Originally Posted by BKrenning

Thanks for all the addresses I'll look them up.

I totally agree. FMQ on a sit down machine is completely different than it is on a frame. I have a Voyager 17SLR (http://www.hinterberg.com) on a SuperQuilter Pro-Flex frame (http://www.superquilter.com) that I got on ebay for a song because the seller didn't elaborate enough which scared off other bidders. Even on SS/SSDI, it wouldn't take very long to pinch some pennies and hold a couple garage sales to buy a used frame and longer domestic or even stretched midarm if you keep an eye on craigslist, ebay, and the yahoo machine quilting groups.

Before the Voyager/Pro-Flex; I used an Elna 7200 domestic machine on a B-Line Studio frame (http://www.tobequilting.com) for 4 years. Even with the small throat on a domestic machine, you can easily teach yourself FMQ while doing all over meanders.

As for keeping your setup in a barn/shed without heat--it depends. If it's a strictly mechanical system--no LCD screens & you let it warm up, keep it oiled regularly and have sealed a wooden frame--it's doable. I know others who have all their quilting supplies in an unheated shed or attic but they use a portable heater to warm it up before they use their equipment. You'll have more cleaning & maintenance than if it were in your house but it can work.

And yes, there are computer controlled quilting systems but you'd have to pinch those pennies into gold to afford one and those I wouldn't not keep in a shed. I'd give up my living room!

There are some cheaper computer guided systems but still not cheap enough to keep in a shed. I have a PC Quilter (http://www.pcquilter.com) and there are other hobby systems out there--Qbot, Side Saddle, Shirley Stitcher, MQR, etc. but I strongly recommend starting without one first to see if you even like working on a frame. If you don't like all the fuss & bother of loading a quilt--no robot yet invented is going to do that part for you.