My friend found one at a resale shop for $50. Hope all the parts are there...pick it up tomorrow.
I will let you know. Now what kind of machine do I need?

Any machine that can do fmq will work. Larger throat is better. Single needle stitch plate is helpfull.

Can hardly wait.

go the Grace frame site and get the # to call them and ask them which Domestic machine is best. The frame does not take the larger mid arm machines!

Wish I was so lucky....Good for you

A friend offered me one but said it was difficult to set up, that is why she never used it! I don't need it but I wondered how hard they can be to set up! Hope you post a pic when you get it!

I have a Brother 1500s with a 9" throat on a Little Gracie II frame. The manual that came with it says it will hold up to a 15" throat. I have seen where some people suggest even up to 17". There is only 14" between poles, so that leaves a max of appx 12" work area because the needle does not go to the pole. Not with my machine anyways. And remember the rolled up quilt will take up several inches of that 14" space between poles. Note, the longer throat area, the bigger work area. With my 9" throat, I start with a 6" space. I finnish the quilt with 4-5" of space to work with. This works well for me. I am still learning. I have had my frame for a year now. Enjoy your new toy. I have. - Juki and Janome also have similar machines to the Brother that I have. Bailey has machines that start at 13" then 15" and 17".

DebbyT, thanks for your advice on this blog and on others.
I just set up my strait stitch on a long arm table and have been practicing. I have the Baby Lock Jane machine and got the stitch regulator for it, most strait stitch machines can be hooked up to one on a frame. It makes a big difference to have the stitchs all the same length.
Also bought a set of pantographs that have 4 different very simple designs on a roll. Cant wait to try them out. They are only 4 inchs wide so they will work with the 9 in throat area.
I do not like the complicated threading on the straight stitch machine but cannot afford a long arm so must make the most of it.
Now I need to watch my rows to see just how much distance I can get on a full bobbin since you cannot see how much thread is left on it. This is a big problem. So far Ive found it dosnt go very far.

I get about 1 1/2 rows and the bobbin runs out. Sometimes 2 rows, depending on the pattern/design. I also have a stitch regulator and it makes such a difference. I had to order mine and it took 2 weeks to arrive. When I got it on, what a difference. My Pfaff has a light that blinks when the bobbin is low. I am a bit spoiled. - I do usually pull the bobbin thread up through the quilt before I resume after changing the bobbin. - When I use a panto it is hard to watch if the bobbin runs out as I am watching the design, so I measure how long it lasts with the first whole bobbin and mark the quilt or panto where it should run out. When I do free motion, it is easier to spot.

I got it...all there but we lost a part on the transport...going to the site now to replace. Hope its not more than I paid for the whole thing. I will keepyou up to date.