mamatobugboo

I am looking for a mid-arm machine and quilting frame to set up in my home - not for professional use but for personal. I currently sew on a 4 year old kenmore which is great for piecing, but it HATES my free motion quilting and anything really with more than 2 layers. So, I am ready to take the plunge financially into an appropriate machine/frame (although I'm not sure my hubs would agree :wink: !). i have looked at the janome (both 6600 and the 1600), the MegaQuilter, Pfaff and want to view the new JukiTL-98Q.

Anyone care to share their advice and recommendations for me?
Also, stick with just straight stitch machine or go with something like the Janome 6600?

Thanks, thanks and MORE Thanks!!!

luvmy2bts

I have a juki and I just love it! The frame I have it on is a handiquilter and I am thinking about upgrading to another frame. I need to do more research before I can say which one. LOL So many choices. I have heard great things about the Baileys mid-arm quilter also. They have a bunch of combos for sale on their site. One good thing about the Baileys is that it has either a 13" or 15" throat while the Juki or Janome only has
a 9" throat. Good luck in your search.

http://www.baileyssewingcenter.com/homequilter.htm.

Debbie

littlehud

I'm with you luvmy2bts. I also have a juki and just love it. It sews like a dream, It would be nice to have one with a larger throat, but I can quilt a king size quilt with my Juki so I have a hard time spending the extra money for a different larger machine.

CissyQuilts

Hi Stephanie, I have a HandiQuilter II frame and a Juki TL98Q. I love my Juki! The only drawback is the 9 inch arm space. I would love to have a bigger throat space. But it is much nicer than crawling around the floor to pin baste, then stuffing your quilt through your regular machine. I recommend the handihandles if you are thinking of buying a HandiQuilter frame. You can start and stop, control the speed and cut your thread with them. Hope this helps.

Knot Sew

These are more affordable than I thought, now if the heat prices were normal I could afford this.

http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp07149.html?ovchn=SPRI&ovcpn=Froogle&ovcrn=Froogle&ovtac=CMP

mamatobugboo

THANK YOU!! I am going to check out the Juki. I've read really great things about it so it's even better to have personal users sing its praises also!

It has gotten so bad with my Kenmore that I have taken a break from quilting a CRIB sized quilt! and I another crib sized one (my BFF had twins) lined up and my dad's US Naval Academy quilt top finished and ready to go. I need a new machine!

Thanks again everyone!

mamatobugboo

It does, thanks! I like the fact that it sits on a table top...

Janeen

I told you, you guys are a baaaaaaaaaaaaad influence...
we just ordered the Bailey's 13"

We figured if we hate the frame we can always go with something different.
We already knew we did NOT want a 9" machine. We went in a shop down in Mobile that had a 9" Baby Lock set up and right off the bat you can see there is very little room for stitching after the quilt is rolled up. I also know someone who has a 9" machine and she is unhappy with the small stitiching field.

Can't afford a 'real' long arm - debated over getting the 15" Bailey's but finally decided on the 13...

The guy I talked to is Dan - he said shipping times are longer now because they are having so many sold.. (up to 3 weeks)... that gives us time to get our room ready :wink:

mamatobugboo

Thanks for all your input, everyone! I am going to try out the Juki with the HandiQuilt frame sometime over the next few weeks! Told my hubs about it last night (he knew I had been looking) and he said all the normal stuff about xmas and b'day and anniversary coming up...and then he said that "Friday's coming up too" so hopefully that means that I'll get it before November!
Thanks again!

dojo36

i have the janome 6600 and wouldn't have any other, luv it, luv it