Originally Posted by
quiltedsunshine
I think you would only be able to quilt about a 3" or 4" swatch at a time. Less when you roll the quilt. I don't think it would be very efficient.
Agree. Anyone considering putting a DSM on a longarm frame should first put a section of 4" diameter pool noodle or pipe insulation against the throat of the machine. That represents the rolled up quilt that's already been quilted (with not super-puffy batting). Measure that distance to the other side of the throat (not all the way to the needle, since the needle isn't at the edge of the throat). That remaining distance is how wide of a stripe you can quilt with a machine on a frame.
You would basically be able to do a simple edge-to-edge, but you won't be able to FMQ a design in a block without a lot of starting and stopping to roll back a forth a few inches.