Almost finished taking out all the stitches on the third quilt that I had on my longarm. It has been hard for me to get back down to business and start thinking about what I'm going to try next.
The first two quilts were done with Aurofil thread and the tension was fine. I'm going back to Aurofil. When I was in Paducah I asked at thread booths what longarmers use and I bought some 100% polyester on a cone and some stronger cotton thread.
Maybe when I get better at this longarming I can go with other threads.
I'm debating about putting just a big muslin sandwich on the machine and practice, practice , practise.

Discouraged again.
Took quilt off of frame and am taking out all my stitches since the tension is so bad on the back.
My friends says it's really OK, but I won't settle for it!!
I need a few days to cool down before I tackle loading it back on the frame.

Started quilting but have to pick out most of my stitches. I tried to do some feathers and I guess it's too soon.
However, I was able to do some circles that looked pretty good, not great but OK.
I'm encouraged!ore picking out tomorrow and some free-hand  straight line quilting
I'm going to try to find something I can use as a guide for diagonal straight lines.

I loaded a 75X90 quilt on my machine this afternoon. After the beginner quilting class tomorrow I teach in the morning, I'm going to start quilting. I can't wait to see how my corners come out! My new Edge Riders, I hope make a difference.
By the way, I loaded the quilt in 45 minutes or so. Is it going to get faster over time? I follow Linda V. Taylor's method of loading that I got from her U-Tube video.
I have to write down the instructions verbatim and follow them exactly. What a joy to be a novice longarmer!

I'm not posting longarm adventures right now.  I had to finish piecing a quilt for my son's girlfriend. I quilted it on my Juki with feathers and swirls and leaves, the things I'm fairly good at.
I hope after a lot of practice that I can get  as good on my Gammill.

I have successfully installed the Edge Rider wheels!!
But I don't notice any large difference in the smoothness of the machines movement.
Not to fear, however , I'm going to load a quilt tomorrow and see if my free motion quilting looks better than before.
If anyone out there is listening, I'll keep you posted.
A little discouraged!

First things first. I've read the instructions for installing my Edge Rider wheels about 4 times before I really under stood them.
You know, we woman have missed out on a lot of useful education, namely; what is a socket head screw and what is a hex bolt.
Well now that we have google we can look up images of both. HA!
Otherwise I think I can do this alone without bothering my very mechanically inclined husband!
I'm going to read them again.............

MY EDGE RIDER WHEELS HAVE ARRIVED!!!!!
I will ask my son in the morning to help me lift my old Gammill.
I've looked at the installation instructions that came with the wheels and they seem to be amazingly easy. HA!
I'll keep you updated.

I ordered the edge rider wheels and plan to install them my self. I printed out Jeff Lomicka's instructions. They are for a much more advanced machine. I don't have a stitch regulator, channel locks and other fancy stuff on my machine, so they shouldn't be too hard to install.
Waiting for my wheels!!!!

Lady with edge rider wheels can't find them.
I'm going to have to spring for them (170.00) Ugh!
But not before I ask the manufacturers some questions.
I down loaded Jeffrey Lomicka's instructions on installing them and I still have some questions.

The woman with the edge rider wheels hasn't called back. She said she could only find 4 of her wheels and she would look for the rest and let me know.
My luck right!
This machine (Hortense) has been giving me fits since day one.
But somehow I still have hope and I do love her.
I tell her so...........

I found out some information from the Gammill forum about why I have squared off corners on my first quilts. I probably need the new edge rider wheels . So I may even get a set of barely used wheels from one of the people on the forum. I will call her today. There is also a wonderful site showing exactly how to install them. I think I can do it myself.
I'm not going to attempt another quilt until I have the new wheels.