Bailey Home Quilter - Opinions on???
#3
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
You might want to join the homequiltingsystems list at http://groups.yahoo.com . Quite a few people there have Baileys.
#6
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 610
I have a 15", which I generally love. I'm still pretty new to using it, and there have been some growing pains, but when it's working correctly, then it's awesome. ;) The thing to recognize about the Bailey is that it's very no-frills compared to a true longarm, and is somewhat cobbled together (it's a stretched machine, technically). It has two major selling points, IMHO -- the price, and the throat space. If you're willing to put up with some initial frustration and a bit of a learning curve, you'll probably be very happy with it. And whenever I hit a snag with my quilting, I just tell myself, "This is a heck of a lot faster than hand quilting!"
One thing to keep in mind as far as cost is whether or not you need a stitch regulator -- I personally wouldn't try to quilt without one. Some people manage to work just fine without one, but the learning curve is substantially longer without one, from what I've heard.
I'm running my Bailey on a Little Gracie II. If I were to do it over, I'd probably get a bigger frame -- I'd like to be able to do king sized quilts; also, I'm probably losing about an inch of quilting space (in the throat) because the frame isn't quite big enough. It would probably be perfect for a 13", though.
One thing to keep in mind as far as cost is whether or not you need a stitch regulator -- I personally wouldn't try to quilt without one. Some people manage to work just fine without one, but the learning curve is substantially longer without one, from what I've heard.
I'm running my Bailey on a Little Gracie II. If I were to do it over, I'd probably get a bigger frame -- I'd like to be able to do king sized quilts; also, I'm probably losing about an inch of quilting space (in the throat) because the frame isn't quite big enough. It would probably be perfect for a 13", though.
#7
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Central PA
Posts: 5,573
Rivka, Thank you so much. I really want a mid/long arm, but am struggling with spending that much money after just spending a lot on my used Bernina. But I am seriously interested in this machine because the price is more in my reach...eventually.
#8
Banned
Join Date: May 2009
Location: LA - Lower Alabama
Posts: 888
I have the little gracie II frame which Bailey's sell as a 'deal'...
I do not have the stitch regulator and see no need to get one -
you do have to remember that the machine runs slower that a high priced long arm and move the machine accordingly
I did a few 'practice' pieces then a quilt...
I've done quite a few since then -
I wouldn't call it "cobbled together"
call and talk to Mr. Bailey - he's there on Tuesdays on (not there on Mondays) - he will be happy to answer any questions you have..
I do not have the stitch regulator and see no need to get one -
you do have to remember that the machine runs slower that a high priced long arm and move the machine accordingly
I did a few 'practice' pieces then a quilt...
I've done quite a few since then -
I wouldn't call it "cobbled together"
call and talk to Mr. Bailey - he's there on Tuesdays on (not there on Mondays) - he will be happy to answer any questions you have..
#9
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 610
JJs, come on now. It has PVC pipes for handles :) You may not call that cobbled together, but I do ;) When people are considering making such a major purchase, it's important to be as forthright as possible about what they are actually buying.
I'm not saying it's not functional -- it certainly is -- but don't expect to be getting something that looks like or works exactly like a true long-arm.
I'm not saying it's not functional -- it certainly is -- but don't expect to be getting something that looks like or works exactly like a true long-arm.
#10
Banned
Join Date: May 2009
Location: LA - Lower Alabama
Posts: 888
and you "come on now", in this day and age, a 15" "mid-arm" machine AND frame for $2500 is NOT a major purchase - get real...
if you want "Major purchase" AND a "real" longarm AND a fancy metal frame - don't think you are going to get all that for twenty five hundred....
accept that $2500 gets you 'what you pay for' or plan on spending more
if you want "Major purchase" AND a "real" longarm AND a fancy metal frame - don't think you are going to get all that for twenty five hundred....
accept that $2500 gets you 'what you pay for' or plan on spending more
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kristen0112
Main
6
08-06-2010 10:58 AM