So Excited.

[Margo]

WHOO-HOO!!

[Renata]

Cheryl, so glad your machine arrived and you are already playing--have fun!

[Renata]

My Innova was delivered January 4th and I love it. All Innova purchases come with three days of training in St George Utah at Let's Quilt. Be sure you take advantage of the instruction you are given. The cost of travel and hotel in St George is minor compaired to the cost of the machine. Knowing how to use it properly and with confidence is of upmost importance. Teryl and John know what they are teaching and will make that big scary machine your friend. They have eight machines so the classes are small enough that you get some one on one attention. One morning session on turning screws and taking things apart sure helped my confidence with the mechanics of the Innova.Spouses are welcome at this session. I have had need of help from the home team,in Texas, at Innova and they are friendly and very helpful too. You (we) made a great choice in the Innova. Enjoy ! Betty Ann Seeman

[lotti]

Have fun!

Am looking forward to the results of your first "practice" specimens

[lotti]

Update. It arrived last week and DH and i spent mothers day weekend assembling. Yesterday i put on a practice sandwich and am in love with it. Thanks for the sites Margo, they are coming really handy.

Don't forget to post some pictures on the forum of your new creations, have fun with your new toy!

[lotti]

My Innova was delivered January 4th and I love it. All Innova purchases come with three days of training in St George Utah at Let's Quilt. Be sure you take advantage of the instruction you are given. The cost of travel and hotel in St George is minor compaired to the cost of the machine. Knowing how to use it properly and with confidence is of upmost importance. Teryl and John know what they are teaching and will make that big scary machine your friend. They have eight machines so the classes are small enough that you get some one on one attention. One morning session on turning screws and taking things apart sure helped my confidence with the mechanics of the Innova.Spouses are welcome at this session. I have had need of help from the home team,in Texas, at Innova and they are friendly and very helpful too. You (we) made a great choice in the Innova. Enjoy ! Betty Ann Seeman

Thanks Betty Ann, I spoke to Michael during set up, and have talked to Dan Kerwood in NY about classes. I bought mine from a MQS show in Providence, so the classes aren't included. Both Dan and Michael are extremely helpful 24/7 no matter the time of day. one of the reasons I went with them.

[lotti]

I took the plunge yesterday! I have ordered a 24" Pro Nolting on an 11" table. I got to pick the color - purple! It comes with a bunch of thread, pantographs to try and I purchased a starter set of rulers. Now I just have to prepare the area where she will be - under the sky lights in the sunroom! The bad thing is that it takes about 6 weeks - how will I wait!!!

[Margo]

Congratulations Mary Ann!! Start by educating yourself!! Check out the Nolting web site and see if they have instructional videos!! Watch them all!!

Then check out blogs by quilters whose work you admire and practice DRAWING their quilting designs. It will build muscle memory and make the learning curve much easier when you do get your machine. A good way to find blogs is to go to PINTEREST.COM and do a search for QUILTING. Click on the photos you like, then click again on the photos and sometimes you will be lead to the original quilter's info. Have fun!

It's a New Day!!

[Margo]

Congratulations, you are going to have so much fun. Definitely check out the links Margo posted. There is a lot of information out there.

[Renata]

Congratulations, Nancy! Have fun and keep us posted!

[ajclapp]

Congratulations Nancy, Cheryl, and Betty Ann! I'm looking forward to seeing posts of your progress. I can't believe my Innova has yet to be turned on after it was delivered and set up a couple months ago. I look at it occasionally and wonder when there will be enough time to make the practice worth it. Nothing like being sidetracked with too many things to do. I guess it's all a matter of priorities. Thanks for all of the suggestions Margo. I have watched their videos but it has been awhile. I will watch them again when I finally get started using the machine.

[ajclapp]

I have so many quilt tops waiting to be quilted that I will use for practice. Several of them are just to be donated anyway, so no great pressure on how they turn out. I have rented time on an HQ 16 and took a class, as well as the several hours spent with the Nolting rep, so once I understand the bobbin and threading, I'm good to go! I've developed a problem with my shoulder when quilting at my regular machine, so I'm really hopeful the long-arm will be more comfortable. The rep said that was also the case with her. Can't wait!!!!

[ajclapp]

Annis, what are you waiting for????? I also have the Innova and absolutely LOVE my Roxy. I know about being distracted, but at least set a sandwich up on it and then you can squeeze a moment or two to play and get to know your machine. Up until now I have mostly done a couple edge to edge quilts for two customers and a church raffle quilt. Now I have my husbands retirement quilt and am starting to play with free motion feathers and ruler work. I am expected to enter the quilt into a quilt show, so I'm really critical on what I'm doing even though it isn't a national show. Probably a little too critical. :-) . Oh, BTW are you a member of the innova yahoo board? Lots of good information and plenty of people to help.

[ajclapp]

I have so many quilt tops waiting to be quilted that I will use for practice. Several of them are just to be donated anyway, so no great pressure on how they turn out. I have rented time on an HQ 16 and took a class, as well as the several hours spent with the Nolting rep, so once I understand the bobbin and threading, I'm good to go! I've developed a problem with my shoulder when quilting at my regular machine, so I'm really hopeful the long-arm will be more comfortable. The rep said that was also the case with her. Can't wait!!!!

Hey Nancy, I think the main thing is to make sure your machine is set to the correct height. You still use your core muscles and shoulders and if you slouch too much you might still have back problems. plus relax. Tension can also cause problems. I know I have days that are more relaxed for what ever reason. Some days things seem to just flow better than others.bmaybe it's the caffeine. :-)

[ajclapp]

Annis, what are you waiting for????? I also have the Innova and absolutely LOVE my Roxy. I know about being distracted, but at least set a sandwich up on it and then you can squeeze a moment or two to play and get to know your machine. Up until now I have mostly done a couple edge to edge quilts for two customers and a church raffle quilt. Now I have my husbands retirement quilt and am starting to play with free motion feathers and ruler work. I am expected to enter the quilt into a quilt show, so I'm really critical on what I'm doing even though it isn't a national show. Probably a little too critical. :-) . Oh, BTW are you a member of the innova yahoo board? Lots of good information and plenty of people to help.

I do have a sandwich set up on it. The person who assembled it helped me do that and we did one computer design. It's just that it's at my new house in the country and we haven't completely moved in yet. When I get ready to start using it I need hours or days, not minutes, which is all I can spare right now. Besides I don't even remember the process for turning it on. Also it's hooked up to a computer so I can't free motion on it without making some changes. And I don't remember how to do that either. For now I don't mind not using it because I have so many other things that have to be done first. But when I do get started I expect to get a lot of projects finished quickly. I'm not a member of the yahoo board yet.