If you have a longarm, what kind do you have?
03-23-2013, 05:32 AM
#41
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: SW Minnesota
Posts: 1,120
I got a APQS Freedom in Nov. 2011. I love it and have done 100 quilts on it with no problems with the machine. Before that I had a Tin Lizzie 18 for a year and did about 60 quilts on that --but had various problems with that machine and had to get new parts for it 4 times in that year. Sold it and bought my APQS and don't think I will ever part with my APQS. My second choice was the Handi Quilter Fusion. I have also heard very good things about Innova but at that time there was no Dealer closer than about 5 hours from me so didn't have the opportunity to test drive that machine and I was ready to purchase a different machine since I had sold my Tin Lizzie. I do quilt for customers along with working a full time job outside of the home so it is important for me to have a machine that is a workhorse because I need it to work when I have the time to quilt.
03-23-2013, 06:27 AM
#43
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Steamboat Springs, CO
Posts: 158
I have a Gammil Vision 18. I've had it a little over a year and have quilted about 10 quilts so far. We moved to a new home and my quilting has been interrupted....I'm ready to get back to it as my quilting studio is just about finished. I bought mine from Jukebox Quilts and can not say enough about their sales and service! I love my machine!
03-23-2013, 06:36 AM
#44
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,893
I have a Nolting 20" Fun quilter with computer on a 12' frame with hydrolics. Since Dec 2010 I've done over 80 quilts. (I've actually lost count, I may do that today - in my spare time! lol )
I love it! It works great, was easy to learn and when there are issues the tech support is the BEST. I also use leader grips so loading and unloading the quilts, no matter what size are easy to do and takes a lot less time than pinning or even zipping them.
Phyllis
QuiltingGrannie
I love it! It works great, was easy to learn and when there are issues the tech support is the BEST. I also use leader grips so loading and unloading the quilts, no matter what size are easy to do and takes a lot less time than pinning or even zipping them.
Phyllis
QuiltingGrannie
Last edited by QuiltingGrannie; 03-23-2013 at 06:40 AM.
03-23-2013, 06:44 AM
#45
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Carroll, Iowa
Posts: 3,380
I started off with a Viking MegaQuilter 9" on a Grace Pro frame 10 ft with PCQ robotics, moved up to a stretched Juki 18" with MQR retrofit and finally since moving to Iowa, an Innova 26 LS on a 12 ft frame, lots of bells and whistles and upgraded MQR robotics. Haven't quilted too many on the new frame as yet due to life getting in the way so maybe 3 since late Dec 2012. Have 4 in the wings waiting to be quilted as soon as I'm capable due to foot surgery. I'm loving this setup, the customer service is to die for as they want their customers to be happy no matter what it takes. The MQR folks are just the same, they want you to be happy.
03-23-2013, 08:21 AM
#46
Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Overland Park, KS
Posts: 54
Have an 18" Innova on a 12 ft frame. Wonderful machine, easy maintainance, great company support. The frame is so sturdy and easy for add ons. I have added a batting cage and a holder for a full roll of batting so far. After 2 years with it would guess I have quilted maybe 80 items, 3 of those were king sized, 7 ot 8 queen and many other, smaller sizes. No robotics for me, love to design my own freehand and go for it. Kind of wish I had gone for the 22" and not roll quite so often.
Best wishes with your search and decision.
Lynne in eastern KS
Best wishes with your search and decision.
Lynne in eastern KS
03-23-2013, 09:22 AM
#47
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Littlefield, TX, USA
Posts: 1,077
I have a TL18LS (TinLizzie18). I got it in 2009 & love it. I have added a Qbot robot quilter to my Lizzie...and love that also.
The TinLizzie Company has really stepped up their customer service in the last year...and are working hard to make ownership a pleasant experience.
In the past, dealers had asked the company to have customers contact the dealer for help, but that help was not always given.
If you own a TL product, you will want to register it at the TL18 website (http://www.tinlizzie18.com), and should you need assistance that your dealer (of if you don't have a dealer) can't help with...let the folks at TL18 company know.
Most know I love my lizzie...have had no real issues that were not user error, except an issue with surging...it would have been a quick adjustment of a screw, but the TL company was not aware that I have experience with computer assembly, so could make the adjustment...so they replaced my board...and it still raced...so I told the tech that there should be an adjustment on the board...he said yes, and walked me through the process...turn the screw one hour..easy peasy.
All longarm machines are industrial sewing machines that are adjusted (no feed dogs, electronics added) to be used on a quilting frame. Each brand has it's pros and cons...try to look at as many as you can..try them if you can, and make your decision on what makes you comfortable.
I will add...customer service availability is key...without it, you will be frustrated at times...oh, and do join a Yahoo group for the machine(s) you are thinking about getting...check with the members on issues and how they are resolved...95% are usually user error/learning curve.
