long arm sit down vs stand up
 

OK - So now I'm really confused. I test drove a Tin Lizzie 18" this weekend and thought I wanted a sit down machine.
They had a fantastic sale on stand up machines so I looked at those as well. I know that for the difference in price I'm getting a much better deal with the stand up but I'm wondering how easy it is to do stitches like SID or echo with a long arm stand-up vs. and sitdown. I know there is a learning curve moving the machine instead of the fabric but I don't know about having enough control to use the stand up for SID. I'd hate to have to use my Babylock for those type of quilitng stitches and not be able to use the long arm. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have a birthday coming up in a few weeks and need to start dropping some hints. Thanks for your suggestions.

You can do SID with a longarm. You use a ruler to help stay in the ditch, although some quilters are good enough (not me) to do it without the ruler. I haven't practiced that much with SID on the longarm, but I figure I'm already about as good at it as I was doing SID on the DSM, meaning not perfect but passable. There are a lot of advantages to having a frame, but there are some advantages to the sit down models too. Innova just introduced a sit down longarm recently with stitch regulator - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBxT49mFsTQ. If I were looking for a sit-down longarm (I already own an Innova) I would look at it.

You need to consider a few things including: how long can you stand? any physical limitations? pushing fabric thru the machine takes upper arm and shoulder strength. Budget? and of course the biggie: do you have ROOM for a frame? I cannot answer these for you, only you know what will work best for YOU. I ended up upgrading twice before ending up with a gently used Gammill. I am happy I used the other two set ups. I learned : I CAN machine quilt, I LOVE to machine quilt, what features I wanted and what size frame and machine. Test drive as many as you can!

I just machine quilt on my Juki TL98QE or Babylock Jane, I would love to have a sit down long arm. I saw the George demostrated on TV and looked easy to use. I don't have any room for any one, other than the ones I already have.

I have a Gammill (stand up) and love it. I also have back and foot problems but...I can sit down when I need to so that's a non-issue for me. It does slow you down a bit, but everybody needs to take a break...:)

I have a Hinterburg frame that can be set up for either sit down or stand up. When I got the frame, had to set it up in a room with carpet, so couln't sit down and have a chair roll back and forth. I got use to standing up and now that the frame is on hardwood flooring, I guess I could learn to sit down, but I think I'd have to have a new learning curve time:)

Just get a rolling stool with your frame. You can sit or stand as you want and if you get tired. Lots of people use rolling stools with theirs so they don't have to stand.

I have a "stand up" long arm machine. It has adjustable legs, so I adjust them all the way down and sit on a rolling office chair. I can do a nice section with my machine, then just move over and do another section! Ann

I've only FMQ'd on my Singer 237 but I am longing to find the money to purchase the HQ Sweet Sixteen which is a sit down longarm. I don't really have room for a frame set up plus I'd like to take my longarm with me when we travel so the sit down Sweet Sixteen seems to fit the bill for me. I guess I'm waiting for that summer rainbow to drop a pot of gold at my house. :)

Shari

Baby Lock has an 18 inch longarm called the Crown Jewell. I have one and love it. But i have room for the frame (A Grace Majestic frame) and I can stand for long periods. It has extra handles called micro handles for doing small patterns and close work. I guess you have a Baby Lock Dealer that you use for your DSM.
I am now sold on the stand up models.