Sally Said Sew

A couple of months ago I purchased a used HandiQuilter HQ16 set up to replace Patience, my Voyager 17 longarm machine. Why the change? I couldn't get my stitch length regulator to work properly and was getting frustrated with my machine. After doing some research, it seemed that this was an issue from the start. I could upgrade my electronics and stitch length regulator but that would cost me several thousand dollars. An investment I wasn't willing to make. On a whim, I started searching on craigslist for a "new" machine. That is when I found Hope. Yep, I named her Hope because I hope to improve my longarm skills on her.  I figure the cost of buying this set up less what I will sell my Voyager for is about the same as what the upgraded electronics would have cost. "Hope" I was able to transfer over my Red Snapper system, light bar and batting cradle that I made. I float my batting and like to keep pet hair off of it. The clear vinyl cradle does the t...

I finished up two more quilts to send off to Quilts Beyond Borders . I just love doing these quilts. Good for practicing long arm sewing and they go to a good cause. I learned my Voyager machine does not like to run a different and heavier thread in the bobbin. The pink quilt gave me a fit but I persevered and got it done.  I wanted to use a darker thread on the back and all I had was regular Coats & Clarks sewing thread. I used it but will not do that again! Too much shredding with the top thread and adjusting the tensions was a royal pain until I got it dialed in. Time to sew up a couple more tops when I return to Minnesota tomorrow.

My Voyager longarm sewing machine is named Patience because I realized early on I needed plenty of it as I was learning a new skill. Today she got her very own "tattooz". I saw these pretty decals called Tattoo Elementz at Urban Elementz where I buy alot of my pantographs. I couldn't resist putting my own touch on my machine. I like how they turned out.

My mom sent me a quilt top and all of the fixins' to quilt together on my Voyager machine. I had a few issues but still good practice. I found I prefer to use an 80/20 batting. It is less puffy and easier to work with than the poly I received. Good to keep learning these things! Plus I enjoy seeing the tops my mom makes! I believe she is calling this one "Boxes of Treats for Someone Sweet". Loaded on the Frame Close up view of a Block Finished Quilt

I volunteered to make and donate two quilts for Quilts Beyond Borders , a charity that provides quilts to children in underserved areas of the world. I found this group through my Yahoo! Hinterberg Quilters group. I thought this would be a perfect way to practice on my new Voyager longarm quilting machine. My first two quilts are finished and ready to send. I found the Dr. Seuss themed fabric on the 50% off rack at the Bay Window Quilt Shop in Perham, MN. The inspiration was a panel that was supposed to be made into a soft quilted book, but instead I inset the "pages" into a quilt using Izzy's Quilt Pattern by Katie Hennagir. I made the border around the panels wider to get a bigger overall size suitable for the QBB quilts. Are these perfect? No, but for the children who receives one, I'm sure they will think it's perfect. That is all that counts! Plus, the experience I gained using my "new" machine was well worth the effort involved. Quilts Bey...