ruck9085

I have a Singer Quilting machine, which really is just a sewing machine with a ton of stitches and such. So, I read on here about y'all doing free motion quilting and machine quilting on your machines. Here's my question... Am I the only person left who not only does not own a long arm machine, but will never be able to afford one?
Okay, enough whining. My biggest problem is I hand quilt all my projects because I only make bed quilts. I've tried a few times to machine quilt, but it just doesn't work for me. For one thing the throat on my machine is like eight inches and I can not figure out how to roll up a queen sized quilt and stuff it into that small space. How on earth do you all quilt on your sewing machines?

BETTY62

I am in the same situation that you are and I am looking forward to seeing the post from others. Thank you for asking this question.

dpparris

That makes 3 of us.

DebsShelties

I don't have a longarm either. Have read places where they quilt in quarters for large items. One quarter at a time, then attach them to each other.
Some machines have a longer throat space which makes doing large projects easier.

jean1941

4 here

pocoellie

No, you're not the only quilter who doesn't have a long arm, but we can still dream, can't we? There are affordable "long arms" out there, and in a few years we'll hopefully have the money and the room for me to get one.

I do have a fairly large throat on my machine(10") but it's still a bear to manhandle a king size quilt through it.

Lori S

I have seen some quilters add the batting as the progress in the quilting. This is different than a quilt as you go , inthat the top is completed in the traditional manner. So if you are working from left to right on the quilt , the rolled up part under "the arm" is thinner becauase the batting has not been added to the backing and top. I Have tried this on smaller projects just to see if I could mange the technique , and I have to say they are on to something. I found adding a few feet of batting as the quilting progesses to be much more favorable than trying to STUFF and manage that whole quilt.
I use warm and natural batting so adding the batting via a long zig zag stich is really easy. I cover the area previously quilted , and do use spray as I am adding to the batting.
It far from the capabilites of a long arm , but it gets me further than the "stuffing" , rolling , and frustration techiniques of working with the whole quilts top , batting and backing.
It is still my preference to send out a full or larger top,as they ( long arm pros) can get better stitch regulation , and do more curves ( easily) than I can manage with only about 6 inches from needle to machine. But for straight lines , stitch in the ditch, or just a gentle curve this is not a bad option.

mimisharon

me, too, I use my Elna 7300 for all my quilting. Long arm is not on my budget or horizon.

Maggiemay

I have done a big quilt on my regular machine. I used a single decorative stitch (like a diamond shape) to "tie" it or tack it in the center most places. When I got more to the outside where I could move the quilt easier I did some FMQ & some hearts in the borders. There are at least 2 different tutorials in the tutorial section of the board that show Quilt as you go- square by square. I was just looking at them yesterday & they are on my to do list.

sewobsessed1

Oh, heck no!!
I'll never, ever be able to afford one (although I do dream of winning the lottery), so I only hand quilt. lol, it's much less effort that pulling and tugging one through a machine :D
Take heart, lots of us in the same boat and paddling right along with you.