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: