Look At Me! I'm Quilting!

Ha ha! I know, I know--wrong side of machine, nothing loaded, cords in the way. This was moments after bringing my new LAQ set up into the living room where it will now live. But I'll be zooming along soon.

I got a good price on an 18 year old APQS Ultimate II long arm quilting machine and 12 foot table. Everything I've found online about this machine indicates it is a solid workhorse. We rented a large truck to get it home. Cleaned it up.  (See that bobbin area? It was really gunked up with a thick layer of oily, dusty stuff.) And bought a bunch of sundry items to get me all set up the way I want to make quilting fun and efficient. Bringing the price of that bargain up a bit, but we all knew that would happen, right?

I spent time online trying to find out how to start. You know, stuff like what you do between loading the quilt and actually quilting?  Which side of the machine do you work from? Do you have to hold the thread tails to start? Do you lock the stitching or just start moving? Little things I'll only need answered once, but are so important to someone who has never done more than play on a long arm already set up to go one time for a couple minutes many years ago....

Got my answers, so now I can roll on. I have stitched one line on a practice quilt I loaded. But, I discovered I really need those side clamps and straps that are missing, or I have to keep one hand holding the side of the quilt while the other "drives." So once I get some Velcro to make straps, I'll be good to go.

Though having side clamps is all I MUST have right this minute to do some practice quilting, I've decided to set myself up like shown by Sharon Schamber on YouTube. I've been shopping to get canvas, muslin, dowels, clamps, key rings, and Velcro. When I have the Velcro in hand I'll be able to hook up side leaders, then look out!

Also, I've just got to say the folks at APQS are wonderful. I'm sure there are lots of great machines out there, and great companies supporting their long arm customers. But APQS is getting nothing from me right now except a relatively small sale on some replacement parts and accessories I need. But they seem committed to making me feel every bit as valued as a person who just bought their most expensive set up. They must know that a happy, loyal customer is likely to look at them first when upgrading, and that is not all that common these days. So if you are shopping around, even for a used machine, I can give them my hearty endorsement for their warm, considerate and generously helpful customer service.

Now to get this set up put together!