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For the most part, I enjoy machine quilting on my home machine, but lately I've been thinking that I may be ready for a longarm machine. Maybe. I guess. Who knows?
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Those machines are a little pricey unless you're planning to start a business. Since I already have a job, I probably wouldn't want to commit to another one.
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Then I read the comments on Nicole's post.
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And I think I may be ready. Maybe. I guess. Who knows?
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Hope you have a wonderful Easter!
Kim
Kim, I honestly think you do great work on your regular machine. Going to a longarm is a completely different skill set, but I bet you could tackle it easily. Given that your business is quilting you need to think of it as another tool in your arsenal, albeit an expensive one. Happy to help if you have any questions.
ReplyDeleteTerri (threadtales)
wow, you inspire me to branch out...love your machine quilting....and yes...a long arm would be wonderful!!
ReplyDeleteYou do amazing machine quilting on your home machine. Thanks for the tip on adjusting tension.
ReplyDeleteHey that's a great idea for tension testing! I always start with a sample square but it's not always exactly what I'm quilting on, so now I'll cut my batting just a little bigger thanks!! I know what you mean about the long arm, I quilt on my domestic also, but have had the long arm lust here and there. My problem is a small house, the only rooms it could go in are occupied by my kids and I don't think they'd take to kindly to being displaced by a long arm lol!! I have recently been looking at some of the mid-arms, and think that may be the way I will go....someday :) You do beautiful quilting!!
ReplyDeleteYour quilting is better than some of the longarm quilts I have seen. It goes to show you, it's not the machine but the one that runs it. AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteI think lots of us would like to have a long arm machine but they are a big expense.
ReplyDeleteI like the collage of quilts in your header. The one with the houses interests me.
Your quilting is beautiful! That is the way I learned to test tension when I rented a LA~ but make loops because then you can easily see if there is any pulling in the loops. ;-) Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI think you may really need a longarm machine - is your birthday close?, could you use it as a tax deduction for your quilting business?, could use it for research for another book?, could it be used as inspiration on your blog? - just sayin'!! Really though, maybe you could contact a longarm machine company and influence them with your publishing status?? Maybe you could do some promoting for them somehow? The wheels are moving in my brain for a way to get you a longarmer! I really think you could do beautiful work with it - your regular machine quilting is amazing! Oh the possibilities are just endless! Can you tell I'm excited for you?!
ReplyDeleteyour machine quilting is wonderful
ReplyDeletehmmmm a long arm would be amazing, maybe you need to think about it
love those tax write offs!
kathie
WOWSER! Your machine quilting on your home machine is awesome...I'll bet you would do amazing longarm quilting!
ReplyDeleteI've told you before how wonderful your quilting is using you DSM...all above agree! Longarming is a huge expense....huge. One of the best reasons I love mine is for my OWN quilts. Having one has also limited my piecing time for my OWN quilts though. It isn't just the expense of the longarm but the patterns, batting, thread etc. I know you would be awesome at longarming. Do you have the time?
ReplyDeleteWow...your quilting without a longarm is amazing...I've been trying not to read the comments on Nicole's post...so I don't want a long arm even more...maybe one day...but again, I think I'd have to quilt for others to be able to afford it...!
ReplyDeleteWell, if I could quilt as good as you on my domestic, I would be over the moon..I love your quilting...!
ReplyDeleteJulia ♥
As everyone else has siad, your quilting is very special. And you do it on a DSM! Wow! Thanks for the link to Nicoles blog, there's some grea comments to put into the mix, I've been having the same thoughts lately, but space is a serious issue, and I love my table top frame that works for me now. Lots to think about. Play with plenty of machines, and do what's right for you :)
ReplyDeleteHi! I highly recommend a longarm! I have had my HQ16 for about 5 years - best investment!! I don't do it as a business, but I make a lot of quilts and I love being able to finish them myself - easily! I love this aspect of quilting. Yes, longarms can be expensive, but there are also the mid-arms which are not nearly as pricey for those on us not in business!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to test your tension! I don't always have a lot of backing but maybe I'll have to change that. Thanks for the great tip.
ReplyDeleteI bought a Gammill Premier three years ago for my own use. It has the smaller 10 ft table. I occasionally quilt for others but I love the convienance of having my own longarm.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're back. You know how wonderful I think your quilting is. I totally agree with all of the above. You have a true talent for many things.
ReplyDeleteWow! I had no idea that your quilts were quilted on a home sewing machine! Your work is fabulous; I would have thought that you had a longarm. I'm sure looking forward to your new book!
ReplyDeleteYour work is amazing! Let's keep each other posted as to what we learn while doing our longarm research. I probably won't be ready to buy until October.
ReplyDeleteYour quilting is so lovely! I can only imagine what you'd be able to do on a long-arm machine!
ReplyDeleteYou do nice quilting. You'd be great at a longarm. They are alot of fun.
ReplyDeleteOh Wow....yes...I am right where you are about the long arm.....I have been researching...and believe it or not...my dhubby is encouraging it.....????...I will be VERY sure before I decide though!!
ReplyDeleteIf you can afford one then buy one! Are you kidding? It will be fabulous! Having said that your quilting on the home machine is spectacular. Ann :-)
ReplyDeleteHow do you adjust your tension. It looks perfect. Today I finished my first quilt on a short arm which has a stitch regulator. The stitch length and tension were far from perfect. Any more tips?? BTW love your book.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, how do you get those perfect stitches? Are any of your secrets in your book?
ReplyDeleteKim, your quilting on your DSM is beautiful...you do such a good job from the pattern designing to the piecing and quilting. A longarm is a big expense and it is huge, BUT you will be so GOOD with it!
ReplyDeleteThe machine quilting looks wonderful. To me the knowing what to quilt is the hardest part of machine quilting..looks like you have it mastered.
ReplyDeleteWow - gorgeous quilting, Kim! The hardest part for me is wrestling the bulk through my machine, which is why I am also considering buying a longarm after reading Nicole's post! I would only quilt for myself, however!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
If I could do that kind of quilting on a DSM I doubt I'd think of buying a longarm. Of course, I would need some artistic ability to quilt like that on a DSM! lol Love the tension-checking idea.
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