jeanharville

There is also a class on Craftsy about how to quilt large quilts on a small machine. Here last name is Peterson and she shows you how to cut the batting and quilt in sections. She's a very good instructor and you will learn a lot from her. She spray bastes and stitches in the ditch before FMQ. I highly recommend this class. Maybe you can catch it on sale. Even when you pay full price it's cheaper than most local classes. Check it out. (no affiliation, just a satisfied customer)

purplefiend

7" of harp space is quite doable for even a queen size quilt, its all in how you spread your quilt out. I have used a Bernina 930(7") & 1031 for many years(6.5"). I have quilted as large as queen size quilts, its not easy but can be done.
Sharon W. in Texas

Jim's Gem

I just finished FMQ on a quilt that was 100 x 111 on my domestic size Bernina. It went a lot easier and better than I thought it would. You can do it! I have a great desk that my machine sinks into and the back folds up to give me a large surface. I just put stuff around the edges so that the quilt would not fall off the desk and pull.

JanieH

-Go for it -I have quilted large items on my old Elna with a small harp but it is good advice to start with smaller items and work up. That's what I did and I learned alot about maneuvering and manipulating the pieces as I went along!

cricket_iscute

You should be able to fmq on your machine with no problems. Start small to practice, as the others have said, and think about quilting in sections. Marti Michell has a good book on that. It's called "Machine Quilting in Sections." Here is a link:

http://www.amazon.com/Marti-Michell-...mitchell+books

You will probably have questions as you learn. I highly recommend a craftsy.com class on fmq and you can always get answers here, on this board.

Go for it! Start with potholders.

Cricket

cricket_iscute

I have taken another of Ann Peterson's class on Craftsy.com and I agree. She is a great teacher!

cricket_iscute

I agree with all of these. I would add that it is important to have your machine recessed or your support surface around it elevated to the level of the bed. You also need good ergonomics, good lighting - and a glass of wine does not hurt! You need to relax.

What needle do you use for fmq? I used to use denim needles until a quilting teacher suggested a top stitch needle, and I like that better. The needles that Schmetz calls "quilting" needles should really be called "piecing" needles, IMHO. I don't like them for fmq at all.

I also have a vintage Viking, and it free motion quilts very well.

Cricket

Jannie

7" is on the small size, however, at a PIQF show there was an elderly gentleman that had done several quilts on a featherweight machine. He had some beautiful quilts and all the ladies were amazed by his work. Give it a try. You might decide it isn't as bad as you think.

loisf

In the picture section there is a picture of a quilt and the machine that the FMQ was done on. I'm sure it's only a 7" harp. The post is called Furballs and Fireworks. Good luck.

MarleneC

My Viking D1 has a 7.5" harp and I done large pieces on it. Doing a quarter of the quilt at time makes the job much easier. I don't roll the quilt--I bunch it up and push it through.