First 3 Quilts from Lady Chamberlain!

So I can't find my camera at the moment but want t show my first 3 quilts done on my Longarm.

I stippled on the first one and found it pretty easy.

The second one I did was the Kaffe windmill. I used a pantograph and it went pretty well.

The last one was the Christmas Log Cabin. I used another pantograph and it went okay but I definitely have to work on circular pattern!

I think I'm going to get back on the Free Motion Quilt Project. And Saturday I'll set up my sewing area upstairs!

Happy Stitching!

Promised Pictures

Here are some pictures from inside the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum.  Pictures were allowed but without a flash.  I also forgot my camera so had to take them on my iPhone.  Without the flash, it was hard to get a non-blurry picture.  I'm posting the best of the pictures.  Some just did not turn out well.  I hope you get the idea.

The quilts displayed were all crazy quilts.  Most of them were antique, made with silks, velvets and satins.  The embroidery was wonderful.  It's amazing to think they were mostly made by hand. 

This is the front of a two-sided quilt.

  

 

The back was just as stunning in all satins and silks.

A close-up of the back shows it was machine quilted!

The next quilt was heavily embroidered.  It also had tartan plaids.

Beautiful embroidered peacock feathers.

This is another beautifully embroidered quilt. 

Close-up if embroidered star

Embroidered 60 degree star

This is a modern quilt.  I wish he picture of the whole quilt came out.  It had beautifully embroidered trees.  The quilting was also incredible.

This is a close-up of some of the embroidery!  Lots of little surprises like the dragonfly all over the quilt.  The bow is attached by the beads.

This is a modern quilt made by Silvia Einstein, who was in the class (as a student) I took last year in Asilomar.  She is such a sweet, creative woman.  I was so excited to see one of her quilts on display!

This was made from pennants.  What a cool idea!  I used to collect these.  Who knows where they are now.

This quilt is quite stunning in person.  All different shades of red velvet strips.

 I'm sorry more of the pictures didn't turn out better.  It was a lovely exhibit and well worth the trip up to Golden from Denver.  I'll be sure to check what is on display the next time I'm in Denver.

Wanted to Post from Denver...

Have you ever had one of those days? Well, I had just a partial one. I spent a delightful day with my daughter in Golden, Colorado, even dragging her to The Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum. With all good intentions, I had my daughter take my picture with the intention of posting it but my phone would not recognize my password. It's taken me 3 days to get things straightened out so I'll try to post it now.

I Think One of My Posts is in Cyber Space!

I know I posted pictures of my new baby-Quilt Chamberlain!  But since it's not here, I post her baby pictures now!

Jeff-the technician from Innova-arrived at about 2pm on Sunday, the 23rd.  Joe and I helped him unload the truck and bring all the parts downstairs.  With our help, he said we probably saved him an hour.  I tried to stay out of his hair but couldn't help but check on him rather regularly!

All 4 girls were home, along with 2 boyfriends and 2 dogs and my dad.  Poor guy had 9 people and 2 dogs supervising!  He was such a trooper!  I did make sure he had enough coffee and water and kept him well fed!  In addition, we had Christmas Carolers come in and serenade us!  10 hours later, our newest baby was assembled!

Jeff gave me some basic instructions and I was very glad I had taken the new owners class a few weeks ago.  I'm still muddling through with the Pantovision, but slowing becoming more accustomed to it.  I am looking forward to more formal instruction with it.

I have a big learning curve with getting proficient with the machine.  My curves and circles have a lot to be desired, but I will practice until it looks good.  I decided I will do as many online classes that I can.  I started with Leah Day's Free Motion Quilt Along.  I have started with the stippling.

I had previously signed up for Craftsy's Machine Quilting Negative Space class with Angela Walters.  It's pretty good.  I was hoping it was more long arm instruction, but I do think I'll get a lot out of it.  Below are my practice pieces.

Swirls

Boxes

Circles and Swirls

Parenthesis with lines and pebbles

I also practiced my feathers.  Still not as rounded as I'd like but I'm sure it will come with practice.

