Quilting machines

I have no way on earth to ever buy one, but I'm curious: Do any of you have an HQ 16 or other mid arm quilters and if so what do you think of them?

I can dream.... I think. LOL.

Sunny

Reply to
Sunny
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In looking at many quilts online I see many are machine quilted. Is the actual hand-quilting of a quilt not enjoyed by most people?

Reply to
Marie Dodge

We have many hand-quilters here, Marie; but I think for many people, time is a major factor in deciding whether to hand or machine quilt. . In message , Marie Dodge writes

Reply to
Patti

Marie, I can't hand quilt. I have lost much of the sensation in my fingertips and consequently much of my dexterity. I just can't feel something held in my fingertips. Add to that pretty severe arthritis in the joints of seeral fingers and you have the perfect machine quilter. I would like to be able to hand quilt smaller projects. Unfortunately, it's pretty much a lost cause. I can't embroider much anymore either. Feels like I'm trying to work with big, thick gloves on.

Sunny

Reply to
Sunny

I don't enjoy it and I have tried. I do enjoy machine quilting, however. Moving the fabric sandwich, the needle going up and down - it can be quite mesmerizing!

Iris

Reply to
I.E.Z.

My aunt that lives across the way from us has an HQ 16. It must be a good machine for beginners, because neither of us knew squat about machine quilting and we've turned out some darn fine quilts just since September or so. The stitch regulator and the "Groovy Boards" make it really idiot-proof for the beginner. So far it has performed just beautifully and we had virtually no after-sale support from the seller. We have not graduated to freehand or Pantograph yet.

Sherry

Reply to
Sherry

Reply to
Sherry

I love to hand quilt, even though I have pretty bad carpal tunnel attacks sometimes. Machine quilting isn't something I've done a lot of for a long time, as i much prefer to hand quilt. Having said that, though, I will probably be trying to refresh my machine quilting skills soon as I'm anticipating working on a quilt that I'll be making in a workshop through my guild as well as the one for the guild contest that's due April 4th!! No time to hand quilt that one!! I haven't even cut my first pieces, and I work slowly! The blocks on that one will be hand appliqued, however before I machine piece the borders and quilt it.

Mary in Mesa

Marie Dodge wrote:

Reply to
Cornwoman

I love the way hand quilting looks. I enjoy it when other people do it. I don't care for doing it myself. It's the physical sensation. Others tell me they enjoy it and find it relaxing. For me, time, while important, isn't the main thing. I can never get comfortable when hand quilting. If it doesn't strain my neck, it bothers my knees. I get bored. But machine quilting has a wonderful swooping free feeling as I watch the curves and designs form under my fingertips. It's the excitement of a roller coaster without the nausea and vertigo.

--Lia

Reply to
Julia Altshuler

Some of us that use to, no longer are able to...so we are grateful for the Pro's that do MQ for us.

Butterfly (who MUST get busy and find one)

Reply to
Butterflywings

I can't speak for anyone else, but I hate handwork--do it only when necessary for the appliqué pattern. To make a quilt by hand----never! I really don't even like the look of hand quilting. Just a rebel. I guess. Gen

Reply to
Gen

I used to have a tough time with hand work too Gen. I have gotten better about being able to enjoy it though. I do enjoy seeing a well hand quilted quilt though. I do a lot of machine appliqué but fine hand work is a real treasure to see. I do a bit of that. My impatience is waning a tad as I age. My biggest problem is the arthritis in my fingers. That comes and goes though so sometimes I can do handwork.

Taria

Gen wrote:

Reply to
Taria

LOL, I love this description!!

Reply to
Ms P

If I had to make or quilt by hand I wouldn't quilt at all. I will never do hand applique either. I have an iron and a sewing machine, I can applique!!

I did hand quilt my very first quilt. It made a tendon in my elbow so sore I couldn't rest my arm on that spot for a couple of months and the quilt wasn't even full size.

Reply to
Ms P

If I could, I would hand quilt everything. Time is certainly a factor, and arthritis is also a factor. But it's sooo relaxing for me. Unfortunately, since my family is so busy, not only do I not get to quilt much at all, but when I do, it's typically a quick project with a deadline, so MQing is the default. I do have one (very large) hand quilting project, though, and it keeps me SOOO warm on winter evenings!

Jenn > We have many hand-quilters here, Marie; but I think for many people,

Reply to
Jalynne

Arthritis in my fingers prevents me from hand quilting....

-Irene

Reply to
IMS

Howdy!

I love you anyway, Gen. ;-D

R/S

Reply to
Sandy Ellison

That must be it because they look too commercial to me when machine quilted. Something is lost.

Reply to
Marie Dodge

Oh I didn't think of things like that. I have very mild arthritis so can still hand quilt. What do they charge to machine quilt a full size bed quilt these days?

Reply to
Marie Dodge

Do you have one of those huge machines to do it with or do you use a regular machine?

Reply to
Marie Dodge

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