maimeo

Hi everyone,

I just got a deal on a little Gracie 2 frame and wonder which machine I can get. The cheaper/older is better. Any suggestion?

Thank you in advance.

Macybaby

it depends on the carriage the machine came with. Did yours come with a speed controller you want to use, as they can be machine specific, but easy enough to replace.
I could have put a wide variety of machines on the carriage I had with my Grace frame, however one with a small harp would have severely limited how much I could quilt with each pass. Harp height was only a factor for longer quilts. You should look for something that is straight stitch only and has the ability to drop or disable the feed dogs as you won't need them. And one that you can get a hopping foot for, so if you go with a vintage machine make sure that will not be a concern.

RedGarnet222

Are you able to find out what they used on the frame? That would help a lot to see if they are compatible/comparable to size and weight to what you want to buy. I was able to go to a bernina from a janome machine easy enough.

maimeo

Yes, I found a Juki TL-98E that will fit on the frame. Now I need a stitch regulator. I want to test out this set up first to see if I need a stitch regulator or not. It seems little pricey.