I have been considering purchasing a new machine. I own a Janomme w/very little extras, some dec stitches. It does a great job for piecing my quilts. I am trying now to do my own quilting and my machine doesn't seem to be interested in that job!!! Sooo, I have looked at the Viking "Mega Quilter" that Joanne has on sale for $799. It does only quilting (& straight stitching). It comes with a walking foot and extension table but the manual does not mention "free motion" quilting. Does anyone have this machine and do you like it for quilting? I also looked at the Singer Confident Quilter--$399. It will also do everything and had some nice dec stitches, althought not the heavy duty quality of the Viking. Any opinions that could help me decide? Would appreciate the advice.

Do a search using the search feature above. I'm sure there are many threads about it.

The "mega-qulter" will do very nice free motion quilting. I used it for quite awhile on the Inspira frame and it did beautiful stitching. I have since bought a longarm, so I no longer use mine for quilting. I do use it for piecing because it is a workhorse. I didn't need fancy stitches because I have two Pfaff machines and the Disney embroidery machine. I don't know anything about the Singer. There are yahoo groups where you can find out more information from people who use the Mega-quilter.

Thanks so much for the info! Does everyone use this machine with a quilting frame? I do not have a frame.

I've been reading them~~~~thanks!!!!

Many people don't use a frame, I just didn't enjoy doing it without a frame. It was very frustrating to me.

Thanks!!!!

are you going to the quilt show in Columbus Ohio this Friday or Saturday?

No~~~but I wish I was!!!!

I have the Pfaff equivalent, both the Viking and Pfaff are built by Janome. It's a very nice machine for FMQ or as a first machine for a frame. I have mine on a frame.

Thank you! I'm still debating! Some say they have problems with the tension and breaking thread.

I, too, have the MegaQuilter on a frame. Since learning to use it, I wouldn't part with it. It's a reasonably priced alternative to a longarm, or having someone else quilt your quilts!

Thank you for the info. Seriously considering the Viking!

Hi Calico Grammy,
I found this site awhile ago and I'm still hoping to find someone local to build this for me. If you have hubby/friend/son who's handy in the workshop, this looks like a great way to have a machining frame for a reasonable price. If you decide on the Viking hope you'll post how you like it.
Good luck!

OOOPS! Sorry! Forgot to put the link in: http://mysite.ncnetwork.net/resquib3/index.html

I have a Mega Quilter and it is a real work horse. It Free Motion Quilts beautifully, just glides over the fabric.

I have it on the original Inspira frame and I'm not great at frame quilting. Stippling and Loopies are my best.

I would recommend the machine

The Viking is built by Janome? Is that right? :?:

Yes that's right. They are all the same machine under wolf's clothing :).

I just purchased the Viking Megaquilter and an Imperial Frame. I am very new to quilting. I got the machine first and did some practicing before putting it on the frame. I did read about people having tension and thread breaking problems so I was afraid to get it. Let me tell you that it sews like a champ. No problems with thread or breaking. I put it on the frame and did free motion and it sews beautifully. No problems with tension or thread so far. I just love it! I bought mine at Joann too. It came with a free motion foot but not a walking foot. Good Luck!!!

Yes. It's identical to the Janome 1600P. And the Janome 1600P has a 1/4" hopping foot, which can be purchased and is like the feet used for ruler work on the expensive longarm machines. I plan to purchase one and try it out on my Pfaff in the near future.

I have the machine you are talking about. It has a stitch regulator on it and there is a extra throat plate that you use for the free motion. If it is not on the machine it should be in with the extra foots and tools box. I also have the quilting frame, it is not so good. I am considering getting a better built one. I free motion on the frame. Make sure the small plate is in place before you free motion. It goes over the regular face plate. Remember you have a small area to quilt in and the larger the quilt the smaller the area gets as you quilt.

I've had mine for about 6 mos. I have it on a HQ frame. I great to learn on - I hope to get a Longarm someday. I think it's a great machine, I've had not problems of any kind.

this machine is great w/free motion quilting and comes w/the foot. it also has the needle up/down and cutting stitch which I love. very easy machine to use.

[quote=Twilliebee]OOOPS! Sorry! Forgot to put the link in: http://mysite.ncnetwork.net/resquib3/index.html[/don't buy the singer. I have it and it has been in the shop 4 times in 14 months.

We have the Pfaff equivalent (1200 GrandQuilter), we and quilt all of our quilts with it. We have the stitch regulator, the Imperial frame, and the Q-bot (which we don't use). We have had some thread breakage issues, but after numerous trips to the shop and questions to members of this board, we think we have resolved all the issues that led to the breakage.

