Yellow Bird

My husband has gifted me with a HQ Avante for my birthday and probably every other event for the next ten years!

I'd say we bit the bullet, but given the cost it is more like bitting a nuclear warhead.

I have used a long arm once. While I enjoyed it I just never felt like learning.

When I saw a long arm with a computer I was ready! Then I saw the cost. Ugh. Never thought I'd ever be able to justify it.

Got to love a sale!

I don't have it yet. Delivery and setup next week.

In the interim I have been watching HQ videos on how to set it up.

So, for those of you who have one....all suggestions will be appreciated.

ckcowl

I love my Avante! Have had it for three years now. HQ s a great company to work with.
Mine was delivered by the dealer and he set it up. He also offered free ( new owner) classes and my first cleaning/ service free. I would check with the dealer yours is coming from to see what services/ classes come with it.
I hope you learn to love it. There is a couple in our guild with the computer features who went to Utah for the classes/ workshops at HandiQuilter they said those are Great and highly recommended.

cenpaqltr

Love the HandiQuilter machines...I have had 3...they are wonderful.

ka9sdn

I love my Avante!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It does take some time to learn it but what fun! I mix the purchased patterns and fmq in a lot of the quilts I do. Be creative!!!!!!!

PaperPrincess

I also love my Avante. It was also delivered and installed by the dealer. It was an additional charge, but worth it. I also get unlimited lessons.

Cari-in-Oly

Repeating what's already been said, I love my Avante! My dealer came and set it up at no charge and she's wonderful. She took the time to give me a great lesson right then and she's always just a phone call away if I have a question, or her shop is just up the road if I need something. Every dealer is different in how much or little service they provide, but mine is great!

Cari

eparys

I just got my Avante last weekend and I am loving it!! I have played around with it on a few sample bats but am getting ready to load my first UFO tomorrow!! My dealer has been great - lots of support and I hear that the HQ Company has fantastic support as well. Good luck with it.

tallchick

I have a fusion and you will love it, they areally are user friendly and I have not had any issues with mine either. Welcome to the club, your going to have so much fun.

patsews

There are a couple of facebook groups that you might be interested in joining - Beginning Longarm Quilters, HQ Pro Stitchers. Lots of helpful information on this board and both of those groups.

cathyvv

Congrats! I have HQ16 with pcquilter (used), and am very happy with the combination.

The suggestion that I will make with regard to the computerized quilting is that you take your time learning how to use it. If you try to understand every feature all at once, it's kind of like trying to swallow a whale whole. So take it slow, learn a feature or two and then learn another.

One thing I find difficult is measuring the distance between the start point of one row of quilting and the start point of another. If the quilting pattern is straight across, it's pretty easy. However, if the quilt pattern is wavy or chevron, it's more difficult to figure out. There may be info available on how to do it accurately, but if there is I haven't found it yet.

One last suggestion - make sure your frame is squared up before you do your first quilt. If it's not, your row will slant up or down no matter how careful you are to measure and get the quilt top on the frame straight. I learned that the hard way!