Grace mini quilter - opinions?
 

I just don't have the space or budget for a full long arm. I saw that Grace released the mini quilter in December for $300. I know it does zone quilting but the area seems pretty small. Which means a lot of repositioning if doing a full sized quilt. But I do hate having to either roll the quilt under my machine, or do a quilt as you go style. Any opinions? Is the repositioning a real pain?

Are you planning to use your dsm or a long/mid arm machine. If a dsm you need to imagine the design depth will be narrow, and there will be a lot of bulk build up in the throat as you advance the quilt, so that design will be smaller. I wouldn't touch these small frames myself unless I only made cot or lap quilts, too much fudging for me.

And if you're only making cot or lap quilts, you probably don't need a frame anyway. I would like to see someone demonstrate by completely quilting a big quilt on it before I would consider it. And that demonstration would have to include how to prepare the quilt before it's placed on the frame.

The ones I've seen show basting of the quilt sandwich just as one does for using a domestic.

So the dsm sits on a tray that you steer similar to a long arm. They do require a machine with greater than 8.5" throat space.
I guess the big question is why long arm if my machine (Babylok Quilters Pro) does a decent job with fmq? I think my big issue is that I can only fmq about 6" x 6" before having to reposition - it would be nice to work on a larger area.
Definitely would need a show and tell before purchase!

Btw. Hi Dunster! Good to see you again!

I have been using the Cutie frame & new Cutie Breeze for almost 4 years and have a Juki TL2010 as dedicated machine. My quilting area is appoximately 33" by 6". I chose the Cutie because I need to be able to move a few times a year. You will get used to repositioning your quilt and it only takes me 2 minutes or less to set up for next quilting area. And storing the frame & machine when not in use takes up very little space. Mine is behind a chair in DH's office room in space about 3 1/2 ft x 2 ft. The best thing for me is that my shoulders don't hurt from pushing quilt under my machine. The largest quilt I have done so far was a full size but I do have a couple of king/queen size in the ready to go pile. I have used FMQ, rulers, stencils and pantographs and some thread painting on some panels. I would suggest if you are considering a mini frame or the larger Cutie you try one at a quilt store or show if possible and view YouTube videos on using the frames. Grace has some great ones and Bonnie Kempke's Quilting on a Thread and Leah Day.

My first quilt frame was the Grace Pro Frame that at 10ft. Well built for the money. Only issues I found with it was the poles tended to bend in time with the weight of the quilt so I replaced them or should say I covered them with conduit poles as I needed to use the end pieces to connect to the frame. Worked liked a charm for me but with a shorter frame you shouldn't have any issues like that.