No long arm and have done a 120 x 120 on mine. It is a Singer with a 9 inch throat. I rolled mine but did stitch in the ditch.

I have a Singer Rotolock and the throat is 10" x 7". Doing s super king on it. Not rolling the quilt though, using the black clippies from the hardware department, fan folding the quilt. Double wedding ring.

I have a Pfaff with a 7" throat that I've done queen and extra large king quilts on. I just rolled them tight and worked from the center out so I was unrolling as I quilted. I now have a Pfaff with a 10" throat and I'm working on a king quilt that I will quilt with it. I've done several baby and twin quilts that I just puddle and FMQ. Don't forget: practice, practice, practice.

I have it and like it. I did a twin size quilt on it, with a longer overhang, so I did one half at a time then joined the two halves. It turned out well. That's the problem with the Flynn frame, it only accommodates smaller quilts.

But I just bought the longer EMT conduit that they recommend to replace the shorter bars that come with the frame, and plan to try a larger quilt on it (when I get it done!)

What I liked best about the frame is not having to sandwich the quilt--the three-bar system on the frame keeps everything straight and tight!

I FMQ on bed-size quilts all the time by puddling my quilts...AND swing my machine a quarter-turn so that the cords are in back and the faceplate in front. Try it...also check out all the tutes on YouTube

:thumbup:

For QUILTBEAGLE
Your Avatar quilt is to die for! Can you post a larger pic for eye candy? Thanks!

Yes, I own a Gammil Premier, an 18" throat quilting machine, which I love and use for many of the lap and larger quilts. However, before I bought it, I did my quilting on my Bernina. I started out rolling the quilt, but then watched Ricky Tims DVD and started scrunching the quilt in the throat area and it works better for me. I have done queen to king sizes on the DSM. Granted it is much easier on the long arm, but it can be done with your DSM if you are willing to make it work. :-)

rexie

I use an old singer and the feed dogs don't drop, but I use a supreme slider or a piece of vinyl from walmart and put it over the dogs making a hole large enough for the needle and bobbin thread to clear, tape the slippery slider or vinyl down and sew. There is a web site daystyledesigns.com that is so helpful with quilting just check her out.
good Luck

Suzy

My method, exactly. I have a Juki 98 TL and just "puddle" the excess quilt around the machine and only worry about the area under the needle and between my hands being smoooth while I'm quilting it. I tried "rolling" the quilt ONE TIME, and won't do that again-it seemed impossible to handle that way.

There are 2 things that I think make doing large quilts on a small machine possible; basting your quilt sandwich well, and placing a couple of 2' x 4' folding tables around my sewing table to support the excess bulk of the quilt. I have one table off the back of the machine and a second one perpendicular to the first on the right hand side.

I've also sucessfully FMQ'd on my Bernia that has a pretty average size throat space using this method.

FMQing can be done on a regular domestic machine, and it's even enjoyable!

Leah Day has a good video on youtube that demonstrates how to do a large quilt on a small machine here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc2Y1...ayer_embedded# You may find it helpful to watch this...

Wendy

This topic is near and dear to my heart. Because I don't have the funds to take a quilt to someone else to quilt for me, I have been experimenting with ways to FMQ on my little Brother. Now, I love my Brother but the neck area is SO small.

A tip I got recently at a class is when using the darning foot you don't need to drop feed dogs. It works for me. Try it if the other suggestions don't pan out.

Because of my carpal tunnel problem I use Sharon Shamber's quilt halo. It helps so much to control the motion without so much strain on my writst. Amen!
You can do it! Julie

No long arm have sent very large ones out or hand quilt.

Would love to have a quilting machine, but it isn't in the cards. Puddling works for me on my little machine, it is a hassle sometimes; but it works and that's what counts.

I have to say that I tried to roll mine up to quilt and found that bunching it worked a lot better for me, too.

all i have is a kenmore sewing machine and i have quilted king size quilts

What is puddle? Crunch I understand. Also to do a design in a square do you use the walking foot? I have never done anything but straight SID and tried doing a design in a 4" square and it was terrible had to take it out. Used a darning foot with feet dogs down. Can anyone help me?

I don't do my own quilting on the sewing machine, just can't bring myself to go there yet - all that fabric. I just send them out to be done, less headache for me.

I don't. Can't afford it.

The first real quilt I did was for a king-sized bed... (only practiced on one 2-sided pillow before that) Contrary to advice I was given, I made the quilt in 3 sections, and after everything was done except the binding I sewed them together. Looks great, wasn't too hard to handle.

I have a Brother HS2000 with not much of a throat, but I have done quite a few large-sized lap robes and baby quilts and soon will work on my over-sized Queen Log Cabin quilt waiting for attention. I guess I am puddling the quilts also.

I've done king sized on my domestic Bernina, and on an older Viking. Harp size is not as big a deal as having support all around to hold the weight of the quilt. That, and take lots of breaks.

RST

I quilt all sizes on my Berninas - 630, 180 and even my 40 year old 807.

I guess I use a puddle and roll combo!

I also have the luxury of an 8 foot by 4 ft work table, for quilting big I clear off the table and spread the quilt out while I work.

I mark my really big quilts into 8 sections and just 'pretend' the 8th I'm working on is all the quilt! I also sit on a pile of cushions and I dont even look at the machine with out my gloves and three wound bobins.

I do as much as a King Size on my Viking

you can cover the feed dogs. my older singer has a plastic plate that snaps on, others have mentioned you can tape a business card over the feed dogs. Just make sure to punch a hole big enough for the needle.

I've heard that you can cover the feed dogs with an index card, tho, I haven't tried it. Try going to Leah Day's blog or daystyledesigns.com, her website, for excellent, detailed instructions on FMQ on your home machine. Includes videos of "puddling" how to set up your sewing area to support the weight of your quilt, plus many valuable instructions. Viedos are on you-tube, free!

The quilt I am currently working on is a "QAYG" (quilt as you go) I am doing each panel separate then connecting them row by row. Less bulk and makes it easier

I just have a regular sized Pfaff machine. I can quilt a twin-sized quilt on it very easily. So far, I have not made a quilt bigger than that. I think I will send it out if I do. I have tried to find somewhere where they would let me use their long arm but have not found that. I am taking a class on a smaller long arm at the end of the month, so I can do FMQ, and other things that I do not do on my little machine right now.

I don't, I just dream of the day. My sewing machine is free quilt capable and I have been experimenting with that.

I agree puddle. I just finished a extra large king size on my juki and did lots of fancy quilting on it and had no problems. In fact the back was muslin and now can be used for a wholecloth quilt when I want to change looks.

I have an Elna Quilting Queen 7300, the largest I have done is an extra long twin I rolled, but have learned here and elsewhere that puddling is a much better system. The money I have to spend on quilting doesn't include the talents of a longarmer or my secret desire- an HQ sweet 16 that fits in the beautiful extended table my husband built for me so my Quilting Queen reigns in her table alone. There are so many helpful tutorials, books and videos I need to just keep developing my skills.

As above

I have a 9" throat on my Brother and do King sized ones with no frame.

I just saw an ad for a quilt store that just got in a new Bernina that came out that has a 12" throat. That would be a dream. Or if money allows, buy a Handi Quilter Sweet Sixteen Sit Down machine. I tried one and it is what I would have bought if I would not have had room to buy a long arm set up with a frame (which I just bought). The Handi Quilter Sit Down doesn't actually cost that much when compared to some of the sewing machines that are high end $ for the stitch regulator and other bells and whistles. Some of the sewing machnes actually cost more.

I have done queen and double size quilts on my Viking Sapphire. I am getting ready to quilt a king size on it. It may take a little bit of extra handling but I think it will be manageable. I quilt on a office sized desk and open the top drawer to hold a lot of the quilt's weight while FMQ. I find it really helps to have the extra weight draped over something. An ironing board also works great to hold the extra weight. Good luck!

I also purchased a flynn frame. 15 yrs ago. never used it it was with some things i bought at a sale .does anyone know how to use it . would love to now. Dottie Bug

Puddling is rather like fan folding.

I FM quilt even large quilts on a vintage Featherweight. The feed dogs do not drop, and I do not use a cover on them. I set my stitch length to zero, and lighten the pressure on the presser foot; have done a king size on my machine. It's possible; you just have to have patience.

I have a Brother, that could probably handle a king size, that said, I can only do a small one myself due to back problems. I am about to try a QAYG. Wish me luck.

I have a Singer Confidence Q and make kings size all the time. It was a little difficult at first, but now I love it and have no problems.

I have quilted several queen quilts and one king quilt on my Viking. It doesn't have a large harp, I just fight with the quilt til I get it like I want it. Basically, I puddle it.

I watch a tutorial once on this. She actually cut binking in half in a zig zag fashion. Quilted half the quilt, Then sewed the batting back turned quilt and quilted other side. I do not machine quilt, She did make it look easy and I may one day get enough nerve to try it. Good luck on your quilt. :)

i believe the john flynn frame is demoed on youtube.... and has anyone found the fabulous video (youtube as well)... for showing how to make your own quilting table.... very easy using some sort of "insulation board" from a home supply store.... i considered it before i decided to buy my grace frame and 1600P to ride on it... only a 10" throat, but it sure beats my frustration trying it any other way... Honestly i can't recommend it enough.. for people who just like to piece and create like me.. it's super... try "saving some money" if you can,,, passing up that next fabric purchse,, and putting it aside... i got the frame and machine together, but could have bought just a frame for a lot less money... check out grace frames,, and there are other wooden ones, that you can just put your own machine on... it's so much fun.. (not off to win any prizes, just enjoy quilting my own quilts and fabric)...
wanted to share that... ask any questions if you want... barbara