Mirabelle--I too agree another pretty block. :)

MiraB ... another one chiming in on the lovely-ness of this block, and your many others! That line of fabrics is absolutely beautiful and we all know it's going to be stunning in the completed works!

QuiltE I sew on a Pfaff Expression 3.0 and my embroidery machine is a Pfaff Creative Vision 4.0. I love Pfaff machines, I did a detour and purchased a Janome 6600 but wasn't happy with it from the moment I bought it home. Sold it to a friend and went back to the Pfaff.

Thanks MiraB ... I have the 6600 and have been quite pleased! It's the "best" machine I've ever had, so that could be part of it. The only thing I don;t like about it ... I know I want a bigger throat so I can really get at doing the FMQing without the limitations that creates. With that comes the interested in a BSR (or whatever each brand call theirs), though I hear a lot of people say they are just trouble! I don't know anything about Pfaff or what features yours would have.

I think a lot of the time the love/hate for a machine can come from the service and support we get from our dealers. I am fortunate to have a really good dealer locally. They just represent Janome and Bernina, so it'd be hard for me to consider others ... though, that doesn't mean I will not. I would just have to have the confidence that a different dealer would be every bit as good. And another consideration, other dealers are going to be at a further distance, so not as convenient for drop by Q+As!

I think you might be best getting a HQ16 or the Tiara, QuiltE. That way you can do your piecing on the Janome, and your quilting on the other. I know you can keep both machines busy, when you get off your "fair" duty. ;) I don't have expensive machines, but I use one for piecing and my Baby Lock with the larger throat for quilting. Works for me! (However, I would love to have Jan's HQ16!!!!!)

I have been thinking about getting a Janome 6600 for a 2nd machine. I have a Jem 760 and it is great but a little small sometimes. Plus DD (almost 11) has used my machine enough that she can tell a difference when using her $100 machine and she wants something better. :) Now that there is a new bigger machine out for Janome I am going to check with my local dealer and maybe get a traded in 6600 to save a little money.

MiraB .... I forgot to ask ... what was it you didn't like about the 6600 when you had it?

JeanieG ... I did some phoning around the other a day about the Sweet 16 and the Tiara. The lady I called about the Tiara knew nothing about it and called the company and they wondered how she even knew about it as it has not been released in Canada. The rep finally admitted that they have a meeting coming up in the next couple of weeks to intro the Tiara. They can pre-order at that time, though it will not be open for sale til Feb! ... As for the Sweet 16s, I did find several that sell them, but none with one. They only bring in one at a time because they are so costly. Oh right, buy it sight unseen! And get ready for this ... they don't order til they have an order for three machines! And that was the same story at all three shops .... all a considerable distance from me. I'm still interested, but!!!!

The dealer I use, used to sell one (forget which or both?).1

CarrieM ... the 6600 has been a great machine and I really do love it! While the throat seems huge compared to what you are working with, it really is limiting if you are wanting to get into quilting bigger pieces. I know lots of people say they quilt queen/king quilts on it ... but they must be fighting with it to make it happen. Even when doing 40x40 square, I feel I am not doing it comfortably and totally hesitate to consider big projects for now. I know you'll really like the 6600 for what it can do. I can also tell you will be quilting for a long time to come, and if you're wanting to do more machine quilting than you have been, you might want to consider what else is available.

JeanieG what beautiful blocks, love the little sheep

QuiltE the main problem I had with the 6600 was the feet, if I wanted to change feet I had to get out the screwdriver and undo it and then screw the new foot on. With the Pfaff it is a 10 second job to just unclip one foot and clip on another. The other annoyance (for me anyway) was if I wanted to use the walking foot I had to adjust the needle position for my 1/4 inch seam allowance. With the pfaff just clip on my 1/4 inch foot which is a dead 1/4 inch. The Pfaff also has what is called ITD which is a built in walking foot, just clips down at the back of your foot and again just unclip it out of the way when you don't need it. I always have my walking foot on even when piecing, just don't use it when doing FMQ. I also use my open toed applique foot when I am quilting in the ditch as I can see exactly where the needle is landing.
Phew hope that answered everything.
Wow I must have it good over here, the Sweet Sixteen dealer, also the Pfaff dealer has one set up in her shop if you want to try it out, she also has a Avante HQ16 (I think that is what it is) set up and you can hire it out to quilt your quilt tops. My DD and I are quilting her Jamestown Landing on the 25th of this month.
Another surprise is next

These are two medallion quilts I have finished.
the first one has a machine embroidered centre and then I just did what I wanted for each round until I had it at a good size. I had this quilted by my new longarmer:rolleyes: and sewed the binding on yesterday
The second is a pattern matched LeMoyne Star, it was a pattern but I only used the centre medallion of the original pattern, then turned it on point added borders and lots more stars, it looks nothing like the original design. This was quilted by my old longarmer and she had it for more than 16 months. (that's why she is the old one):thumbdown:

Beautiful quilts!! I love them all. Love the quilting details that show in the second one.

