[Nfb-krafters-korner] Wow, Wow, Wow!!!!

[Blindhands at aol.com]

I just had to tell everyone what I did last night!  I had  an amazing time 
and I want to thank Audrey from this list for inviting  me.
I went  to a local business in my area last night that has long arm  
commercial quilting machines.   I went with a couple of ladies  belonging to a sewing  
group and I
went along.  The owners of the  place were great and I sat and  listened for a
little bit and then  opened my mouth and said I have a thousand  questions.
After spending a  couple of hours there and the owners let me  touch and feel
everything  and answered my questions.  I got them really  thinking about  
how  a
blind person might be able to use one of these   machines.  You see they rent
time on the machine.  They have  2  machines now and will be moving to a new
location the first of the  year.   At that time they will be getting another 
new
machine and  already have the 4th  machine ordered for 2009.  The head of  the
quilting machine is kinda like a  steering wheel with 2 grip padded  handles 
on
it.  This is computerized, but  you can free hand move  it, too.
 
I got them thinking about how to do this without seeing it and they  think
with some practice with some things to help me feel things they are  willing 
to
work with me!
 
I am so excited and think this is such a great opportunity I just had  to
tell everyone!
 
I will not be able to start it until the first of the year.  They  soon  will
be in their "black out" time for the holidays.  They get  so busy to  have
things done for the holiday season.
 
These wonderful folks started this business in the last 3 years when  they
both found themselves out of work.  The husband told me his wife  would drag  
him
to quilt shows and when he found himself out of the work  force due to cut
backs he started listening and learning about these quilting  machines.  I  
told
him if we can get Jaws speaking in the computer  program and a few bells and
whistles to let you know when you are nearing the  edge when going back and
forth  this can be done.  He even had  spoken about a possible tactil guide 
to know
where the edges are.  They  have some tacky stuff that can be used to avoid
the fabric from possibly  being turned.
 
I have no sight at all, but he ran the machine without needles in it and  it
was doing figure 8's.  He said he actually tells the people that he  teaches
to feel the design as the machine is rotating and feel the rhythm of  how the
machine moves.
 
I am excited and will keep all of you posted.  Have anyone   touched  or used
one of these machines???
 
Now I can't wait for the holidays to be over!!!!!!!
 
Joyce
 



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-------------- next part --------------
 
 
I just had to tell everyone what I did last night!  I had an amazing time and I want to thank Audrey from this list for inviting me.
I went  to a local business in my area last night that has long arm commercial quilting machines.   I went with a couple of ladies belonging to a sewing  group and I
went along.  The owners of the place were great and I sat and  listened for a
little bit and then opened my mouth and said I have a thousand  questions.
After spending a couple of hours there and the owners let me  touch and feel
everything and answered my questions.  I got them really  thinking about how  a
blind person might be able to use one of these  machines.  You see they rent
time on the machine.  They have 2  machines now and will be moving to a new
location the first of the year.   At that time they will be getting another new
machine and already have the 4th  machine ordered for 2009.  The head of the
quilting machine is kinda like a  steering wheel with 2 grip padded handles on
it.  This is computerized, but  you can free hand move it, too.
 
I got them thinking about how to do this without seeing it and they think
with some practice with some things to help me feel things they are willing to
work with me!
 
I am so excited and think this is such a great opportunity I just had to
tell everyone!
 
I will not be able to start it until the first of the year.  They soon  will
be in their "black out" time for the holidays.  They get so busy to  have
things done for the holiday season.
 
These wonderful folks started this business in the last 3 years when they
both found themselves out of work.  The husband told me his wife would drag  him
to quilt shows and when he found himself out of the work force due to cut
backs he started listening and learning about these quilting machines.  I  told
him if we can get Jaws speaking in the computer program and a few bells and
whistles to let you know when you are nearing the edge when going back and
forth  this can be done.  He even had spoken about a possible tactil guide to know
where the edges are.  They have some tacky stuff that can be used to avoid
the fabric from possibly being turned.
 
I have no sight at all, but he ran the machine without needles in it and it
was doing figure 8's.  He said he actually tells the people that he teaches
to feel the design as the machine is rotating and feel the rhythm of how the
machine moves.
 
I am excited and will keep all of you posted.  Have anyone  touched  or used
one of these machines???
 
Now I can't wait for the holidays to be over!!!!!!!
 
Joyce
 
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