i currently have a brother dream machine 2. it has a few motifs built in but they are too small. i buy single-run quilting motif/patterns from a few sources. you don't have to spend a ton of money to get nice designs.
it does take practice, but so does using a long-arm. i use a magnetic hoop that keeps the quilt flat in the hoop so it doesn't get stretched out of shape. (dime brand)
the biggest challenge for me is keeping the weight of the quilt off the machine bed and embroidery unit. if it drags or gets pulled out of alignment it can be disastrous. (i have even embroidered the foot to the quilt. that is NOT fun to fix.)
my free motion skills are so bad you can smell them in three states. i don't have room or money for a longarm. paying to have them quilted also doesn't fit my budget. getting the embroidery capable machine was the most economical way for me to have quilting options that fit my skill level.
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- necessity is the mother of invention. lazy is the crazy aunt.