This machine is a great way to enter into the frame quilting world at a more affordable price. The tradeoff is the relatively small throat space.

The bottom line is, don't let the thread breakage issues keep you from buying this machine. If you can afford this and not a full-size LA, this is a great alternative.

Darren

with the mega quilter viking recommends the aurofil thread and I have had no problems with it breaking on any of my machines.

I have the Mega quilter and like it . it doesfree motiom quilting. basicly it is all I do I'm still getting use to the machine. I have done about ten quilts on it so far. I have Parkinson so everything goes a little slower for me. but i get the job done.

Cindy has one and it's now her main machine for piecing and FMQ. No frame. She loves it, no problems with it and it is a real fine machine.

She hasn't had any problems at all with thread breakage, but she exclusively uses Aurifil thread, and has for many years.

I have the mega quilter and I like it, do not have the frame don't have the room and I really can't afford it. I think I would do better at quilting if I had the frame but what is is. I have done about ten quilts on it so far.

I have the Mega Quilter and frame, I really like it and I have not had any problems with thread breaking. I bought mine at Joann's 2 years ago when they a had sale.

I have the Phaff equivalent. Have it on New Generation frame, but have used it to free motion quilt on a table. Used a top stitch needle with larger eye and no problems with thread breakage. Used King Tut superior thread. I have done up to a extra large twin on it, and am sure larger would be okay also as I had no problem with space just puddling the quilt.

Viking mega quilter
 

I have just purchased a used mega quilter and am having a terrible time with the thread tension... it is set up on a New generation grace frame and has a Quilter's cruise control... I have no idea why the tension does not stay the same across the area being quilted...

Can anyone give me some suggestions....???????????

re sewing machines
 

I have the singer confidence quilter. It was in the shop 4 times in 12 months I would not buy that machine.

I have this machine and that is an awesome price for it. First of all, yes it only does straight stitching but that doesn't mean it can only quilt. I love to piece with it as well. It comes with the free motion foot but you have to get the walking foot separtely. It is a super fast machine but I keep mine as low as it goes because I'm not that fast. It loves Aurofil thread; that is what Viking recommends and I had started using it before I got the machine so that was great. I've used other thread and have had no issues with it. I love the needle up/down and the thread cutter and the needle threader on it. I was offered to trade mine in on my new Ruby but I declined. First of all I would have lost $500 for 1yrs worth of ownership so that wasn't good, but if the machine had ticked me off at all I would have jumped at the chance to get rid of it. Plus it's a great machine and I want one that I can set up to quilt with, one that I know will do the job and even though I know there are larger throat plates out there the 9in are good for me. My Ruby has 9 1/2. I would buy a Viking way before I'd buy a Singer. They aren't what they once was. My daughter has my 26yr old singer and it's going good but they aren't always as reliable as they once were. Not to offend anyone and Iknow some have good luck with them as with all machines; there are good ones and bad ones. I just noticed that yours comes with a walking foot; that makes it even a better deal. It does do FM.

I don't use mine with a frame. I'm getting ready to put it on a small frame that only does crib sizes but it will be a first on a frame. I didn't want to put mine on a frame before I got the Viking Ruby because I loved the way it sews and it was too much of a pain to take it off; now I can put it on one because if I want to do something off of it my Ruby has a large throat as well.

When was the last time it was serviced and did you buy it from a LQS; if so you may be able to get them to check it out. My LQS gave my 6 mos on my used (7hrs used) Ruby You might need to get it serviced to make sure it's nothing major wrong. I've never had a problem with my tension; check to make sure it's threaded correctly; top and bobbin.

I've had mine for more than a yr and no problems with thread breaking or tension. It's a dream machine is all that I can say and you have the option to get one at a really good price. Good luck with your decision.

I have the Viking Mega Quilter (8" throat) and have it set up on a rail system for quilting. I love mine and have no problems. That is a good price! I paid more for mine when it was new. I also have the Q-Bot (computerized) assessory.

I have the Mega quilter. I use it for all of my FMQ. I don't use the frame because it is easier for me. I've had it for 5 yrs. It only gave me problems when I had thread wrapped around the wheel. My fault. I've had it cleaned only once in 5 years.
I didn't know it had a walking foot. I paid more than 799.00

I have the Pfaff branded version of this machine. Mine is set up on a frame for quilting, I don't even know if I have the regular foot for it! I paid $1600 for my machine and frame used. Other than user error, I am very happy with my machine.