Good morning! I have just purchased a short arm and I'm wondering if anyone else with a short arm has tips or suggestions for me. I'm just getting started at it. I'm having a wonderful time playing. I'd love to hear from other who have one too!

Linda,

I have a megaquilter and I love it. I don't know if I can help you any, but I am here if you need me.

Have fun playing!

The bad thing is, it has made me really want a long arm machine now.

Have a great day!
Vicky

Oh Vicky, I know just what you mean. I can see the great benefits of a long arm, but the pricing is pretty high. Thought I'd start here with a Pfaff Grandquilter and a Grace Next Generation Frame.

So far I've just loaded muslin for top and bottom and batting for practise. I've been basically trying free motion and it's sooo much fun. But of course, after watching Linda Taylor for weeks now, I want to stitch like she does. Well, you would have laughed at my results, compared to hers.

Do you do mostly free motion or pantographs? I do have a laser on mine so I can do lasers, but I haven't tried it yet. What is your favourite style of using your short arm? I'd love to hear about it.

I have a Brother PQ1500S on a Hinterberg original machine frame. It also has the pantograph with the laser but I don't use it because if I quilt from behind, I can't see over the take up bar to see if/when my thread breaks.

I recently bought the roll n glide foot from www.angelthreadsquilting.com www.fabricartshop.com also carries it. It's a world of difference than using the free motion foot. It's like you have more control. If you have trouble with your stitching skipping, you should at least try this foot. The stitches look like you have a stitch regulator when you really don't. Angel Threads also has a video for longarmming. I have (2) of the Donita Reeve videos that have been really helpful too.

I stipple mostly but bought the roll n glide foot so that I could learn to use the acrylic template rulers. The acrylic rulers are used as a guide for the foot to lean against when you move your machine to create new designs with more control. I can even write messages in my quilting with the roll n glide foot with ease. The foot doesn't bounce so the fabric doesn't move when you quilt, unlike with the free motion foot. I don't work for nor am I spokesperson for this foot but I am a satisfied customer passing on my new found toy.

Janice

I had a short arm set up, but was so discouraged by it's limitations, I got a LONG ARM!!!

I got it about a month ago, but haven't got it all set up yet, but I'm getting close. I put new leaders on it yesterday, and have to get the table leveled and lowered (I think the previous owner was way tall!) and I'm ready to start. I found it on Craig's List. It is a Nolting. I've had it to Nolting's shop and it is in great condition. He told me I should be ashamed of myself. Why? Because he said I stole it! I paid her exactly what she was asking for it. I didn't EVEN try to bargin the price down!

Anyway, I'll be learning right along with you in learning the quilting process! I can't wait!!

Jami

Linda.

I have a laser, but I don't use it very often. I don't like the way the thread looks when it begins. I know there are probably some tricks, but it is a learning process.

I meander because I enjoy it. It is very relaxing and I really enjoy it.

I also have the 1500 Brother that I sew on. It is a workhorse. I really like it for string piecing because it sews really fast when you want to go fast.

Jami, I have friends that just purchased their second Nolting. They love the company because they are so nice. They just purchased a larger one.

I really want a long arm, but I don't knew when and if I can afford it. Too bad someone wouldn't just give me one.

Have a great quilty day!
Vicky

Vicky-

It's older...maybe 13 or 14 years. It has a 12' table. It is a 16" commercial head. They don't even make one that size anymore.

I would have loved a bigger machine (24" at least), but the price was way right on this one and we only had a day trip to go get it and get home. I still figure it is about 12" bigger than what I had when I would get to the end of the quilt!

I want to play, but have to do the dreaded WORK today. We had terrible wind and rain this past weekend, and my city parks are a mess from tree branches and leaves. I'm having to rake just about all of it before I can start my mowing. (I only have to work in the warm months...I mow the city properties) But the raking is about to kill me!!!

Well, I best get back at it...lunch time break is over!

Jami

Quiltsrfun, thank you so much for the two links. I've saved them to my favourites and I'll go back and have a better look when I have more time. That foot you're talking about sounds very interesting too. I'll have to check that out. The one problem I am having is that I'm taller, about 5'10", and I'm too high to see my needle at all times. I'm thinking I either need to raise my frame or get a stool. What do you do, stand or sit, and what do you prefer?

Jami, good for you on your longarm! Way to go in getting a great deal. Oh, I bet you're excited. You'll have to tell us how it all goes!

Vicky, so far that's what I've been doing too, meandering, and I just love it! (that doesn't mean I'm good at it though) I've been doing this little loopy-loop design and I just love it. Oh my gosh, you should have seen my first freehand feather! It was hilarious! Okay, okay, I'm going to practise!

I'm afraid to quilt one of my tops. I've put so much work into them, I don't want to wreck any of them! I think I'll stick to practising for a while. Did it take you long to attempt your first top?

Another question, what thread do you ladies like to use?

Linda,

I did two practice pieces on muslin, then I purchased some of the cheater quilt fabric and quilted three of them. Then I started on my own tops.

Vicky

SewFine...I'm only 5'4. I usually stand to quilt. Sometimes, I sit and roll as I go. I find it easier if I stand because then I'm forced to take breaks as I should when quilting. I can'r quilt from behind the frame because I'm too short to see if/when my thread breaks.

The roll n glide foot also fits the Voyager that Hinterberg makes. I think it works much better than the free motion foot. It's a keeper!

Janice