I really don't feel comfortable with a large longarm quilting machine and I am looking at what is called the "QueenQuilter Eighteen" sitdown model. It has an 18" open area, variable speed foot control with needle up/needle down position and frame. It comes mounted in a table and has an extra table that can be put in front of it or on the side.
The only quilting I have done has been hand quilting but I want to learn free motion quilting with a machine and this looks like something I can handle. Not alot of bells and whistles on it, but it does look like something I can learn to use. It is also more within my price range. It only quilts. It does not sew, but I have a good sewing machine.
I don't ever plan on being a professional quilter. I just love all the quilts I see on the board and I just feel that if all of you can do it then I can too. I love sewing and I love quilting, but I don't have a machine quilted quilt that I can call my own work yet.
Does anyone have any advice or comments about this machine? I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.

I took a class with a Juki Handi Quilter that has about that size arm and it drove me nuts- I could not make big patterns at all and had to keep stopping and unrolling and rerolling to the next spot. I feel that I can do the same things, maybe more on my home sewing machine. Sorry, but maybe if you spend a little more, you can get a real longarm.

Don't know about this machine, but I was able to try out an Easy Quilter at a quilt show and really, really liked it. The machine they used was the Janome 1600P (1600 stitches per minute). With this setup, you spray baste your quilt (which I like). Here is a link to the website:
http://www.easyquilter.com

I think it's a really nice alternative to the expensive longarm setups, and a great way to get started with FMQ. I sat down, the guy told me to "floor it", and I was immediately able to make flowers, etc. Fun, fun, fun!!!

p.s. It was the EasyQuilter 3 that I tried out at the quilt show. The tracking was really good. With large quilts, you would want to quilt in sections, but that is pretty easy to do by splitting the batting.

The big difference between this and most sitdown machines is that with the Easy Quilter you are moving the machine, not the quilt. I think that is always going to be easier.....

FYI, Juki and Handi Quilter are two differant companys. The Juki does have a smaller neck space. But, Handi Quilter ranges, depending on the model, 16" to 24". On the 24" fussion, you can quilt a 18" on point block. Hope this clears this up. Sorry, I havn't heard of the brand you are asking about. Good luck.

I have an HQ Sweet Sixteen sit down and love it - Oodles of space in the harp, I put a small desk beside the table to give me extra room (much cheaper than the extension to the original table) and I can do large patterns.

I think I would try FMQ on your current sewing machine to see how you like the general process. Just make up some practice sandwiches and see how it goes. Recently, there have been a lot of sit down models introduced, from several companies. If possible, I would also go to a show and see different units in person.
here's a link to a search on this board. Lots of info:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/search....it+down&u=&s=0

It is the long arm machine that costs so much.
Im on a fixed income so am trying the cheap alternative.
Buy the table, stitch regulator and a cheap strait stitch machine, which run around six hundred.
With tax and delivery and set up costs mine is costing 2300
I will only be able to quilt a small space at a time, around 5 inches, but will be the same method as a long arm.
Mine is being delivered next Mon. and Im excited.

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: ;) :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
I'll be watching - I'm looking for a sitdown machine, and doing some research via this site - hope it goes well!