BellaBoo

I have almost decided to get this frame: http://www.graceframe.com/site/machi...quilting-frame

I have the Brother 1500 machine and I think it will be a good beginner set up. Not much money invested if I find I not cut out to be a long armer. LOL. If anyone has any first hand knowledge of this frame I would like to hear pros and cons.

Yarn or Fabric

Before you buy a new one, check your local (and surrounding within driving distance areas) for a used frame. You can usually pick one up fairly cheap if you wait a bit. I wish I had waited to get one used...
I think that would be a great frame but it's really pretty costly imo. You would be able to use it with a bigger machine which chances are you would end up getting after seeing what you can and can not do with a 9" throat.

I live in an area that I didn't think I'd see too many quilting machines come up on Craigslist and I have seen quite a few in the last year alone. I'd keep an eye on the boards, join the Home Quilting Systems yahoogroup (people list their machines & frames fairly often as well) Just don't rush in to a big hefty purchase

quilts4charity

I have a super quilter pro flex frame that I used with a juki and now an Innova longarm....it was way less that his one as the rails are conduit you buy at lowes or home depot. Very simple and easy to use.

PaperPrincess

I have a grace frame, looks very similar to the one in the picture, but the take up roller does not have the crank. I have it set up at 10 feet. It is very sturdy, I have no vibration and the join in the rails is very smooth, no jerk when I go across it. Having said that, I think the movement on my frame is stiff. I can do SITD without a ruler because the carriage really wants to go N-S or E-W. I can do a large to medium curve without much of a problem, but recently, I've tried to do finer quilting, like small stippling and pebbling. I've had lots of problems with pebbles with square corners and jagged stippling. I tried a bit of the same style quilting on a friend's top of the line, high end machine and was much more successful. She has a quilting business and her frame cost as much as my whole set up. The wheels on my carriage (the thing that holds the machine) look identical to the ones in the picture in the link. So, I guess my bottom line is that on the whole, I think the frame is just fine, but is slightly limiting. Is there any way you can try the frame out at a dealers? Even if you have to drive somewhere and make a day trip out of it, I think it would be worth it. There are always lots of posts on which Long Arm to get, but very little is ever mentioned on the frame, which I think is also very important.

Tashana

The Majestic is the top of the line and it takes quilts from crib to king. I ordered mine as a part of Baileys LA package and it should be here any day. I can let you know how big the beast is once I set it up.

KarenR

There's a Tin Lizza for sale that I noticed earlier today. Look under for sale.

If your interested in a used system.

BellaBoo

Thanks everyone. Tashana I'll be waiting for your review. I'm not in a hurry to buy. I have read too many bad reviews about customer service on a Tin Lizzy while still under warranty, I'll pass on that brand, especially a used one. I have used a high end Gammill so know the limitations of the less expensive ones. Heck, I like my John Flynn set up and do pretty good on it. Just in the mood for something new and a step up from that.

Jingle

If I had the room for any long arm set up. I would buy a machine meant to be used with the frame.

Rose Marie

I have the Imperial frame with a Baby Lock Jane, its the same machine as the Brother 1500.
Do not like the machine at all. Its just not meant to use on a long arm frame. It is useless for doing anything over 4 in wide.
Its a problem to thread and pull up the thread to start sewing since you cant turn the wheel as you cant reach it.
Save up your money for a machine thats meant for the table.

NanaCsews2

I checked into the Grace Start Right and they are under $700. I would think this to be a good beginner frame. I have never done longarm quilting, but I can't see spending a lot of money for something I might not like doing. I hope you can find a used one and try that.