Does anyone have one? What is your opinion on them?
I'm thinking of getting one but wondering if it is hard to learn how to use.

I have a Lil Gracie frame for machine quilting. It is well made. My husband researched the different frames and felt this was the best. He surprised me two christmas' ago with it. He was impressed when it arrived as he put it together.

Are you talking about hand or machine quilting frames? They make both.

I'm talking about the ones that you use your regular machine with.
http://www.amazon.com/Grace-Quilting.../dp/B001IJPMGO

Does it work well? Do you like it? Is it hard to learn how to use?

I have a Little Gracie II, which I use with a 15" Bailey. Although they say that you can use your regular sewing machine with the frame, I would really advise against it. Your average sewing machine has a 7" throat -- when you first start quilting a quilt, it may seem like a decent amount of space, but as the quilt gets rolled up within the throat, you start to get less and less space -- you'll eventually only end up with a couple of inches of quilting space as you get towards the end of the quilt. Personally, I found even a 9" throat to be fairly restrictive -- to really get the most out of your quilting frame, you'll want to be using a 13" or bigger.

Now, having said that, there are some people that manage to make this system work with their regular sewing machine -- I'm not at all saying it's not possible. But functionality wise, you will be very limited in what you are able to accomplish on the frame with a smaller throat.

To answer your other questions, I personally found it relatively easy to pick up how to use the frame/machine combo. My machine has a stitch regulator, which makes the stitches stay a uniform length regardless of how fast or slow I go (within reason). There's a much longer learning curve to this process without a stitch regulator, but again, a lot of people manage without one. I didn't start quilting until just this past summer, and I manage to figure out how to use pantographs and quilt something fairly decent looking in very short order.

This is good to know. Thank you for the advice.

I have one I use with a JUKI no stitch reg. Works well. I traded my handi quilter for the grace. Like the uninterupted rails..no bumps at all :) Havent had the guts to put all the pantogram parts together yet..some day I shall get in the mood.

lyn

Is that machine a long arm? How many inches?

Do you start in the center and work toward the end? then turn it around and start in the center again?

The Juki is not a long arm. It does have a 9" harp I believe. (havent measured lately :D ) I started at the top but for a queen or king starting in the middle would be great. Must admit at the end didnt have but a couple inches to quilt at a time :)
If I was to get a new machine Id check into the HQ16 I think is the name. or something similar. For me at this time the Juki is great and is a work horse.

lyn