MiraB ... thanks for the machine info. I can see the joys of not having to screw on/off for changing feet. Some have the quick attach, but not so many and yes, I do find it annoying but thought that was just life! Likewise, the re-setting of the needle for the 1/4" ... yes I hate that! I must admit sometimes I am lazy and don't change a foot when I should!! :) Things to consider and watch for as I make my decisions. I must admit I was *shocked* that these stores did not have the S16 on the floor for demos. My Janome/Bernina dealer have everything there and they move you around from one to the other as you consider machines, so I thought that would be the norm ... but after four stores, nope! I stopped calling at that point, as I figured if they don't keep them in stock, then how much do they really know about operations for support and teaching me? Likewise when it comes to service?

OMG ... I can see why your "last" LAQ is your last! 16 months ... you should have added that the recent thread about how long for LAQ! Both are beautiful quilts ... what a showy SAW Lemoyne! the white in the print really makes the stars dazzle. Great way to include the virgin fabric. It frames it all up nicely. Your embroidery RR is gorgeous too. Any destiny for these?

MiraB ... have you thought of a LA for yourself? And do you do any hand quilting?

Jeanie, I love your blocks; you're so clever with your fussy cutting. You are welcome to come and play with my Sweet16 anyday (there's even room for you to park an RV so we can have the RV party at my house LOL).

Mirab, beautiful quilts. I love doing medallion style but always manage to get one border that doesn't want to fit. Very pretty!

QuiltE a longarm is on my wish list, just have to have a house big enough for it:D, they do need more than one bedroom for space.
Yes I have tried hand quilting, I made my DS an Around the Twist quilt when he was a teenager, took me 6 weeks to piece it (I worked full time back then) and 2 years to hand quilt it. That has been my one and only foray into the hand quilting world. I could only quilt in the winter as the summer months were just too hot 42 celsius most days for months on end. Thank goodness for airconditioning.
Thank you everyone for your kind words..
QNS the second medallion is destined for our bedroom, DH painted the room more than 12 months ago in anticipation of this quilt being finished, and I think DD has claimed the first one, she loves pink

oh, Mirabelle, it was QuiltE wantin' to know the destiny of the quilts not I. They are beautiful quilts, so well done, they look like a picture in a quilt magazine of the big winners!

Jeanie, I love your blocks for the week; perfect cutting on the horses and the sheep are so cute!!

Different machines do perform the same, yet different for the user to decide...just cannot see that price for a LA, especially the Bernina top model at $10000.00 That would take several years to pay for itself...which I wonder if there's enough years left in this old mare to spend $$$$$ that we don't have in such an investment.

Jeanie--your blocks this week turned out great!

Mirabelle--pretty quilts. I really like kaleidoscope quilts. I've made one lap, have one started for our bed, and another on the "to do" list.

QE--Thanks for your input on the 6600. I have a friend that lives up the road just a mile and I have been thinking about asking if I can use her machine to see what I think before buying one. I do mostly QAYG because I have issues with my right elbow/wrist and don't have the strength to do FMQ...even small projects irritate it. Some day I would like to have a LA but don't have the space right now (like Mirabelle).

Jeanie..what an invitation! Even a place to park your RV. Quite a drive to get there I must admit. I love your blocks this week.
Mirabelle, you are a artisan/craftsman! What beautiful quilts. Did you use your EQ at all for designing or just let the quilt tell you what to do next? I do some of that but the results aren't always spectacular.
QuiltE...maybe you should ask your Janome dealer about stocking LA. Mine does here although I've never looked at them to see what kind they are. I know I don't have room for one so I'm not letting myself get the "wants".
I know that changing the plate back and forth from single to dual hole and attaching the walking foot is a nuisance. I know the Janome 7700 does it automatically so you might want to consider a larger upgrade if you stick with Janome, Carrie. It has a 11 inch harp. I do like my 6500 for the way it handles different threads, etc but I would love to have a 7700. But Mirabelle makes the Pfaff sound so good. That's the first electic machine my DM bought when I was a kid. It was a wonder after the treadle.

To continue the machine discussion ..... I have absolutely NO interest, want or desire for a LA. And add to that, I have absolutel NO interest, want or desire to do quilting for others! However, Jan's Sweet 16 is getting my attention which is basically a LA, just you sit down! That being said, I don't think I can justify the $ for just a quilting machine. I'm kind of thinking that surely the other companies will come out with a bigger throat yet still do the other things in order to compete and satisfy the needs of a large portion of the quilting population.

I know I could jump to the 7700, though am hesitant, as I thought the 6600 had so much space ... and would I only be happy with the 7700 for a short time and want even more space! Interestingly enough the Dad of the dealership talked me out of that idea! And too, he even took me away from thinking of a Bernina 820 this summer. When things settle and I have my "brain" in the right mode, I will go in this winter and sit and test drive. And now with all the other discussions, I might do a tour of other dealers and makes for comparison .... of course, that's IF they should get them in stock! I must admit, it kind of sends off bells ringing and red flags as to how committed they are, if they don't keep all in stock, all the time!

So MiraB ... what about the more space saving type like Jan's?
Lucky daughter ... and glad you are claiming one of the quilts for yourself!

