Anyone interested in talking about short arm quilting?? Challenges of creating and using quilting patterns that are used in small vertical area of maximum 3".

I have a short arm all set up, but have not used it yet. I refuse to start anything new until I get this dumb art quilt done, but then stand back! I can hardly wait to get started.

Pam,

How funny!! Know just what you mean about getting through a project!!

Really like the short arm, but we are limited in designs. The meander comes out nice, as do some other overall designs. Guess I am looking for a larger design that could be done in "stages" as the quilt is rolled during the quilting. So, say, you have a 6" plain square (or triangle or other open space) and want to add a motif to fit. With our short arm, we are limited to about 3-4" of quilting space after the quilt is rolled. Would like to see samples of quilting that can be partially done and finished with the rolling up of the quilt.

Maybe others out there will have some good ideas! Really like this format for sharing!!

Good luck in finishing your project!!

Mary Jean

this is my "baby"

http://www.patscalicocottage.com/gammillshortarm.asp

she quilts a 6 inch pantograph quite happily, and the table is 12 feet, so I can get a BIG quilt done easily

have no real problems, just frustration sometimes when she has a tantrum :-D

I'm basically a hand-quilter but learning to machine quilt. What I like about handquilting is the ability to make "designs" or something specific in quilted areas. I can't figure out how to do this when MQ. Other than SID and a very bad attempt at FMQ, I don't know what else to do. I'd be very interested in following any suggestions you get to be able to put a "design" on my quilt blocks working from such a small available area.

Thanks for starting this thread; hoping for lots of suggestions.

Will you describe for me "short arm" Are you using a regular sewing machine on a track and working like the long arm machines. Therefore, the space is limited.

I have a mid-arm and wouldn't want anything smaller ---- isn't anything smaller really just a sewing machine on a frame????? I'd LOVE to have a long-arm!!! One of these days I'll remember to buy a lottery ticket...I'm SURE my winning #s are out there!!!

I hope I understood this right-I'm using just my regular sewing machine. Sorry if if you were talking about sewing with a frame.

Yes, my Husqvarna quilting machine is set up on a frame and has a stitch regulator. However, the throat space is small. So, as the quilt is rolled this space becomes more narrow. By the time you roll to the end of the quilt, you may have only 3" or so of quilting space.

Seemed a good price at the time; however, quite limited.

Yep, a smaller throat space. Hindsight is always 20/20. However, at the time the price seemed right. I have a Husqvarna quilting machine with stitch regulator. The overall designs are o.k. -- much better than spending the $$$ to send out for long arm. However, am a bit disappointed about the small quilting space.

Anyone out there own a Husqvarna quilting machine with frame??