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 machine: HQ Sixteen