th, had to be red white and blue, and no larger than 60” x 60”. I wanted to help but wasn’t sure if I had the time to finish a quilt since I was going with my family to Tennessee for 10 days at the end of August. The crazy thing was that throughout July I had been buying patriotic fabric for no apparent reason. So, maybe that was my reason. I agreed to make the quilt.

I called around and made an appointment in one of the local shops to learn how to use a long arm sewing machine so I could speed up the quilting process. In the meantime I got to work. I went to the library and checked out books and found my inspiration in Kaffe Fassett’s Quilts in the Sun, I chose to adapt my pattern from Brandon Mably’s Big Star Quilt. I made the quilt top over that weekend and ordered a fabric for the backing. Over the next few weeks I waited for the fabric to come in, and it just didn’t come. When I was about to cancel my order I got news that the order had shipped but then I got a call from the quilting shop cancelling my appointment with the long arm, apparently their machine was acting up. So great. I figured I’d just have to take everything with me and quilt it on my small machine in the Mountains there was no time for anything else.

We left Florida and made it to Townsend, Tennessee on August 16th. The next day we were driving around and my mom was reading the Townsend paper and came across this ad for Pappy’s Quilting in the nearby town of Maryville. I figured I’d check it out. When I called they were very nice and said that they do teach how to use the long arm and you could pay to use it, but unfortunately they didn’t have any openings until the end of September. It figures I thought, so I said thanks anyway and right before I hung up I thought to leave my name and number in case they had any cancellations. Literally by the end of the day Pappy’s daughter had called back saying the lady for the next day had cancelled and if I wanted to come in I could. I couldn’t believe it. The next two days I took the class and quilted my quilt at Pappy’s Quilting. They were great and I learned a lot. A day before we left I happened to stop back by to look for a fabric for another quilt I started and Pappy’s daughter was there again and she told me I should tell my story to this website, she said don’t leave anything out. So after everything it seems like even if I don’t win a trip or anything else I feel like I was meant to tell my story and meant to make this quilt. I hope whoever it goes to will enjoy it; it is one of my favorites that I’ve made so far.
Thanks for your time!
Sincerely,
Shelley Jones

I own the following HQ machines:

Oh, my shoulders. Oh, my back. Oh, my neck.I should buy stock in Tylenol! Instead, my friend bought an HQ16, lovingly known as Rita! Now my body is free from the pain of trying to make a queen-sized peg fit into a short arm hole! My friend is kind enough to share her quilter with her 3 friends (better known as the Twisted Sisters - and the name fits!)Not only did we find the joy of smoothly gliding over our carefully selected and pieced fabrics, we also found that Rita draws us closer as friends. A purpose and common love that draw us like magnet to steel together. Some day I will look back on these quilting moments and think...those were the days.

I own the following HQ machines:

I started long arm machine quilting (on a competitor's machine) in December of 2008. It has been a great hobby to compliment my wife's love for piecing quilt tops. We went on a charter bus trip to the Paducah Quilt show in April 2009. I was the only man on the bus along with 50 women (including the driver). I was interested in seeing the show, but thought my presence might curtail my wife's spending. A stop at the HQ booth shot that theory, but I am the one who ordered a new Fusion. I recognized the limitations of my present machine and was impressed by the Fusion demonstration. It had the HQ quality and support and all the features that I was looking for.
Since that time, I have taken several classes through my HQ dealer in Morton Illinois. My main practice experience has been finishing Project Linus quilt tops for my wife and also for the local quilting guild. I have finished at least 100 quilts for Project Linus and several other charities.

I own the following HQ machines:

My HQ Story:
As a young girl a favorite pastime was watching my Mother sew together
tiny pieces of fabric and then transformed the pieces into a beautiful
quilt. She had the patience of Job and a matching God given talent. It
was fascinating to see my old dresses and yes, some blouses, being
worked into a quilt. This gave me a sense of ownership in knowing that
my old dresses were now keeping me warm in yet another way as I
snuggled beneath the warm blankets. Those were the days when nothing
was wasted.
I remember Mother saying you first have to cut a good piece of fabric
into small pieces and then sew the pieces back together using your
imagination to get the pieces to fit. Once the piecing was finished she
then would draw a design on the quilt top using only a soft pencil, a
piece of chalk and a few pieces of cardboard cut into geometric shapes.

As I got closer to retirement age, I remembered those childhood days
and became involved in the art of making quilts. I wanted a machine
that would replace the pencil, chalk and cardboard shapes and allow me
to stitch beautiful motifs. Because I am a little short on a God given
talent of designing motifs, I knew I would need help and plenty of it.
I spent tons of hours researching the best technology that I could use
with my PCQuilter which I inherited from my sister. I finally decided
on a sit down HQ16 model. It was as if I had always owned an HQ16
because of the ease of operation. As mentioned my artistic ability is
limited so I knew I would be happier with a hands free computer
operated system. After many hours of training myself to load a quilt
and digitizing designs, I just knew that a stitch regulator was in my
future...I then upgraded my HQ16 to include the stitch regulator which
advanced me to mastering free motion quilting. You guessed it; I then
purchased the micro handles so I could quilt around appliqué designs.
I have found the beauty of any HQ16 enhancement more than meets my
expectations. The learning curve never ends. Did I mention that I was
retired? What’s that?
I entered a quilt in the NQA show this June in Columbus, Ohio. The
quilt was designed around Crown Royal Whiskey bags. The piecing was
done by my sister and I did the quilting using my HQ16 setup. Since
then I have designed and pieced two more Crown Royal quilts. It seems
to be a popular insignia. I have pieced several quilts and entered them
in various shows. I did win a first place ribbon in 2006; however I did
not quilt this particular top. You see, I was busy researching the HQ16
setup back in 2006. I love my quilts and I show them off any time I get
a chance. I even want you to see them so I have attached a few for your
review.
I’m learning to love the free motion feature of the HQ16, however not
as much as the computerized system. It is right up there with the
sew-out of a digitized design. Both have their place in the quilting
world. I’ve learned that we don’t change the quilt, the quilt changes
us. Life is understood backwards; but is lived by moving forward. I
look forward to the day that I can own an HQ Fusion as I advance in my
love of quilting...ab

