If you want to quilt a queen size quilt on your 9", a frame really helps since you don't have to baste and you don't have to wrestle the quilt around. I have a Pfaff 1200 on a frame and I wouldn't go back to not using a frame for anything larger than a crib size anymore. But, like Charlee said, by the time you get halfway through a queen size you either have to turn the quilt around on the frame or you will have a very small space to work with (I prefer to turn). So I'm saving my money for a LA - when I realized I could have had a Bailey for about what I spent on my present set up I knew I should have investigated more before I rushed out and bought the Pfaff. You're right to think about it before you leap into buying something.