Giverny Kaleidoscope Quilt Finish + Big Birthday Surprises: A Bernina Q24 is Coming Next Week (APQS Millennium + IntelliQuilter For Sale)!

Today's post is a long one; I have three things to share with you.  

1. Graduation Quilt Finished Early!

First things first, my lovelies -- I put the final stitches in the binding of Anders' high school graduation quilt last night.  I finished it EARLY, y'all -- graduation isn't until Tuesday, and Quillow Sunday at church is on June 6th.  Woo hoo!!  This was my One Monthly Goal for May, and it feels good to hit the finish line with several days to spare!

70 x 90 Giverny Teleidoscope Graduation Quilt for Anders

I really love how the ombre backing fabric came out, too:

Giverny Teleidoscope Ombre Backing

I ended up doing a 1/2" finished width binding on this quilt because it seemed more proportional to the oversized kaleidoscope blocks than my usual 1/4" binding.  As for the size, it came out right at 70" x 90" before washing it, and I used 100% cotton batting so I'm bracing myself for some shrinkage to happen in that first wash.  I had intended for the quilt to be a little larger, but it will be fine.

Half Inch Hand Stitched Binding with Machine Embroidered Quilt Label

Even when I've hand stitched the binding, I still do a machine embroidered label for my quilts.  Those dense, machine embroidered satin stitches are much more durable than hand stitched embroidery, and I want to make sure the information on the quilt label stays with the quilt over the long haul.  My mom is included  "in the credits" because she helped me mark those points on all of the isosceles triangles so I could get them lined up at the block centers when I was piecing them on my machine.  HUGELY helpful -- Thanks, Mom!

2. The Big Birthday Surprise!

Remember last summer, when I told you about my two-hour test drive of the Q24 long arm quilting machine at my local Bernina dealer's shop?  I was so impressed with the stitch quality and ease of use, the sleek design of this long arm machine that has all the bells and whistles and nice-to-have "creature comforts" of a high-end domestic sewing machine, and I told my husband all about it when I got home.  I liked the idea of being able to use different sizes and different types of domestic needles and I liked the way the handles on the Bernina adjust in so many different ways besides just Up or Down.  But the Q24 was super expensive, we were deep into the pandemic shutdown with so much uncertainty in the world and no end in sight, and I already owned a fantastic APQS Millennium, one of the best long arm quilting machines on the market.  I put the Q24 out of my mind and went back to my APQS Machine.  I vastly expanded what I could do with my current machine by adding the IntelliQuilter computer robotics in the Fall of 2020 and I've been quilting merrily away on quilts for myself, for my wonderful clients, and for my guild's Outreach program ever since.  

Look What My Husband Got Me For My Birthday!

But my husband Bernie remembered how much I'd liked that Bernina Q24.  He knows how much I love my other Berninas (yes, plural -- a 750QEE sewing/embroidery machine, a 475QE travel/class machine, plus a 1300MTC serger/coverstitch machine).  He knows I have an awesome Bernina dealer 5 minutes away who has always delivered top-notch service and support on all of my machines, and that I've never, ever been disappointed by a Bernina sewing machine.  And he wanted to redeem himself for the Christmas of Socks and Sadness (don't ask; the emotions are still too raw -- but it was similar to this SNL skit where everyone else in the family gets cool toys for Christmas but the mom just gets a robe) by finding me a really good gift for my birthday this year.  

Bernie knows better than to try to replace my quilting machine as a total surprise, so after he checked out the Q24 inside and out and worked out whatever pricing with my Bernina dealer, he clued me in a few days before my birthday so I could make the decisions about the frame size, options and accessories (and to make sure that I still liked the Bernina machine before he ordered it).  I went back to the dealer and played with their demo machine some more, asked lots of questions, checked out the online forums, even read through the entire owner's manuals for both the Q24 long arm machine as well as Bernina's Q-Matic computer robotics package.  I talked to several owners of this machine and weighed the pros and cons carefully.  

Initially the plan was to move my current third-party IntelliQuilter (IQ) computer robotics over to the new Bernina machine.  That way I'd be able to keep working with the software I've already learned and just be learning to use it with a different machine.  But we ended up deciding to order Bernina's proprietary Q-Matic computer robotics for two reasons.  First and foremost, the folks at IntelliQuilter are having trouble getting parts from overseas right now.  New IntelliQuilter complete systems are backordered for 3+ months, they do not have parts in stock that they would need for installing their system on a Bernina right now, and they can't tell me for sure how many months I'd have to wait before those parts might be available.  Second, when I looked into Bernina's Q-Matic system, I discovered that although it's missing one or two of the advanced custom quilting tools that IQ has, the Q-Matic system is really well integrated with the Bernina long arm machine in ways that might be a worthwhile trade off for giving up those infrequently-used IQ tools.  Most importantly, my Bernina dealer will be able to add Bernina's robotics system to my new Q24 by the end of June so I won't have months of disruption to my digital edge-to-edge quilting business!