QNSue ... what type of machine is the one you have your eye on, across the way?

Oops sorry QNS I got you and QuiltE mixed up (it was very late when I posted my pics)

Another point of interest on different machines, I did not like the fact that the Janome did not have a free arm, not that I do dressmaking but I do make bags and sometimes you just need to be able to have that feature. Also it annoyed me that I had to have the little box of accessories on the desk whereas with the Pfaff all your bobbins are in the free arm at the front and if I lift the bobbins holder I can fit my spare needles under them. Also in the back of the free arm is a place for all the other goodies like screwdrivers, lint remover, unpicker, buttonhole foot. the less "stuff" on my desk the better for me.

Also the Janome 6600 was very heavy and difficult for me to lift into the boot of my car, the Pfaff is at least 3lb lighter. Not a lot but when you have back problems every little bit counts

Some good food for thought MiraB ... I think when I haven't had the other options and the deluxe features, I didn't know about them .... so didn;t miss them!!!

I believe the 7700 does have the free arm.
ITA it would be nice to have more things stored as part of the machine .. and I "think" the 7700 has that too.
Because of all the odds and ends, I have a set of drawers right next to my machine. Also for storing my thread stash!

Yes, weight of the machine can be wicked when taking it on road trips!! And worse still are some of the even bigger machines. I see some of the ladies who bring them into the sewing machine store and I am turned right off!! I can set mine right into the back being that I have an SUV/truck, not down into a trunk/boot. However, it's not as much of an issue for me as the only time I expect it to leave home would be for servicing. Though even then, carrying it up the stairs and back down, I am always nervous! I kept my previous machine, so it gives me a nice back up as well as one to take to classes etc.

Good news from across the street; they are keeping their machine!!! (My prayers were answered!!1) Its the $10,000 plus about $4000.00 more in extras Gammill that can be computerized and you sit down if you want; it goes out to 120 inch quilt size...has the zippers on the side. Too much of a machine for me.

We went into a local site to meet the guild that was there; they asked us to introduce ourselves at the end of their business meeting, and before they said anything about dues or joining them, they were handling us raffle tickets to sell!! We looked at one another, and I quietly handed the tickets back after the meeting, saying , "No thanks". We will not go again; they were not very welcoming (have their own groups and interests going on) and we were a bit put off by them handing us raffle tickets to sell so quickly. So we can save on the gas and not make the trip again. Will try the cross stitch group next month.

QNS I agree that some groups can be off putting, the one here in my town is so clicky, they have been together as a group for about 20 years and when we first moved here I enquired into joining then and was told that the club "had limited space" (they meet in the Church Hall) and there are 10 of them and thath they would contact me in the future.

Well guess who they contacted when they wanted their raffle quilt quilted and it was a big NO from me

QNSue ... that's good news that it's staying! And I hope you have reserved spots for your quilts to be done! OMG that they nabbed you with your first visit ... wouldn't sit well with me and I'd have been out that door pretty quick too! I just can't believe the nerve!!! Well, actually I can believe it and am proud of you two for turning the tickets back and saying adios!

MiraB ... good for you for knowing the value of saying NO!

Stories like these are why I have not made any efforts towards matching up with a Guild. There are several around me that could be potentials and could be compared and decided upon if I chose. I don't care much for clique-y groups and honestly, I don't really want to be in a situation where I must be somewhere the 3rd Thursday of a month (or whatever their schedule is).

I know I miss out on some of their speakers and class opportunities ... but IMHO I really feel I get a broader scope of education on the QB than I can IRL. Plus the meeting is when I want it to be ... as often or as seldom as I choose!

So Ladies ... you are my Guild!

QuiltE I agree with you 100% my chat time here is so important to me.
I travel 60 miles every Thursday to sew with a group that are wonderful but I still feel like an intruder sometimes because I don't live in their area.
When I tell them I chat with you in Canada and my other friends all over the US they just don't get it. I suppose they are not on their computers like me

That's all because they think everyone on the internet are green and weirdos! :) And we're going to reach out and choke each other!

What a dedicated soul you are to travel to that group every week! You truly must enjoy being with them, to do that!
Do you have a travelling sewing kit that you don't use at home, so it's less work to pack up and leave each time?
Or better still ... just leave it in your vehicle each all the time?
And what do you work on together, each week?

It's amazing how we can all feel "close" while being only "virtually" connected! :)

I always enjoy going back to see what everyone created for these weekly blocks!
Alas! my additions ...

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Very 'piece ful' peaceful scenes. like the colors and scenes in both. Great job, QuiltE.

Good play on words! ... though me-thinks that cowgal is stirring up some dust with her horse! :)

QE--very nice fussy cutting!

Oh there will be "peace in the valley" as QE's piecing draws to an end! A delightful pair!

Awwww Thanks Everyone!

OKSGlad ... another good play on words! :) And yes, it does feel kind of peaceful to know they are done. I even did some of the sashing/cornerstones tonight!

Another set of blocks

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Great job, GrannyQ! Another couple blocks all Done!! We are all cheering you on to the finish!!