New Acquisitions for my New-to-Me LongArm
Some of you want me to write about the search for a Long Arm for me. I figure it’s time to start with a least a little bit of something.
Before I actually start that, I’ll show you what I got today in a couple of packages.
I ordered these things - one was recommended by at least two of you - so I thought I’d try this one - and if it isn’t good enough, I can “up the quality” and get a more expensive one.
What is it?
It’s a telescoping mirror.
But until I actually see how much I would use it - I will go with a medium cost one. They go from about $3 to almost $100 for these long-handled mirrors that are used to examine underneath cars.
The cheapest ones didn’t have lights on them, and I thought that would prove handy way down underneath a machine and quilt, so I didn’t get the cheapest one. This one was between $10 and $12 depending on the day and the exchange rate.
Then after watching the long arm quilting diva on You Tube that I watched, I decided to try to find some variegated thread that maybe I could use on some quilting once I get the machine - just to see. It’s not so easy to find variegated thread. I know from doing embroidery, it isn’t actually all that easy to use, either. But, maybe I can play around with it.
This is a type of thread produced in Poland - 5000 meters- poly. I liked the feel of it once I got it so I went on line to try to find the other colors they have in it. :) You know how it goes…. I know if this were all cotton King Tut it would be quite expensive, but this is poly and it’s about $5 for this amount of thread.
We were tentatively scheduled to get the machine on the day you are reading this (Friday), but there were a lot of possible things that might delay it - it was a tentative date. For one, I decided to wait to pay for it til after I had my residency card in hand - so that delayed their getting started on getting it into their shop. But the reason they sent was that the courier didn’t come and get it on the pallet where it is all set up and waiting for them on Thursday. Apparently they are using a company to move it to our house - at which time they will come and set it up for me. We wanted my husband here when they do that. As I’m writing this blog post, he’s not quite home yet - had a problem since he ran out of diesel fuel about 1.5 hours from home and had to wait for help. So, not having them deliver it tomorrow (Friday) is fine by me. I think we need to clear out the path to the basement a little bit better for the sake of those carrying it down the stairs and around the corner to the room. It’s not terrible, but we could clear it out better. The “room” is fine - completely empty - waiting for the machine before I put anything else in it. :)
I spent the day helping a lady named Oksana get her van full of stuff to go back to Ukraine. She is from Ukraine - and first we bought some food and chemicals (cleaning, hygiene) and then a few hours later she came to the church and I let them fill their van to the end with quilt bundles.
We want to get these on their way. I think we are fine now as I can see a realistic way to get them all on their way by the middle of November. This is where the room at the church stands right now.
I suspect this is between 250 and 300 quilt bundles here. Between the next two loads my husband is taking, we should be able to see these all go to their new homes.
Back to the Long-Arm.
Years ago when I decided I wanted one - there were 2 conditions I had.
I was going to wait to buy til I could afford robotics.
I wanted to be able to let the machine do the work if I want it to. This doesn’t mean I don’t want to learn to use it free motion - but I wanted to be able to let it run because I’ve seen some adorable designs I’ve wanted to use.
I wanted it to be a local machine.
For example, I didn’t want to run to the United Kingdom and pick up one that no one around here could help me with or one that no one here has. When Brexit happened, that kind of took that option out anyway, as it became hard to import things. I also didn’t want to ship one from the USA and be totally on my own with regards to anything with it. Both things were sort of options if “any long-arm was ok”.
And that was it. Obviously I wanted one that has good reviews and at least generally seemed like a good machine.
Since I am a “long arm newbie” I don’t have enough experience or expertise to have any other requirements. I don’t know enough to even ask good questions.
And there you are. My husband got home while I’ve been writing this blog post so I’ve stopped to talk and now it’s getting late.
So, I’ll stop for now. But just a hint - on the Polish market are only 5 brands of machines that are even sold here - Bernina, Juki, Janome, HandiQuilter, and recently APQS has been added to that list.
And that’s it for today. It is starting. I have a pile of tops ready to play with - but I do need to go to the shop and buy a bolt of batting so I have plenty to learn with.
Thanks so much for coming along with me on this journey. More next time.
Have a great day wherever you are reading this!
Feel free to browse the site.