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Old 04-09-2026, 04:33 AM
  #8  
Snooze2978
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Carroll, Iowa
Posts: 4,005
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I started out with a Grace Pro Frame 10ft long similar to that one. Had the same type carriage but if you're doing large quilts, you'll find out you have very little depth (throat) space as you advance the quilt. Your machine probably has maybe a 9 inch throat and once you get to the end of your quilt, you have very little space to move the machine around unless you turn the quilt around. It's a great starting point to see if you even like quilting though. I advanced to a PCQ robotic system and then added another gadget and for the life of me can't remember the name but it allowed you to use up to 17 inches even with a 9 inch throat.

I then advanced to another robotic system called MQR that used some of the parts from the PCQ so I didn't lose too much of my investment. Then I advanced my 9 inch throated machine to an 18 inch throat where someone cut the machine in half and stretched it but I'm sure he's died after all these years unless someone took over his business. The machine didn't look pretty but worked like a charm. I finally advanced to a 26 inch machine and 12ft frame. Sold my old system to a couple in Illinois.

So my starting small gave me the clue on whether I'd even care to quilt my own quilts without going into big debt. And yes, I'm still quilting to this day. My first system started back in 2005 so 20 years I've been quilting my own quilts.

Good luck with your new system. It will be great for small projects such as baby quilts, wall hangings, table runners and maybe small lap quilts if you turn it around halfway.
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