I've suddenly realized that I'm doing just the research many ladies on this thread have talked about...
At AQS QuiltWeek yesterday, I was actually looking for a frame because it's gotten to be a pain (quite literally) to crawl around on the hardwood floor to pin-baste my quilt sandwich. I did a full (double) bed size one a couple weeks ago and was in pain for days. (Maybe I need to go to the gym or yoga...but that's another story!)
Anyway, I'm already getting an idea of what I want. I'd tried a mid-arm, I think it was an HQ 16, at a quilt show last year but didn't like their stitch regulator, and of course, that doesn't even use a frame.
Yesterday, I found the Grace frames, and talked to a local dealer. We agreed that using my $3500 Brother VQ3000 isn't probably the best for that machine.
I thought about a straight stitch machine, as many people use a Brother 1500 or Juki 2010(?) with the Grace frames. However, having that little space (these have 9" throats) to quilt seems to be very limiting. I.e, I think it would drive me crazy.
I did try and really liked the Block RockIt, but my local Brother dealer seemed quite down on it (I need to talk to him some more to see if he really knows something bad about it.) If I go that route I want to wait until another show--as a show special, they had the BRI with the frame for the same price as the machine alone.
I think I'll also try the "rent time at a local shop" idea--we do have one that does that, I think--just to try a long arm. I don't think I"d even be able to justify half the cost of most LA machines, but I want to try that out before making any decisions.
Long story short:
I want a frame to prevent the crawl on the floor problem
I want enough working space to FMQ a whole block area at a time
I don't want to spend $10K or more!!
I want a frame I can fit in my sewing room (which fortunately is long, though narrow)
Just starting the hunt! Thanks, everyone, for sharing your views here. Further advice and ideas eagerly awaited.
Hallie in NM