I own the following HQ machines:

In May of 2003, a tornado damaged our apartment building and forced us to find another place to live. The very next day, I received word that I had inherited a small amount of money. Looking back, I can see that it was ultimately the combination of those two events that allowed me to have my HQ16!

Like so many others, I started by doing my machine quilting on my DSM. While I loved the creative aspect of it, the mechanics were way too difficult and limited. I rented time on a longarm to quilt two queen-size quilts using pantographs and was completely hooked! Sadly, that shop closed when the owner retired but my best friend, a longarm quilter, came to my rescue. On her advice, I attended the Sewing Expo in Overland Park and test-drove the HQ16. She just knew the HQ16 would be exactly what I needed and she was right! It was love at first sight! I desperately tried to reach my then-boyfriend and inform him that I was going to order the HQ16, even though I had no clue where I would put it. We had moved to a small two-bedroom duplex after the tornado, and the second bedroom was already taken over as my sewing room. I finally told him I’d put it up in the living room if need be (he said no! it didn’t belong in the living room!). Fortunately, we had a short lease there and the need for space for the HQ16 prompted us to find a three-bedroom apartment. Good thing my now-husband is understanding and supportive because even today, in our three bedroom house, we only have one real “bedroom,” the other two are my Sewing Room and my Quilting Room!

Since receiving my HQ16 in January 2004, I have slowly upgraded a bit and added the stitch regulator, micro-handles and the new and wonderful Studio Frame. One of the best things about owning an HQ16 has been the chance to get to know Mark Hyland, Vicki, Harriet, and all the great people at HandiQuilter. They consistently offer the best customer service in the business and I am proud to call them my friends. Not to mention, I love their products and am truly grateful for their constant efforts to provide us with quality products.

I quilt primarily for myself but also like to do as much as possible for Quilts of Valor. I still enjoy pantographs but my dream is to someday be able to do the luscious custom quilting I see at MQS. For now, my fulltime job keeps me from having enough practice time but I know my beautiful HQ16 will be patiently waiting for me.

I own the following HQ machines:

I have been a quilter for 22 years. I started with hand quilting then moved on to machine quilting on my Bernina. When that became too cumbersome I started looking at midarm machines. I bought my HQ16 four years ago and have loved it. Now I quilt for others and don't have time to make quilts for myself. I love the challenge of deciding what to put on each quilt. I recently took a test drive on a Fusion and was very impressed. Hopefully when I retire from my full time job in a couple of years I can upgrade to the Fusion. I cannot believe the support I get from the home office in Utah and dealers wherever I go while traveling for work. The chat groups on line are a constant source of ideas and support. What a great community to be a part of!

I own the following HQ machines:

I have had more fun with my HQ 16 than should be legally allowed. It all started when I went to my local quilt shop and had the HQ16 machine demonstrated for me. I was afraid to try stitching with it when it was my turn. Moments after trying the machine and realizing the precision quilting that can be achieved with the HQ system; I knew I needed to get one for my very own. I wanted to be able to put the finishing artistic touch to my quilts rather than let someone else have all that fun.
Since getting my HQ16, I have made more quilts than I can even remember. I now make quilts for family, friends and charity. I have quilts hanging in every room of my house including one on the front of my fridge and even one in the bathroom! Our dog has her very own wholecloth quilt too. Oh! There is also a quilt decorating the garage wall!
Something I never expected to happen in my quilting adventure, DID!. I entered one of my quilts in my guild’s challenge competition and won 1st place. That same quilt called “Silver Celebration” won Best of Show in the AQS on-line quilt contest in 2008. It was so exciting to see my quilt hanging in the show at Paducah, KY with a purple ribbon attached. My quilt was published in American Quilter magazine and Unlimited Possibilities magazine. Entering shows is great fun and very challenging. I’ve won 1st place ribbons in our local show in Orlando, 1st and 2nd place at MQS, 1st place in a contest in Franklin, NC, and Judge’s Recognition at Quiltfest in Jacksonville, FL. I am proud to have one of my quilts juried into the Pacific International Quilt Festival. I was also asked permission to allow my Silver Celebration quilt and story to be published in a quilting magazine in JAPAN!
Of the many things I love about my HQ16, flexibility has to be my favorite feature. You can add the options you want and need when the time is right. I started out with a non-stitch-regulated machine. After attending classes at HQU and using one of the classroom machines with the stitch regulator, I just had to have it and simply added that to my existing machine. Next came micro handles, then the ProStitcher and finally the Studio frame.
I use rulers with the ruler base and groovy boards and do plenty of freehand and ProStitcher work as well. All the options available work together seamlessly to achieve professional quality quilting and exactly the design I want to complete my quilts.
I am very excited to be teaching quilting classes too, thanks to my experience with the HQ16. Since getting my HQ16, quilting has become a delightful adventure and I can’t wait to see where my HQ and I will go next.
Thanks Handi Quilter!!

I own the following HQ machines: