I use the same machine on the frame and find I have the same issue. I get my sweetie to take it off the frame and put it on my table when I want to do custom quilting, BUT it is a big pain in the you know what. I also hate to baste or pin layers so that is a bother to me too. I also have a long arm on my lottery winning list, LOL, but I really need to replace my 14yo car first