'old' dog- new trick

even after LAing for almost 8 years, i'm still learning new things...other LAers will appreciate this story:

i have a BAQ (big a$$ quilt) in the queue- 124" square....i was called and asked if i could quilt one that big. i did some quick measurements (i have a 12foot frame) and was, "Suuuuure i can- bring it on over" i knew it would fill my frame, but it will fit.....famous last words....

it's turn came up, and i took the better half of a morning loading it into my frame...it took some creativity- the leaders weren't quite long enuf, so i had to tape the excess fabric to the rollers (you would think that at that point i would of caught on) i had to turn my clamps around and pin the end of the elastic to the backer- no room between the fabric edge and the frame for the clamps themselves (once again- should've caught on) i make bobbins and i'm ready to start stitching. i pull Nemo over to bast the edge down and *eeeerk* my machine hits something. i assume that i'm bumping into something left lying on the table. nope- mmmm? see where this is going??....

my handle/thread platform was hitting the end of my frame and i couldn't get the needle all the way to the edge of the quilt *insert various curse words here*


i need the platform, not the handle...so off to Home Depot i go to redneck something together to carry the thread, but lose the handle....i don't quilt from the back anyway, so it can go permanently if needed. after explaining what i was trying to achieve to numerous store employees, who i quickly realize, have NO imagination, my lightbulb goes off...

davis's dad is a tinker who can wield!! i completely forgot that i got a whole nother family in the marriage deal *grin* he once built an entire motorcycle trailer out of discarded handrails, this will be a cinch! a quick call and i was set. i drove down, bought him lunch, and *wha-la* exactly what i needed- a thread platform sans handle!! he even painted it gray to match *sweet*

now i can get the machine as far over as i needed to be able to quilt that last little inch...

a girl will do anything for an extra inch :)

moral- everything has limits. i now know the maximum size quilt that my frame will can quilt.