readerwhiz wrote:
Where do you live? There are several big shows for longarms and machine quilting in general. This week in Manchester, NH is MQX; next month in Overland Park, MO is MQS. In the fall, there's Innovations in the Tacoma, WA area and Quilting with Machines in Ohio(I think). Also, there are now longarm classes at the International Festival in Houston, TX in October.
So, depending on where you live and what you're looking for, there are plenty of opportunities to take classes.
HTH,
eileenkny

I got a Gammill Optimum Plus in January and absolutely love it. It is so easy to use and does a great job. I am very interested in learning some new techniques as time goes on. Using the Gammill is so much better than my previous machine (Pfaff Grand Quilter) just because of the throat size alone!

I own a Janome embroidery 9500, a Janome 1600 long arm and a King size Little Gracie Frame with the wooden stencils. I don't like the frame at all, it is stored away. It doesn't have enough quilting space for me, I gotta have "my" Quilting freedom!
I use my long arm on a large desk up against the wall with a long table set aside the desk then a small table up beside my chair it is also my ironing table. I pin all my quilts. pinning the back down into the carpet with special pins then I layer the cotton batting on top then add the quilt top. "I would have marked my quilting pattern before pinnning". I use over a 1,000 pins for my king size quilts. I sit down in the middle of the quilt pinning from middle outwards on all four sides. 4-6 hours of pinning! Pinning is my least favorite part of the whole process of making quilts,it's the darn pin pricks! I don't mind it some days. Quilting is my favorite part of the whole process and I enjoy doing bindings too. It can take me One - Two days to quilt my king size quilts. I do Love my Janomes. Though I'm amazed with the Gammils, I would Love to own one. Though it's way to much money for me to not have a buisness of my own in quilting. Gammil owners you are very Lucky!
Dream Machines

I've got an HQ16. Although I'm a "newbie", I really do enjoy this machine. No problems at all - love it!

I looked at the Millie and even test drove it at MQX. Really nice machine. I just can't justify spending that much when I could retrofit my baby. I made an expensive mistake the first time around, so I hope this will work for me.

I have a Millennium and so far I love it! I've only had it since May 11th, so am still practicing. What a great machine!

Raggie

I have a Gammill Classic Plus. She is green with black overlay. My original GC+ was five years old and I did a trade at the Chicago festival last year. Sooooo glad I did! I had stitching problems with my old one and always chalked it up to operator error. My new one sews like a dream!

I went to MQX and decided, after a lot of thought, to have the Intellistitch taken off and the Plus added. After all, I do love my machine and don't want to sell it.
So my signature will be:

Eileen Keane, mailto:mpkemk@frontiernet.net
http://www.designingquilts.com
Gammill Classic Plus
Maybrook, NY

Isn't that cool?

I have an A-1 Elite. Her name is Elsie May and I love her. She tolerates me and my newbie attempts at LAing , but we'll be a good team eventually.

Elsie May says "Hi Corky" .

Jorja

I have an A-1 Elite, and like Paule, I just love it! Just got her in March, 2007. For the three years before, I had a Gammill Premier.

Randi

I also have a Voyager 17 on a Hinterberg Stretch Frame. I've only done 4 quilts on it and am in the process of getting #5 on the frame

Since I'm not planning on quilting as a business, this size and price should be great for me for many years to come.

I am taking a couple of LA classes at AQS and can hardly wait to gain confidence!

JOY

I have a 2001 Gammill Classic, "Gammie". I love my Gammill. he purrrrrrr's for me.

I have a Nolting 18" and looking to upgrade.

I have a 2000 Gammill Classic retrofitted with ISTurbo(cl). Although I love my machine and we have bonded over the years , I'm open to looking at other brands when I go to MQX next month.

Eileen Keane, mailto:mpkemk@frontiernet.net
http://www.designingquilts.com
Gammill Classic w/IS Turbo(cl)
Maybrook, NY