I had the same problems, Marge. I finally learned to stabilize my quilt with pins which I hated. I also tried basting, which I hated. I used my regular machine with a short throat. That's the space from needle to machine body. I finally used the ping pong table to hold all that fabric. Finally decided that I had to have a quilting frame and machine. I'm also on a fixed income and started out with Flynn's frame. Too cunbersome. I finally got a frame made by Grace and I'm in seventh heaven. And it didn't break my bank. The pleasure I get from quilting now more than pays for it. If you do a lot of quilting, consider it.

Please tell more about your new Grace frame. Which one did you get, what size of quilts can you do etc. I have been looking at them online, and am very interested.

Hi Kathy, I bought the full length machine frame on line. I got the full size one because I have room to set it up permanently and it cost $650. You have to assemble it yourself but that is a breeze tho time consuming. I can quilt anything up to a king size. It is the best frame I have every seen in that price range. The wood is excellent and all the holes and screws fit where they are supposed to. It helps if you have a friend (husband?) to help you hold things. It has the third rail so you don't have to put your filling on the floor.
I use a Jenome sewing machine with a nine inch throat for sewing. I had to practice awhile till I got the hang of it but wouldn't have it any other way now. Let me know if you have any more questions. Marion

Thanks so much for the info Marion. I am reeaally eyeing the Grace frames. Does yours take up much room? It is hard to tell by the dimensions how much room they actually take up when all set up. Also do you like most of the designs it does? Thanks again. I bet you are just loving it.

Hi Kathy, My Gracie is 9 1/2 feet long and needs a depth of about five to six feet for working room. As I said before, it will take a king size quilt. I bought it from Kathy's Quilts on ebay. I couldn't have been happier about their shipping etc. I even called them before I ordered and they happily answered all my questions. A year later the company came out with ball bearing roller wheels and Kathy emaiiled me. I ordered them and had delivery within a week. Any questions emailed are answered immediately. Check out the Grace company on line to see all the models and attachments. I think they make a class AA product. Marion

I forgot something. Since I'm still a novice quilter, most of my actual quilring is either in the ditch or
stippling or meandering. There is a stylus you can ad which I have, to trace paper designs but I haven't graduated to that level yet. I'm 79 years old and had to have some body parts fixed up which slowed me down a bit. I'm going on a 2 week vacation soon so will take the next step when I return. Marion