Quilters and Their Machine

Quilters and Their Machine We asked members with different types of machines why they chose their particular model quilting machine and how it works for them! Click here to contact these or other AMQA members
Kathy Adams Kathy Adams of KoolKat Quilting, Toowoomba QLD. “I started with a hand-guided Gammill Classic, which I loved, but when the opportunity came to have it retro-fitted with the Statler computerised features I jumped at it. The software is so user-friendly, and I can rest my back and shoulders so much more while the machine does the work. It is great for all over patterns, cable borders and decorative blocks. Each pattern stitches out perfectly. When I want to add my creative touches, I simply disconnect the belts and work in freehand mode, just like I used to before. There are many excellent pattern designers world-wide who are selling their computerised patterns which can be downloaded with a mouse-click. It’s so easy to add to your pattern library.
Clare Fairless of Never Ending Quilting, Medowie NSW I bought my Gammill Classic machine in 2000. At the time it seemed like the best option for me as the dealer was reasonably close for any support that I may have needed. Now of course it is much easier with the internet. The only extra I got with my machine at the time of purchase was the needle up/down positioner. I find this to be a valuable assett. My machine is not stitch regulated or computer assisted and I do not plan to change that. I love my machine as it is simple to use and maintain, any of the mechanical things I can can fix myself if needed. The only thing I have changed on my machine since I bought it are the wheels. I purchased I set of edge rider wheels and they made such a difference to the smoothness of operation.
Sharon French of Morning Star Quilting, Avoca Beach, NSW Prodigy Machine (not computerised) The Prodigy stitches beautifully and tension is very easy to adjust and control when using different threads. The stitch regulation is prefect and stitching is consistent – it does not change when coming up to or leaving a point. The hydraulic lift (ergonomically essential no matter what anyone says) is quick to adjust if you are working on pantos or freehand quilting. The machine is smooth and light to operate. The 24“ throat gives a large quilting area and there is a clear view of the quilting area. Handles are adjustable and there is no vibration when quilting.
Toni Trott of Only Quilting in North Brisbane Due to budget constraints and a husband who thought I’d be absolutely bored out of my brain if I had to stay at home alone and work, I purchased a second hand APQS quilting system. Well I’ve proved my husband wrong, I enjoy being able to work from home when I like and being able to wear what I like. And now I love it even more with my latest addition, the IntelliQuilter computerised system which I have named R2D2. I suffer from lower back problems and before I had R2 installed, I could only work short periods before having to take a break. Now we can work practically non-stop. The IQ is so simple to use and with the touch screen mounted on the machine everything is there at your fingertips. Designs are easily resized, flipped, manipulated, trimmed or combined. The IQ was easily installed on my machine and it is so simple to take the touch screen tablet off my machine if I want to show my customers my pattern library. I can even take it to them. The IQ is easy to disengage if manual operation is required. It is only a matter of pressing a button on the screen and waiting a few seconds for the motors to lift off the tracks. And I have found customer support from IntelliQuilter to be excellent and software updates are regular occurrences as the developer of IQ is constantly adding more features.

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