Gari Lidh
Me and my HQ16

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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: