Tuesday, January 8, 2008

I'm so excited.......!

Do your remember the The Pointer Sisters' song? Perhaps I'm dating myself! lol Well anywho, I am so excited and I just can't hide it! Yes mam! I'm making head way in my quilt production world! Let me clue you in!

I have been lacking mojo for quite some time. I really could not figure out what it was all about. Then it dawned on me what the problem could be, the piles and piles of quilts blocks "in waiting". You see, I leave a potential quilt in blocks for easy storage and also to avoid puckering from having sat sandwiched for a long time.

I tend to do my machine quilting on a domestic sewing machine and since I work mainly in queen and twin, it can take me a long time to finish a quilt. Sometimes, a quilt really only requires an elaborate pantograph and nothing more. However, it is something I cannot do on my DSM. I guess you can say that I custom quilt all of my quilts! So, I tend to leave possible tops into blocks for easier storage. When I have completed one quilt, I piece blocks and start machine quilting a new one. It is quite a tedious process. Meandering and other basic stuff is fun but not always my preference for machine quilting.

I have been coveting (well perhaps lusting is a better choice of words lol) a long arm for quite some time. However, we will be doing some major renovations this spring. Our home is 150 + years old, which means lots of plaster and dust. It would not be an ideal condition for such a delicate machine.

What to do, what to do to get rid of the pile of quilts in waiting?


Cowles Quilting Machine offers long arm machines for rent. Before I can rent one, I must take a 3 hours long course, which I have booked for this Thursday January 10th!

You cannot imagine how excited I am! The pile will finally go down and I can concentrate on making more quilts!

I truly believe that clutter impairs one's ability to create. It was difficult for me to move on knowing that I had so many beautiful quilts in waiting! At last, I will have these beauties available soon enough! Well, sooner than previously thought! ;o)

Thank you for sharing in my excitement. I really cannot wait for Thursday to arrive!

Have a great day every one!

22 comments:

kate said...

Have a great time Thursday. There's some learning curve, but SO worth taking the time...it's a totally different experience when you can actually see your quilt as it's quilted instead of having it bunched up under the machine. Have fun!!

Thimbleanna said...

Oh! HOW exciting! I would LOVE to be able to rent a longarm machine. No matter how I calculate it (short of going into business which I don't want to do) I just can't justify the price of a longarm. Renting one would be the PERFECT solution! Lucky You -- have a great time with it! Looking forward to seeing all of your finished quilts.

Patti said...

Oh, you are going to have so much fun! Just don't be too hard on yourself. Like anything else there is quite a learning curve on the longarm. Each quilt you do will be better than the one before. You'll find this so very satisfying!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I understand why you are so excited ! You are very lucky ! A long arm is my dream, but my house is too small and the price too high... so that will remain a dream...
Can't wait to see your first quilting !

May Britt said...

Oh..how fun. I know you must be doing a happy dance now.

Darlene said...

Wahoo!!!!!
I'm so excited. I'm about to loose control and I think I like it! I'm singing with you! LOL

I couldn't agree more - clutter definitely impairs our minds. It's like a big anchor around our necks. Ugh!

I'm going to dance across the desert for you - Wahoo!!!!!

Darlene said...

oops - should have been "lose" :-)

Libby said...

Oh how exciting . . . can't wait to hear all about the class and to see your beautiful quilts.

atet said...

What a great idea -- one of our local(ish) shops offers a similar rental -- I really do have to think about taking their class. Let us know how it goes! Thanks so much for the wonderful photos of Penn. What a fun trip! And I love the quilting design you came up with for the winter wall hanging you are working on!

Elaine Adair said...

One of our quilt shops DOES rent out the use of their LA machine and helps with the process. Of course, it's a great way to sell one also, but I'm guessing it would be about $60-$80 to 'do' a good-sized quilt. This would be a lot less than a LA machine. For me, I don't like to stand much, and if I DID own one, I would feel compelled to quilt a LOT, taking some of the fun out of the whole project.

Have fun learning on that machine! You are lucky to have that option available.

Red Geranium Cottage said...

Well that's one way to finish up some of your projects. WOO HOOO I'm excited for you. Your gonna love it.

Sweet P said...

I'm so excited for you, even jealous. I wish I could find a store around here that would rent their long arm out. I guess I'll have to look harder.

Have tons of fun and be sure to share your experience with us. Of course you will, why am I even asking?

Wendy said...

Oh my I'm very excited for you. I have the same dilemma with so many quilts to be quilted. That's exciting to be able to rent the machine and get them done...wahoo. And I agree too much clutter impairs our ability to create....hey now that's my problem.

Anne Heidi said...

That just sounds so awesome- have a great time! Can't wait to see the results :-)

Misty said...

I had no idea you could rent long arm machines. What a good idea! I hope you have a great time using it. It seems like it would be so much more enjoyable to quilt on.

I really enjoy reading your blog and seeing what projects you're working on. In addition to the beautiful quilts, the stitcheries you've done have also inspired me to look into getting some stitching patterns.

Helen in the UK said...

What a great opportunity to rent a long arm. Not only will you get to finish up lots of UFOs, but you'll also have a really good idea about whether owning one yourself is a good idea and the features that are important to you. Look forward to seeing lots of finished quilts emerge :)

Denise (Nour) said...

Hi! I'm also from upstate NY/Montreal but now in Saudi Arabia. I just stumbled across your blog. Very interesting! The pics of amish country are beautiful. Thanks!

Unknown said...

Well Thursday is over, I am excited to hear how it all went. What a great opportunity to be able to rent a machine, I wonder if they would allow me to rent one LOL

Cheryl said...

Can't wait to hear how it went! Now you will get those projects done that you have been wanting to!
Happy Friday to you.

Anne Ida said...

No wonder you are excited! Hope you have lots and lots of fun at the course, and that you get to tackle that pile :o)

HAve a great weekend :o)

Patty said...

What a great solution for you. Can't wait to see all those finished projects

Alison said...

Wow, I wish they had a service like that here.

Have fun learning!

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