Sunday, September 09, 2007

Long-Arm Experience

Yesterday, I was scheduled to try out the long-arm HQ 16 at my LQS. I was determined to finish this string quilt, destined for Linus Project. I started this quilt months ago, after joining a string quilt mail list, Heart Strings, on Yahoo. Why it took me so long to get it done I'll never know, but here it is, DONE. Mary, of www.heartstringsquiltproject.com started this mail list/Heart String Quilt Project which has turned into a huge success, using up stash strings and turning them into wonderful quilts for any charitable organization.

(I can't get this link insert to work properly ... )

I don't think I'm destined to be a long-arm quilter, but then this was my first effort. I really LIKE my DSM and enjoy machine quilting with a Janome 6500 as well as hand quilting, but I digress.

Here is the finished project - not bad colorwise, and not great quiltingwise -- but OK.


And here is a close up -- I'm feeling very brave to show my crookedy stitches. The machine had a stitch regulator that was driving me bananas, but hey, I'm learning.


Now, I have more to tell you. First, the gals at the shop were so helpful, patient, knowledgeable, etc. I am most grateful for their help and assistance. Then, when it was time to tally up the cost, came the next big and pleasant surprise. Because this was a donated quilt, they gave me the most generous discount. And even better yet, there had been some kind of collusion between them and my DH, so when I was ready to leave, they handed me a gift certificate from DH for another shopping spree! I was so overwhelmed, I couldn't even do any shopping +- a good excuse for another day of pleasure.

Hey, life is good!
Posted by at

19 comments:

  1. Joyce9/9/07, 2:15 PM

    Your quilting looks pretty good to me. I'd love to try a longarm some day. THere is one fabric shop in town that has one and a friend and I are going to see if we can rent it someday. What a nice surprise at the quilt store.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Birdydownunder9/9/07, 4:09 PM

    a nice day all round. What a nice dh. Thank goodness you won't be getting a longarm, I don't think I could keep up with you :) and actually I don't think you need one, you use your domestic machine so well.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mary Johnson9/9/07, 11:44 PM

    OK, that's pretty good for a first effort. I think the first time people use a longarm they don't realize how different it is than quilting on a regular machine. The good news is that it really doesn't take that long to get used to it. Of course, I'll never be able to quilt like some of these longarm quilters :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Libby9/10/07, 7:20 AM

    Looks great - that's a lot of machine to corral and get used to all in one session. What fun to receive a gift for a return visit of fun . . . enjoy *s*

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yvonne9/10/07, 9:19 AM

    I think your quilt is wonderful and you did a very nice job on the quilting. What a sweet hubby you have...enjoy your spree.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Laurie Ann9/10/07, 9:19 AM

    Oh yea! Love that pattern you came up with your strings. Very cool! And your LA quilting looks great to me!

    ReplyDelete
  7. jovaliquilts9/10/07, 11:38 AM

    Love the layout of the string quilt! One day I plan to try the longarm at our local LQS and I hope they are as sweet at the ladies at your shop. And what a darling husband you must have!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous9/10/07, 2:30 PM

    Sounds like DH had a better time in Florida than you did!!

    (I think your quilting is wonderful, first effort or not.)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Karen (Misiz C)9/10/07, 6:40 PM

    I love the colors and layout of your string blocks. Did you post it in the HeartStrings photo gallery? Hope so! =)

    Glad you had a fun experience at the shop. Your meandering hearts add a bit of whimsy. Nice job!

    ReplyDelete
  10. atet9/10/07, 10:04 PM

    What a great quilt for heartstrings and Project Linus. And what a fantastic DH. I am catching up on my blog reading -- so haven't had a chance to say how much I liked the quilts you worked on for the little twin girls -- great work as usual!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Tracey @ozcountryquiltingmum9/11/07, 5:40 AM

    I would be very proud of a dh who thought of that for me!!
    I like your quilting, great idea getting to try it out by doing some quilting with it, Tracey

    ReplyDelete
  12. Jeanne9/11/07, 8:56 PM

    Elaine, I've admired your strings quilt both at Heartstrings and here. It is so pretty! Your quilting looks very good to me. If you didn't mention that you were practicing, I wouldn't know. How nice of your DH and the gals at the shop to gift you another shopping adventure. Enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
  13. meggie9/12/07, 12:25 AM

    Your quilt looks wonderful to me!
    nice work, & such a nice layout.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Carole9/12/07, 4:43 AM

    The quilt turned out nice! It's great that you have access to a long arm! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous9/12/07, 4:58 AM

    While I love quilting on my 6500 also, I don't love the surprises I sometimes find when I'm finished; wonky blocks from pushing them around or little hills here and there. Seems the longarm would cure that. Are you going to try it again? Would love to hear the continuing learning experience, because I'm thinking about an HQ16 or Voyager 17.
    Bluesbroad

    ReplyDelete
  16. Elaine Adair9/12/07, 4:38 PM

    Hey bluesbroad - I'm trying to respond to your comment. Do you have an e-mail address?
    Elaine Adair

    ReplyDelete
  17. Rose Marie9/13/07, 2:32 PM

    You are braver than me! What you've done looks good.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Helen in the UK9/15/07, 4:35 AM

    What a great quilt! How thoughtful of your DH :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Joanne9/20/07, 7:33 AM

    I love your Heartstrings quilt and the quilting isn't bad at all! And what a nice hubby!

    ReplyDelete

I no longer will accept Anonymous comments. I hope my adjustments to Comments do not cause anyone hardships.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)