Margo,
Thank you! It sounds like just the thing for me. I have increasingly painful arthritis in many joints of my hands and fingers, and free motion quilting is becoming more and more problematic. Oh, the joys of growing older.
Again, thank you, Margo.
MEMA

Sharon's quilt HALO is a weighted ring (8" in diameter) that has a rubbery coating which causes it to grip the fabric, rather than slide over it. The weight helps control the three layers of the quilt sandwich so that it moves as a unit under the machine needle for free motion quilting on a domestic sewing machine. I think it is especially helpful for beginners who might have trouble controlling the quilt around the needle, but it's also really good for anyone with hand issues like arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome. I find that my hands don't get as tired or my shoulders as tense when I use the halo, and I've been machine quilting on a DSM since 1992.

To use it, just position the quilt under the needle where you want to stitch, then slip one side of the halo under the presser foot so that the machine needle is in about the center of the halo. Just a little downward pressure on the sides of the halo will allow you to move the quilt where ever you need to stitch. When you get close to the halo, just stop the machine and lift the halo up to re-position it then keep sewing.

Check out Sharon's YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpmMYIDCrZw

I looked at it on her website, but the description is really limited. Could anyone of you who have the device explain to me what it does and how it's used? Appreciate any help.
Thanks,
MEMA

I bought one from Sharon when they first came out. Thank you for reminding me how much I enjoyed it.

I've had the Halo for a while, and used it to quilt a couple of quilts. I'm a fan, it keeps the work area nice & flat. I'd like a bigger working area, but maybe that's one of the things I need to work on with my machine quilting: I'm trying to lunge too far, so the Halo keeps me in line. I never thought of stacking them, one of these days I'll have to get another one & try that! Kathy B.

I also visited Sharon's booth in Houston. She is so nice and very willing to share her knowledge. We talked about the Halo and I told her I didn't have much luck with it. I didn't feel I had good control. She sat me down at the machine and stacked two Halos one on top of the other. It worked beautifully. My hands are small and I needed the extra weight to have the right control. It made a big difference. Those of you who have two of them, give this a try. Carolyn in Kerrville, TX

I had problems when I first tried it. It takes a little bit to get used to. I am working on a quilt that I have fused batting, and the design is on tracing paper. The Halo makes it much easier to grip the paper and manipulate the quilt. Just like anything else, practice.

I bought two at Paducah. Sharon was demonstrating them and let me try it. I think it does give me better control of the quilt. If I am doing a basic stipple, I don't use it.

Maggie in E. Central Illinois

I got one and haven't figured out how to work it. Sounds stupid, I know, but it seems to slow me down so much that I don't move the fabric fast enough to keep my stitches even.

I only used it for about one hour then threw it in the scrap heap of "quilting gadgets that didn't pan out."

I should try it again...

BethMI

shirlm wrote:
I got mine from Sharon when she first introduced it, but I'm sure you can get it from other places too.

Here's Sharon's site:

http://www.sharonschamber.com/shopping_cart/new_products/newproducts.htm

Thanks Jo Jo. It's going on my birthday wish list.

Where do I get one?

Shirley

I have one and absolutely love it. Yes, it is quiet heavy and that's what makes it so wonderful when you are free motioning. It also kind of grips the fabric so it doesn't slide around once you place it where you want it.

Best purchase for 2009 for me.

JoJo

Has anyone tried the Quilt Halo. I've heard it works pretty well. Is it true that it is "weighted".

Thanks!
Shirley