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Friday, June 29, 2012

100th Post!


I was going ahead with my regular posting when I realized my next would be my 100th post!  So I thought I would do something a little different than my regular quilting posts and share what I should have posted 7 months ago.  My "new" longarm machine!  It's actually a used 2009 Nolting Funquilter that I bought from the AQS show in Des Moines last fall.  I was really nervous about getting it, but I really love it and it should (eventually) pay for itself. 


My table is 14 feet long!  So I should be able to quilt about any size.  It's just long enough to barely get the vacuum cleaner through.  Some other features to note is the stitch regulator.  I confess that I have been using it a lot more than I did at first.  My old machine did not have it and learned to quilt without it.  But now I am doing designs with more detail and I feel that I have a lot better control and acuracy.  I can work my way slowly through an area and then pick up the pace.  I really like having the option of turning the stitch regulator on and off.  I also have zipper leaders with an extra zipper set to have the next quilt ready to put on.  Which rarely ever happens- I dont normally think that far in advance, but they are really nice to have.


And here is my view from the "drivers seat".  Actually there is no seat.  I stand.  I don't know how some people can sit and work on thier longarm and manage to scoot thier way down the quilt as they are quilting.  At least I think that's how they would do it...
(Guess what 2 quilts I'm going to post next!)


This was my old machine when I very first got it in spring of 2009. It was a Nustyle 228 and was traded in to Nolting.  An oldie but a goodie.  We eventually added a third set of legs in the middle of the table because the machine kept rolling towards the center.  And only 2 tubs of fabric underneath!  I don't hardly remember only having just 2 tubs.  This was just a brief moment in history before they multiplied.  There's about 4 or 5 now :) 

Anyways, here's to another 100 posts!!  I have come a long way in the last 3 years.  Thanks for reading, following, viewing, and especially for your kind comments!

4 comments:

Jean said...

Congrats on your 100th post! Love your machine. I bet it would be nice to have the stitch reg. I have an older APQS and it doesn't have a stitch reg. or front controls, so I do everything from the back. Just happy to have one, though, so I carry on with it!

Amanda said...

I would be so intimidated by a long arm! Plus we have no where to put anything that big! :)

Anonymous said...

100 posts!? My you are a busy girl! Also, LOVE the little project sitting the the jumper!! Hope Grahm is getting trained to stay out of trouble while you are quilting. I'm glad you are using the stitch regulator as I've heard that some that get it don't use it. The quilting on the ISU quilt looks awesome! You are becoming a very good long arm quilter!
~ Mom

Amy, a redeemed sheep said...

Hey, lady!! You have a great set up for your long arm!

BTW, my hubby is going with me to take the class with Bev in August. It's a one-on-one class, I guess. You do such a great job, I don't know that you need the class. =)