Sunday, February 16, 2014

Long Arm Update - it's good to go

Millennium APQS Long Arm set up

So there is my APQS Millennium Long Arm Machine, all set up - well I still need the right kind of bulbs in my lights, but otherwise, it's done. The frame is 10 feet from end to end and the front most bar - the quilt back bar - is 6 feet from the back wall. It takes up almost all of my sewing room.

Millennium APQS Long Arm set up

Lightning, the quilting dog, is pleased that he still has a cozy spot. However, the cutting table has been moved to the room next door which is currently bursting at the seams and messy beyond belief. No, I shall not be showing that one, and  tidying it is high on the to do list.

Millennium APQS Long Arm set up

This is the view from Lightning's bed. The door to the hallway is closed and you can see that if I cleaned up more of the messy closet I would have more space for my comfy chair. All that nice open space under the long arm will soon hold my scrap bins. As pretty as the floor is, I have no where else to put them, space is at a premium around here.

Millennium APQS Long Arm set up

This is the view standing at the window. I still have a nice spot to sew and the fabric can fit. The table on my Horizon is only 17" wide, as are the adjoining cupboards, so there is still room to stand and quilt at the front of the long arm. My sewing chair has wheels and is easily moved out of the way.

Quilting practice piece

Yesterday afternoon and evening I quilted on that long piece of IKEA fabric. I quilted up about 10 feet of it, just playing and learning the machine.

DSC_0168

My quilting is seriously questionable, but I have learned that the machine is fantastic to use. It will happily stitch away for hours on end, without complaint. My feet, on the other hand, are lobbying for an anti-fatigue mat.

First practice on my new Millennium Long Arm

And look, it will happily do matchstick quilting, and do it fast too. You can see I wrote my name, which makes it official. This machine is a keeper.

This afternoon, Matt and Bradie Sparrow - from Sparrow Studioz - came over to install Leader Grips for me - a system that allows you to load in your quilt back with just a snap on of a plastic grip, and I will share photos about them next time. Matt also went about and tidied up the cords, tightened the bolts, rearranged my tool box, set the timing, showed me how to adjust the tension and generally gave my assembly a passing grade. He was very polite about the quilting too, but I have a long way to go before I can quilt like he can.

I have to say that these folks are just lovely to work with and have made this purchase a dream. Matt is the APQS guy in Canada - Canadian National Sales Director - and I am fortunate to have him and his studio handy. I totally recommend them if you are in Canada and looking at a similar purchase.

I am going to go back to playing with my new machine. Tomorrow is a holiday here for Family Day so I can quilt more then too.

Oh, and my machine needs a name. Although she says Millie on the side, I am sure that is her middle name. Any thoughts on what her name ought to be? Something that fits with the industrial modern quilting that I hope she will help me to do.

Best,

Leanne

42 comments:

ittehgaps said...

Millie Vanillie! wasn't that a music group? Looking so pristine and new. Oh, if only...
Have fun getting to know her.

Vicki said...

I was thinking that her full name is Milinda, and everyone calls her Millie for short! Wow, I am so jealous. You will do great with a little alone time with Millie.

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

My Millennium is named Pete. He is Sweet Pete or Stinky Pete depending on his mood!

MariQuilts said...

I'm so excited for you.....you'll be quilting like a pro in no time at all! I never named my long arm....maybe that's my problem.

Anne / Springleaf Studios said...

I'm soooo jealous. Can't wait to see what you quilt up with this baby.

Marla said...

Thoroughly Modern Millie :)

Lisa in Port Hope said...

Hmm, do you think my husband would mind if I put one in the bedroom?...because my sewing room isn't big enough. She is gorgeous and I look forward to reading more of your courtship. A name suggestion is Lady Catherine, like our future queen :)

Razzle Dazzle Quilter said...

How exciting for you.
Name? How about thoroughly modern Millie?

Linda

Serena @ Sewgiving said...

OOh very exciting! Onwards and upwards for you and Modern Millie :)

Taos Sunflower said...

Congratulations! You're going to just love it. I have a question: do you mind sharing, when you get them, what kind of bulbs you decide on? I have my long arm in a north facing room, and on grey days, the lights are less than what I need. It's hard with the energy efficient bulbs to find ones that put out enough light, so I'm curious to know what others are using. Many thanks.

Susanbkatz said...