I have been looking for a beginner longarm class online that gives hints on how to do things and drills to practice.  I have found one called "Skillbuilding for Free Motion Quilting" which is part of the online quilt channel QNN show, "Quilt It-the Longarm Quilting Show"  It's somewhat what I was looking for.  You need to order some pre-marked fabric to practice on.  Not sure if I'm going to do that or just practice on my own.  It's a bit sappy-sweet but I'll muscle through because I really want to get on track. 

I'm thinking Leah Day's Free Motion Quilt Along might be the best bet.  I'll let you know!

Happy Stitching!

Log Cabin Stars Top Done! Finally!

Well, it's not my favorite but the top is done as far as I'm concerned!  The picture downloaded sideways, but then again, this whole quilt has given me fits!  I took a class at Asilomar from Flavin Glover called Log Cabin Diamonds. I think I was expecting more from the class and, as my friend Ricki said, I was underclassed.  I had been at one of Jinny Beyer's seminars where we studied the log cabin block and it's variations and I was hoping for more of the same.  Didn't happen.  But I wanted to finish the quilt top.  So I plugged away, on and off, for almost 2 years.  I had A LOT of blocks that I made but didn't use.  So I'm going to use them on the back!  

So I started fooling around with one of the complete stars and built with some of the partially done diamond blocks.

. 

Then I pulled some of the tonal gradated blocks and really liked the result!  Maybe even more than the front!  It's looking like a double sided quilt!












To make it even I need add a 4 inch border around all the sides.












This will help keep me distracted (like Christmas isn't distracting enough) until the new Baby arrives!  The wrapping is done so I can get back to quilting!  Or should I say "piecing".  I'l be quilting once the machine arrives and is set up.  I was told last week that it should arrive this week!  It's Tuesday and I'm beside myself waiting for the call!

Happy Stitching!

Crazy Busy!

So things have been a bit wild!  Reader's Digest version:  Went to Houston.  Test drove Innova, Gammill, APQS and Nolting.  I went with the Innova.  Why?  The Innova and the Gammill were so close but it came down to Pantovision, dealer location and 24/7 tech support.

The past few weeks have been cleaning out the Lair.  I was back and forth as to put it in the basement or turn my living room into my studio.  I love my living room but I think the noise level if anyone else was in the house would be annoying.

I also have been to my new owner's class!  I won't have the machine for a few more weeks (probably when my girls all arrive home) but I feel like I can get a good start.  I've also been watching YouTube videos.  Can you tell I'm raring to go?

In addition, I got my Jaipur Star quilt back from the quilter.  She had it for a year!  I'm really happy with it now.  It has 4 appliques in the corners (I just looked at the picture that I took before I sent it to the quilter and realized when I ironed the appliques on the horse and the peacock changed places).  Anyway, I am embellishing the appliques. I have the horse done...  Of course, the pictures I just took and downloaded to the computer have not shown up yet.

Pictures to follow.

Happy Stitching!

Research Then Shopping in Houston

I've been a very busy girl!  I've been thinking, researching and obsessing over getting a longarm machine.  I thought buying my Viking machine was big but a longarm is BIG!!!  Would I get the hang of it, could I get good enough to sell my services, would anyone WANT to buy my services?  I have found that I really do enjoy doing surface design but get frustrated with the quilt gymnastics of getting the work surface straight without getting any creases in the backing.  I don't mind the time involved in quilting the quilt (usually about a week or so for a queen-sized quilt) but it is easy to put it aside because, well, I'm easily distracted by the next project!  Can I justify spending that kind of money?  And I hadn't even started stressing over what I wanted or needed in a machine!  I had never really used one and I know there will be a pretty big learning curve.  But then again, there was a learning curve with quilting on a home machine.  I found that when I did it day after day on a regular basis my skills improved dramatically.

So I started researching on the internet and talking to people who owned them.  The 4 I narrowed it down to were: Gammil, Innova, APQS and Nolting.  I not only went to the websites but got on their forums to see what people were talking about.  Sheryl on the Innova forum had a spreadsheet she used with questions to ask each manufacturer.  I copied some of her questions and added a few of my own.  I also researched what I should do on my "test drive".  Below is the information I asked about.  I marked the answers and gave my impressions of each aspect.  I also marked what equipment was standard or how much it cost to add it on.

