Our NEQ frame is 'just right'!

Emily on the QVP and Ellie in the background on the New English Quilter frame

Long arms are WOW! But many people just don't have the space. That's where our New English Quilter frames come into their own. These smaller more affordable frames are an American idea that has been adapted to fit into our smaller English and European homes.

Ellie demonstrating on the 6 foot New English Quilter frame with the Juki TL98P

These versatile frames clamp to any table. The frame perfectly tensions each layer of the quilt so you'll never have to baste, pin, tack, or glue. Your sewing machine sits on a set of carriages that ride on tracks. This ingenious frame allows your sewing machine to glide effortlessly across the top of your quilt. Just like a long arm but for a fraction of the cost.

People are so surprised the first time they see it! And often a bit reluctant to have a try. But we really encourage people to  give it a go so that they can feel the easy movement of the sewing machine.

Here's a shot of Ellie showing how to guide the sewing machine with the ergonomic speed control Nifty Grip handles

And here's our visiting quilter giving the JUKI TL98P a 'test drive' on our New English Quilter frame. She's surprised at how easily the sewing machine glides and happy that she tried something new at the Festival. It really does move "like magic!" 

Hugs and Kisses

'Hugs and Kisses' table runner on the 6 foot New English Quilter frame

 I love all things hearts! So I take a broad view of Valentine's Day and send my love to friends and family everywhere. More about that later. Meanwhile, here's a fun 'hugs and kisses' table runner that's just perfect for Valentine' Day. It's the pumpkin seed appliqué pattern pictured in the previous post. In a different colour way,  it works as X's and O's too.

The machine quilting began with simply scalloping around the appliquéd shapes. 

Scalloping is so much easier than stitch-in-the-ditch! 

Then added some echoed hearts and scallops to fill out the design.

I 





I went for white on white to get a lacy doily look.

A fast and fun Valentine table runner made with love!

Hug & Kisses made with love from my JUKI TL98P and the 6 foot New English Quilter frame

Another Happy Customer

Carol bought a machine quilting frame a few years ago, NOT one of ours.  But the frame didn't perform as she expected it would and the seller did not offer any after sales service. Understandably, Carol was really frustrated!

Carol heard about our 'La Mer' DVD. We designed the DVD to be helpful to ANY quilter using ANY sewing machine on ANY frame. Carol did find it helpful, but she was still struggling to get a nice line of stitching on her frame.  Just before Christmas she decided to get a set of Nifty Grips to help guide her sewing machine but realized that the installation was going to be difficult. As we were trying to figure out what to do, Carol's husband stepped in and said, "Just order the 6 foot New English Quilter frame." So she did! 

Carolis smiling now with her NEQ frame 

Carol's New English Quilter frame, purpose built table and Nifty Grip speed control handles arrived yesterday. Carol set it up today and here's what happened:

"Hi Martha, And we are off!!  I have just completed my first line of quilting and followed your manual instructions to the letter.  As you say in the manual practise is the key but I am so pleased with efforts so far and the simplicity of setting up.  The goody bag is just lush – I love the thread colours am sure I shall be ordering some in the future.  The manual is brilliant and is almost as if you are speaking directly to me very easy to follow and reassuring with the little summaries of steps along the way.  I just had to take a break and let you know my progress so far.  I am delighted. 

Very best wishes and thanks,Carol."

Carol is up and running with her New English Quilter frame

We love our customers, even AFTER they pay us.    We offer lots of customer support before, during and especially after our sales. We are delighted that after years of frustration,  Carol is up and running with her New English Quilter frame. And if she does run into any problems we are always happy to help.

SuperQuilter Spares

my schoolhouse quilt on the SuperQuilter frame

Martha at the 2004 Festival of Quilts

The SuperQuilter was my very first machine quilting frame. 

My mom gave it to me for a Christmas present in 2002 and I began selling them here in the UK in the summer of 2003.

 So when I found the old box of spare parts I felt all nostalgic remembering quilting my schoolhouse quilt 

and the early shows at the Festival of Quilts and little Emily machine quilting her first stack and wack Daisiez Quilt!

little Emily machine quilting her first quilt!and  Emily's first try quilting her Daizez quilt. 

Here are some photos of the SuperQuilter spare parts available to purchase:

SQ carriages top and bottom

• Top carriages £10 each (2 available)
• Bottom carriages £10 each (3 available)

SQ right hand side arms

• 3 ratchet end side pieces £5 each (2 sold 1 remaining)
• 3 non-ratchet end side pieces £5.00 each

6 replacement wheels for the carriages

• 4 carriage wheels £5.00

replacement levers for the side arms

• 5 ratchet engagers complete with screw fixings £1.00 each (4 sold 1 available)

set of 3 extension bars for the fabric bars

• set of 3 extension bars for changing 6 foot to 8 foot bars £5.00 (1 set available)

upright side standing pieces

• side piece uprights including non ratchet end side arms £25 each (1 sold 2 available) This is probably the easiest part to break and well worth a spare!

3 ratchet end pieces, 3 non ratchet end pieces and 6 pins

• bag containing 3 ratchet end pieces, 3 non-ratchet end pieces and 6 pins £5.00 (2 sold 2 available)

4 black knobs

• black knobs £1.00 each (4 sold zero available)

Prices do not include shipping. If you like any of these give me a call:

01526 378551

or email: martha@machinequilter.co.uk

When they're gone 

they're gone!

Back from Moscow

 Emily and I returned back from Moscow last night. The trip was just brilliant!! Here we are in Red Square  with St Basil's Cathedral behind us. It was very cold but we were so glad to be there that we didn't mind!

We were invited by the Moscow division of the JUKI sewing machine company to give a seminar on machine quilting at a Handicraft Fair in Moscow. Mr Kadiev, the general manager of JUKI in Moscow made the arrangements for the Seminar. He was a wonderful host showing us the sights and taking us to dine in traditional Russian restaurants.

Fluent in several languages, Mr Kadiev was a gracious and informative guide sharing insight into Russian history, language and culture. We learned to much and had such a wonderful time! 

 There is too much to capture in one post so tonight I'll just mention a bit about the Handicraft Show.

As soon as we walked into the exhibition hall we felt at home. The venues change but quilting is the same the world over! As ever there were many bright and colourful stands featuring crafts that ranged from cake decorating ...

 to familiar fabric...

 to weaving on a hand loom...

 and all manner of needlework.

Many stands sold needlework versions of  beautiful Russian icons.

 There was a fashion show and an exhibition of quilts. These two quilts were unusual in that they used authentic period costumes and real bags and rings and belts! More tomorrow...I need to go to bed, I think I'm still on Russian time!