Bernina's Q-Matic Computer Robotics Will Replace My IntelliQuilter on the Q24

This is such a cool and unexpected birthday surprise -- who gets a gift like this when it's not even a "milestone" birthday," right?!  I am glad he involved me before placing the order, though.  It's a big decision, especially since my long arm machine is the foundation of my quilting business.  I've grown so comfortable with the way my APQS Millennium machine moves and stitches.  I could probably thread it and replace the bobbin blindfolded, I don't have to even think about which button to press to bring up the bobbin thread or how to load a quilt, and I know that machine is built to industrial standards so it could keep chugging away reliably for decades as long as I keep it clean and oiled.  It's sewing beautifully, so why fix (or replace) what ain't broken, right?

But the Bernina machine feels comfortable and familiar, too, since so much of the design and screen icons are the same as on my domestic sewing machines.  I will be able to use some of the free motion feet from my sit-down Bernina machine on the new long arm, including my couching foot to quilt a design in couched YARN -- how cool would THAT be?  I love the way that Bernina has fully integrated their Q-Matic computer robotics with the Q24 sewing head.  It's a very different machine from APQS and there will be a learning curve going from one software platform to the other for sure, but I have resources in place to help me if/when I get stuck.  As my husband reminded me, "You like learning new things."  💓💕. I totally forgive him for the  lousy socks.  

...So, What About My Beloved APQS Millennium?

How will all of this work?  I have at least one more client quilt top for E2E quilting on my APQS machine before the new Bernina machine is delivered next week (that will be my Tuesday To-Do List objective, in addition to everything I need to do to prepare for delivery of the new machine).  Then I have a couple quilts needing binding and a few vintage quilt repairs that I can be working on during the transition using my domestic sewing machine.  I'm trying to figure out where in my home I could relocate the APQS machine if I don't find a buyer before the new machine needs to be delivered.  Maybe my dining room -- but then what do I do with my dining room table?  I would think a prospective buyer would want to test drive the machine or at least see a demonstration before buying it, right?  And if we reassemble the APQS machine in the dining room, that means I would have it available for any client quilts that came my way in those three weeks or so between when the new long arm machine is delivered and when the new computer setup is ready to be installed. One thing I know for sure?  I definitely do not want to keep a second long arm machine in my dining room long-term!

My 2013 APQS Millennium w/12 ft Frame is Available for Sale

3. My Computerized 2013 APQS Millennium with IntelliQuilter is Officially For Sale!

Recently "Spa Serviced" with all wear-and-tear parts replaced, every part of the machine inspected, cleaned, & readjusted to factory standards.  Includes 12' Deluxe Frame, Power Advance, Quilt Glide Upgrade, Bliss Track Upgrade, Custom Light Bar, Jumbo M Bobbin, Ruler Base, Additional Hopping Feet (& Upgraded to Accept New 2019-Style Quick Change Feet), & Standalone Industria Turbo Bobbin Winder, Lots of Extras.  Nearly-New ClassIQ IntelliQuilter (just added in November 2020) w/Full Custom Features, Largest Tablet & Super Motors.

Please Share This With Your Quilting Friends!

If you or anyone you know (in the Carolinas preferably, or at least the Southeast) is looking to buy a well-loved, beautifully maintained, high-perforemance 2013 APQS Millennium loaded with upgrades on a 12' frame with the latest and greatest IntelliQuilter computer robotics already installed, please reach out and/or pass along my contact information.  

UPDATED 6/10/2021: My old machine has been sold and is on its way to its new home in Michigan!

WHEW!!  I'm linking up today's post with all of my favorite linky parties this week.  Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend to those of you in the United States.  Happy quilting!

FRIDAY

One Monthly Goal at Elm Street Quilts.

Whoop Whoop Fridays at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Peacock Party at Wendy’s Quilts and More

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Off the Wall Friday at Nina Marie Sayre

 TGIFF Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday, rotates, schedule found here: TGIF Friday

 SATURDAY

UFO Busting at Tish in Wonderland

SUNDAY

Frédérique at Quilting Patchwork Appliqué

Oh Scrap! at Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework

Slow Stitching Sunday at Kathy's Quilts

MONDAY

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts  

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

BOMs Away at What a Hoot Quilts

TUESDAY

To-Do Tuesday at ChrisKnits

WEDNESDAY

Midweek Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

THURSDAY

Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation  

Free Motion Mavericks with Muv and Andree