Machine
Electrical Requirements
Actual working surface
Ease of movement
Stitch Regulator
Speed Control
Vibrations
Thread break sensor
Bobbin Access
Bobbin Size
Side spool holder
Controls front/back
Operator Interface
Open toe stipple foot
Open toe hopping foot
Needle up/down
One Stitch Switch
Oiling
Cleaning and Maintenance
Starter Kit
Wheel system
Frame Construction
Height Adjustment
Dead bar
Handles front/back
Adjustable handles
Fabric take-up compensator
Channel locks
Fabric pole lift
Hand wheels
Roller configuration
Motorized advance
X-Hatch ruler w/ dead bar Extended base for ruler work
Thread stand
Side Tensioning
Lights
Stylus
Laser light
Micro Handles
Panto and/or design boards
PantoVision
Bobbin Winder
Warranty
Customer Service
Training
Add ons or Upgrades What's due to come out in the future
Delivery & Set up Charge
Repairs
Basic Package
Total with computer
Overall Cost with options
How long is the offer good?

What to Stitch:

Straight line-

Front to back & measure

Side to side-make + sign  

Mark Shoo Fly Block and trace (stitch in the ditch)

How easy to change direction

Stitch 1/4” on side of design 

Stitch a large square with a circle inside

Cross hatch  How easy to stop at circle and move to the other side

Micro stipple inside circle

Loops and swirls-back and forth

Try with SR on and off.

I went down to Houston's International Quilt Festival so I could test drive the machines.  Yes, it's expensive but I'm making a HUGE investment.  To do the same thing without going to a big show I'd have to drive to Ohio, Western Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa.  We're talking gas, meals, lodging, time and wear and tear on both my car and my body!  I was able to test all 4 in a matter of hours in addition to seeing some incredible quilts!  Anyway, I was amazed at how I was treated at each of the booths.  Innova was very friendly and made sure I was able to test everything I wanted and answered every question thoroughly.  The dealer I would be working with from western Michigan was there and I got along with her very well.  I must have spent an hour and a half or so with them.  

Next, I went to the Gammill booth.  I felt very rushed.  She brushed off some of my questions and even though the dealer I would be working with was there and with another shopped, there was no effort to introduce her to me.  Maybe they work on commission.  The machine ran very smoothly but she was not forthcoming with what are in the works as far as upgrades go.  She wrote up a sales proposal and practically kicked me out of the booth.  No warm and fuzzies.

I next went to the APQS booth.  A gal in my guild has an APQS machine and likes it. As I test drove it I noticed quite a bit of vibration and it was a bit louder.  Still asked most of the questions but knew I would not be serious about it because of the vibration.

Finally, I went to the Nolting booth.  The people at the booth were very nice and willing to answer my questions but as soon as I started to test the machine I noticed the very pronounced vibrations.  I didn't even go down the full list of questions.

I wandered around the beautiful quilts in the show part of the convention center.  It was much quieter and a lot less crowded than in the vender area.  I let my mind absorb the beauty of the quilts displayed and tried to clear my head.  Most of the people I know who have longarms have Gammills except for the one woman from my guild.  They seem to be the most recognized name out there.  The biggest thing that weighed heavily on my mind was the willingness to help the customer-not only during the sales process but also the customer care.  Gammill has an 800 number that is open M-F 8am-5pm central time.  Innova bent over backwards to make me feel comfortable with the machine and made sure I could try anything I had questions about.  They also have an 800 service number available 24/7, 365.

I ended up choosing the Innova and will hopefully take delivery either the end of this month or the beginning of next month!  I'm very happy with my decision.  I look forward to working with my dealer, Bekki, and the rest of the Innova team!  I need to start setting up the business so I can buy it without the sales tax and get the advantages offered this year for starting a small business! 

The next few weeks will be spent setting up the business and getting the "Lair" ready for my new baby!  I'll have to come up with a good name for her!

Happy Stitching,

Karen