Marge
The TinLizzie Company has really stepped up their customer service in the last year...and are working hard to make ownership a pleasant experience.
In the past, dealers had asked the company to have customers contact the dealer for help, but that help was not always given.
If you own a TL product, you will want to register it at the TL18 website (http://www.tinlizzie18.com), and should you need assistance that your dealer (of if you don't have a dealer) can't help with...let the folks at TL18 company know.
Most know I love my lizzie...have had no real issues that were not user error, except an issue with surging...it would have been a quick adjustment of a screw, but the TL company was not aware that I have experience with computer assembly, so could make the adjustment...so they replaced my board...and it still raced...so I told the tech that there should be an adjustment on the board...he said yes, and walked me through the process...turn the screw one hour..easy peasy.
All longarm machines are industrial sewing machines that are adjusted (no feed dogs, electronics added) to be used on a quilting frame. Each brand has it's pros and cons...try to look at as many as you can..try them if you can, and make your decision on what makes you comfortable.
I will add...customer service availability is key...without it, you will be frustrated at times...oh, and do join a Yahoo group for the machine(s) you are thinking about getting...check with the members on issues and how they are resolved...95% are usually user error/learning curve.
Marge
Originally Posted by mary123
If you have a longarm machine, what kind do you have, how long have you had it,
and about how many quilts have you quilted on it?
Thanks.
and about how many quilts have you quilted on it?
Thanks.
03-23-2013, 09:27 AM
#48
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Littlefield, TX, USA
Posts: 1,077
TinLizzie18 has really stepped up customer service in the last year. They have several techs who usually get back within the same or next day. We have the TinLizzieLongarm group at yahoo...and the messages touting the help at the company level reflects this. No, they won't type out and email step by step help (they don't have individual computers)...they will walk you through tests, adjustments over the phone & if needed, you can send the machine in for service (if you don't have a local dealer, or if your dealer is not trained properly).
Originally Posted by topstitch
I have a Nolting and it is wonderful with terrific tech. support. I have done maybe 50 quilts on it in the last 5 months.
This is my second machinewith my first being a Tin Lizzie which was a real lemon with absolutely no tech. or company support. Noltings are work horses that just can't be beat. I "driven" most other brands and have not found one that is better no matter what the price. Nolting cost maybe a little more than Tin Lizzie but are sush a great machine it is well worth the difference.
This is my second machinewith my first being a Tin Lizzie which was a real lemon with absolutely no tech. or company support. Noltings are work horses that just can't be beat. I "driven" most other brands and have not found one that is better no matter what the price. Nolting cost maybe a little more than Tin Lizzie but are sush a great machine it is well worth the difference.
03-23-2013, 09:13 PM
#49
Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 8
I have a Babylock Crown Jewell and I love it! It is my 3rd long arm and by far the best! I have had it for about 3 years and have done probably 200 quilts on it. I quilt for several ladies besides myself and it's a very dependable, easy machine. If you are a home quilter and not able to spend the money for a Gammil this one's for you.
03-24-2013, 08:52 AM
#50
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: kansas
Posts: 6,407
I just--like yesterday!, bought a 2006 Gammill Classic Plus 22" from the husband of a fellow Guild member. She passed about a month ago--she was not only a wonderful person, but a talented quilter. She used it for both her own and professionally and was so talented. He threw in all the rulers,guides,bobbins,needles, books and literature, seperate winder, etc. I'm also buying lots of batting and thread from him once he gets it inventoried--I'm frankly too overwhelmed to even think about all the fabric! My new Gammill isn't home yet--it has a 14' table (huge!) and we are storing furniture in the basement for my son until he moves into a new place in mid-April. I can hardly wait! I had rented time on a Nolting before and like long-arming, wanted a machine and just kept telling myself that $$ and space prevented me from it. My mother, who taught me to sew (much to my Home Ec teacher's chagrin, since my Mom was a great sewer that new short-cuts) left me some inheritance recently. My goal and hope is that I can be nearly as good at my work as both my Mom and my friend, the previous owner.
Since Gammill is headquartered in West Plains MO and I'm only about 3-4 hrs from there and only 3 from a major dealer in Springfield (where my Mom lived and we always went to this shop) AND there is tech support, in person, only about 30 min from me I'm feeling pretty comfortable--plus have another Guild friend that has a similar Gammill that can help me get started and a friend of the previous owner that has volunteered to give me some lessons. Can't wait until mid-April!
Since Gammill is headquartered in West Plains MO and I'm only about 3-4 hrs from there and only 3 from a major dealer in Springfield (where my Mom lived and we always went to this shop) AND there is tech support, in person, only about 30 min from me I'm feeling pretty comfortable--plus have another Guild friend that has a similar Gammill that can help me get started and a friend of the previous owner that has volunteered to give me some lessons. Can't wait until mid-April!
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