Oh, it's up and running! Yay!! You have so much fun ahead of you!

Little Island Quilting said...

Wow...hugely excited. No idea on names!

Teje Karjalainen said...

Hi! Looks so fantastic! I can imagine how excited and happy you are! Hugs to you and your sweet dog! x Teje

Frances Meredith said...

Wonderful to see your first stitching. Following the progress with great interest. Along with Millie, the frame and lights, did you get any other add ons?

dutchcomfort said...

It must be a thrill to finally stitch with Improv Millie! You will be a pro in no time!

Amy's Crafty Shenanigans said...

Wowiezowie - you have a new toy!!!! Have fun with it!

Catherine said...

It looks amazing Leanne, you will have so much fun with her!

Charlotte said...

that is a lot of machine! Enjoy!

Jo Jo said...

I think your quilting looks great!I Can't think of a good name though! Enjoy.

Vera said...

You should call her Matchstick Millie, lol. Enjoy!

Cindy said...

This post makes me so happy, Leanne! I am just delighted that it's in, that you're learning and that you have support near by. I love that you're spending Family Day quilting by yourself with your new best friend. Hilarious!
Hi to Lightening for me :)

Jennie said...

She's huge!!!! You are going to have so much fun playing with her!

Sarah @ FairyFace Designs said...

Wow how fantastic. I always love your quilting style anyway so can't wait to see what you do with this.

Isisjem said...

How exciting! I think you'll have a lot of fun with this!

Sew HappyNess said...

Wow. Very exciting. Names? Hmmmm I like Modern Millie but Millie May also tickles my fancy. Have fun.

Abby@ ColorBarQuilts said...

Congrats Leanne! I love the Millie machine. You are so lucky to have Matt Sparrow in your town. I used his videos on you tube for taking care of my machine and setting the height, etc. I only have a 18" Juki TL2200 QVP long arm right now (I call it my starter machine) but have had a small play with APQS machines and they are so lovely. Happy Quilting. :)

Leanne Parsons said...

What about naming her Rosie, after Rosie the Riveter? That would fit with your industrial style matchstick quilting. So excited to follow your journey with this machine. I don't have anywhere to fit one in my house, or my budget, so this is about as close as I will be getting. Have fun.

elle said...

She is a thoroughly modern Milly! Wow. The match stick quilting is amazing! What better way to spend Family Day; welcoming Milly. sew cool!

Cherie said...

I am very limited on space too. My dream is to have a long arm. I am curious how big your room actually is. It looks like it is working for you. :)

Sarah said...

Thanks for sharing this post with us (so I can live quilty-vicariously!) It's so interesting to see how it all goes together because I honestly haven't much of a clue beyond seeing the product of the longarm's work. I just know you are going to have such a great time with this machine and I think her name will come to you during the many, many hours of getting acquainted that are ahead of you.

Unknown said...

I think of women in the 1940's that kept the country on it's legs while the men were at war. Barbara, Gloria and I am very partial to Jean. My mother, and daughter's middle names. Good luck. Choose wisely.

Marci Girl said...

I just know there will be so many good things to come out of your little studio! It looks like so much fun, I know you will enjoy her for years to come!

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Oh you are going to have so much fun driving that!

Annabella said...

Oh it just looks amazing Leanne! The blue of your walls is the color I want to paint our kitchen :) Enjoy your new toy. Sending virtual pats to Lightening.

Katy Cameron said...

Have fun with the new toy! I'm a little worried Lightning looks a bit stuffed in that photo though ;o)

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

Looks like you're going to have a whale of a time on that!! How about calling her Joyce, after the author of the Milly Molly Mandy stories? (It's the best I can come up with at the moment...I'll keep thinking!)

pennydog said...

Millie could be short for Mildred?

Michele said...

Congratulations. You are going to have so much fun with her. And I know that you will figure out the perfect name. It may take time like it did for me but at some point, one will feel just right.

Benta AtSLIKstitches said...

Soooo lucky!!! She looks like a thoroughly modern Millie! Xx

Handcraft Fun said...

Something regal, if a bit vixenish... Lady Chatterly, or Marie Antonette (sp) ... Queen Elisabeth...Catherine the Great... Something worthy of how majestic she is!

LethargicLass said...

I'm late reading blog posts this week, but how about Tin Can Millie?

SE20 said...

Millie Molly Mandy?