I can't get a LA (yet) so I was looking into the Flynn QF. Can any of you tell me the pros and cons you've ran into?
I think it will be advantageous for me to get one, but don't want to add to my never ending pile of "un-used toys" :)
Any help would be appreciated.
Sharon

I looked at the Flynn but didn't like the idea of the sewing machine being stationary and wrestling with the quilt back and forth on pvc pipes on a long table. I needed something that I could better control. I knew I would get too frustrated with this set-up.

There are some who have had great results with this frame. It wasn't for me, tho.

i'm very happy with my flynn quilting frame.

i didn't have any problem with the switch to quilting from the side of the sewing machine.

it didn't take long to master moving the quilt around on the pvc pipes. i now guide my quilts with 2 fingers when i'm quilting, its that smooth.

i typically lay down utility stitches (like stitch in the ditch) first and then i pull out the middle rod. this way i can move the quilt back and forth however i wish since the 3 layers are being held together by the SITD.

this allows me to do more complex designs without having to cut the threads off and move to the next section.

if i don't plan to do any SITD i put done long basting stitches on the flynn and then i pull out the middle rod.

once i'm done with all the complex designs i just cut out all the basting stitches.

i should also let you know that i usually don't make quilts over 6 feet square.

although i have quilted a King size quilt on the flynn and it wasn't that bad.

Mine works OK on smaller quilts but I like to make larger quilts and I haven't been able to master using it. Mine sits unused most of the time.

kluedesigns - How were you able to quilt a king size quilt on the Flynn? I can't find rods that will fit with the end pieces, so I can't figure out how to extend the system :(

:roll: Hi,
Im new to this. was interested in getting some help with free motion quilting - Im awful at it.. so was considering the Flynn frame or the Fabric motion gizmo that Viking at Joann Fabrics sells.. Please comment on what would be better.

go to home depot and buy some rods of electrical conduit. then you can cut it down to whatever size you need.

i don't have the fabric mover but i did comparison shop it when considering the flynn frame.

i spent 2 hours quilting on the fabric mover with a 60 x 60 quilt and it was still difficult to work with. i intentionally brought my own quilt to the store for this reason.

they always have the mover set up with a small quilt sandwich and lets face it how is it to quilt something that 18 x 18. its the large quilts that have drag thats the problem.

i've also altered my sewing table so that its easier to quilt. this is the link to the set up i have - it cost a couple of bucks from home depot.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAS25...eature=related

I tried the metal conduit that he suggested. The problem isn't the length of the pipe (they all come in 10 ft pieces). The END of the pipe was either too big or too small for the black ends of his machine. So when I tried to put the black end on, which I need to make the machine work, it wouldn't fit

but the black ends are held onto the rods with screws.

you buy the conduit that fits inside the black end piece and then you buy some longer screws that hold it in place if the screws you are currently using aren't long enough.

its that easy.

I've never used the Flynn frame but I have the Fabric Mover thing for my Viking (in the box, under the bed). As Klue said, you try it at the store and watch the demo disc and it's all being done on a small quilt sandwich. The lady in the demo disc is smiling and you think it looks pretty simple. NOT!! Anything larger than 24x24 is next to impossible to quilt-the area is simply too small. I guess I should add that this is just my experience and someone else may be able to give some better insight or had better luck with the Fabric Mover thing. As for me, it's just something I stub my toe on every night when I get into bed. (And expensive at that; I don't know the cost of a Flynn frame so can't compare)

i got the flynn frame with all the rods & PVC for $65.

Thanks, so, do you quilt with the Flynn? I loved the idea of the table extension with the foam boards.. will deft. have to try that.

The fabric mover gizmo is now about $99 and the Flynn wasnt too much more at one of the online stores.. Im going to a quilt show in Madison Wi this week so hope to look at some of these gadgets..

may I ask where you ordered it from?

I purchased the Flynn a few months ago from All Brands.

http://www.allbrands.com/productsear...lynn&x=25&y=13

I have tried it twice so far. Actually tried it yesterday. Had a heck of a time with it. First, because you turn your sewing machine straight towards you, the power cord and the foot pedal no longer reach the ground. You have to sit on two pillows, and put the foot pedal on a box of some kind and it tends to fall off constantly.

Next, because I use my standard small neck sewing machine (Singer commercial grade or a New Home (Janome)), I only had about 4 inches that I could maneuver through and was always hitting one side or the other which really makes your circles flat on the sides.

I had no trouble moving the frame, it was very smooth. But trying to follow a pattern or even make circles was very hard. I imagine a lot of practice would help this if I don't throw it out the window before then.

Also, "sewing" your quilt top, batting and backing to the leader material on the PVC pipes is a pain, and you haven't even started quilting yet.

So, I will put in a few more hours trying to get this thing to work before I hollar UNCLE. I hate SITD and I don't have the money to send them to a LAQ.

Okay, I'll try looking again... we couldn't find anything that would fit inside the piece. It always was the same size as the inner loop so it wouldn't fit <b>over</b> the inner loop, or the bigger sizes were too big... hmmm, I'll try again.

Thanks :)

if its a smaller quilt, like 4 feet or under, i just quilt with the foam extension like in the youtube video.

when its over 4 feet i quilt with the flynn frame.


my sewing machine has a very small throat (about 5 inches) so the first thing i do on the flynn is either some stitch in the ditch or basting stitches (if i don't want any stitch in the ditch on the quilt).

this way i'm able to pull out the middle rod and i can work on more complex quilting designs without having to start and stop the design.

with the middle rod in place you have to work across the length of the quilt, then move it forward and quilt that row - this makes it very difficult on a 5 inch throat to do an 8 inch feathered wreath motif. so i work quickly to remove that middle rod.

once the middle rod is out you can quilt how ever you like because you can move the quilt forward and back as desired.

I figured it out! The sleeve pieces came already attached and they looked like permanent pieces of the end piece. Well, a needle-nose plier and some brute strength (well, slight exaggeration :D) later, I got the piece off and now it will fit other pipes.

I read in the instructions that 6 sleeves were included but I assumed they were forgotten or something, heh. So now I'm all good to start quilting

Thanks for your help

wonderful!!

i think it helped that mine didn't come put together. i had to build the entire thing and the first quilt i ever did on it was a king size so i had to buy new rods from the start.

Sounds like you are having quite a challenge.. I think I will follow your attempts and successes before getting one of these "helpers"... I have to think of getting another sewing machine as the one I was going to designate to it, a Sears 100 is acting up...
thanks for your comments.

its really not a complication thing, the OP just wasn't aware that the black end caps can be removed with ease and placed onto any rod she desires.

The machine itself seems pretty simple and easy. With the caps on there, nothing fit, but once the caps are removed - tada perfect for any size quilt. I'll post updates once I start quilting on it. I have to exercise some self control since I have to make some Alice in Wonderland card costumes by yesterday, but I keep wanting to play with my new toy

Will be watching for your comments..Thanks much all of you for your comments, looks like I might be going down this path..