Welcome back, everyone!
Just a quick reminder. Both Appleton and Elkhorn locations will be closed for the Great Wi Quilt Show 9/6/23 - 9/9/23
In several of the last posts, I’ve shared lots of information about the various Handi Quilter longarm machines. But did you know that there are several accessories that will enhance your quilting experience?
Now I’m not going to go into detail on every one of these products, but I’ve chosen a few that regularly make our “most popular” list. And, if you happen to be interested in one or more of these items, you might want to read on to the end of this post …
First, let’s look at some of the basic longarm accessories.
The Quick Zip System™
Whether you’re a renter or an owner, you know the Quick Zip System™ is The Quilting Connection’s easy way of loading quilts on a frame!
Regardless of which frame you chose for your longarm system, we have the right zipper system to fit it. We also offer several options for purchasing zipper sets. The most common are the Quick Zip Renter set, the Quick Zip Standard Machine set, and the Quick Zip Standard Quilt set.
The Quick Zip Renter set contains one quilt set (or three zipper halves) and a detailed instruction guide showing how to pin the zippers to your quilt.
The Quick Zip Standard Machine set is the set you need when you initially purchase your longarm system. It contains the three-zipper set that is sewn to your canvas leaders as well as the three zipper halves that attach to your quilt back and top prior to loading. It also contains a detailed instruction guide explaining how to install and use the system.
Finally, the Quick Zip Standard Quilt set contains only one quilt set (or the three zipper halves). Purchasing multiple sets allows you to have more than one quilt pinned in advance and ready to load on your longarm.
For more information on purchasing the Quick Zip System™, please see the Quick Zip System page on our website.
Bobbins
Quilters are notorious for building their stash of fabrics, but what about that thread collection? You’ve got to have the right color to accent each of the quilt tops you complete, right?
Well, the more colors of thread you have, the more bobbins you need!
Have you considered jazzing up your collection by purchasing the HQ Purple Bobbin Kit? The kit contains a free bobbin box loaded with 30 gleaming purple bobbins! Add a little fun to your quilting!
Check out the Bobbins & Needles page of our website for more information.
Feet
And yes, you can complete your quilts using the standard foot that came with your machine, but there are other options that can make your quilting easier or will be a better fit for the type of quilting you want to do.
Have you considered the Handi Quilter Glide Foot? If you rent machine time from us, you know that’s the basic foot of choice for us. The Glide Foot 2 is meant to help the hopping foot glide over raised designs (e.g., appliques) or even thick seams. Shaped like a mini cereal bowl, it also extends out and protects your fingers when you need to manipulate the fabric as you’re quilting.
Another helpful foot is the HQ Square Foot. This foot comes in a set of two. There is a ¼ inch foot and a ½ inch foot. The ¼ inch foot is especially helpful if you add your binding while your quilt is still on the frame. Both can also be used to echo straight lines while free motion quilting.
And speaking of free motion quilting, you can also do some awesome echoing of any design shape with the assistance of the Handi Quilter Echo Feet Kit. This set contains three feet allowing you to reproduce stitching at 3/8 inch, ½ inch, and ¾ inch intervals.
The final foot on my “most popular” list is the HQ Sure Foot. This is the foot you need when you’re doing ruler work. It has a taller profile than the standard HQ foot, ensuring stability and safety when using rulers designed for machine quilting.
Please see the Handi Feet page of our website for more information on these helpful additions!
Frame Related Accessories
Then, there are a few accessories you may want to consider depending on which frame your HQ longarm sits on.
Handwheel
If you have a Gallery, Studio, or Loft frame supporting your machine, you may be interested in adding an extra handwheel to the front bar of your frame. This makes advancing your quilt easier and is especially helpful when rolling your completed quilt back to the top when adding binding. We love our additional handwheel and highly recommend it! Have you ever had the backing fabric be wavy? Just use the handwheel to roll the fabric back and forth a couple of times and it will smooth right out!
See the Most Popular Add-ons page of our website for more details on this product.
My Secret Drawer
If you could use some additional storage space, I have the perfect solution! Consider adding My Secret Drawer to your frame. Most Gallery, Gallery 2, Studio, and Studio 2 frames will support adding up to three of these convenient drawers.
Mounted under the back table of your frame, each drawer sits between the frame legs, utilizing that wasted space under your machine! Each drawer holds up to 96 cones of thread. They’re also a great place for storing your quilting rulers and templates … or any other quilting accessories!
For more details on My Secret Drawer, check out the Frame Accessories page of our website.
Handi Quilter HighLight
And the final item on my “most popular” product list is the HQ HighLight. If you want the BEST lighting possible for over your longarm, consider adding the HighLight configuration that fits your machine’s frame.
The HighLight provides the brightest LED lighting for your quilting studio. This effective lighting solution is easy to assemble and activates via a simple on/off switch mounted on the frame. You can also adjust the height to best meet your needs.
And don’t limit yourself to simply using the HighLight over your longarm machine. Additional HighLights can be installed over any work areas that need brighter lighting. One of our staff members has a second system set up over her cutting table. The possibilities are endless!
To see which HighLight configuration will work best for your quilting studio, return to the Frame Accessories page of our website.
Did you find something intriguing on my “most popular” list? Maybe you already had an item or two on your wish list?
Well, for staying with me to the end, as promised, I have a special deal for you!
Next week is The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show in Madison. We’re going to be offering a 15% discount at the show. BUT I’m going to open that opportunity to all our great customers reading this post as well!
So, if you’re coming to the show, you can take advantage of the discount while seeing the products in person and getting all your questions answered by our helpful staff.
However, if you can’t attend, you can order online using the code Madison15 now through 9/17/23 and still get the discount!
Conditions: This offer will be valid through September 17th. It only applies to Handi Quilter products and the Quick Zip System™. And you cannot combine this discount with any other specials (e.g. Free shipping).. To save shipping costs on some products, you can choose to order online and pick up your purchase in one of our stores after the Madison show ends on September 9th.
Oh, and one final note.
Due to pulling store product and staff for The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show, our Appleton and Elkhorn stores will be closed on Saturday, September 2nd and for the week of Wednesday, September 6th through Saturday, September 9th. We really hope to see YOU at the show!
Okay, that’s it for this post. I hope I’ve introduced you to at least one product that will enhance your longarm quilting experience!
And as always, if you have ANY questions or want additional information, please call us at (262) 723-6775 or email us at info@QuiltingConnection.com.
You can also visit us online at QuiltingConnection.com or in person at 21 Adams Street in Elkhorn, WI (usually M-F 9-4, please call to confirm we’re open) or 1017 W. Northland in Appleton, WI (W, Th & F 10-4, S 10-3).
And finally, check out our blog at QuiltingConnection.com/blog and our Facebook posts.
Please share your thoughts and questions with us. We love to hear from you!
Angie