Has anyone gone from a Longarm to a Sit-down Quilting Machine?
 

Has anyone traded in their longarm for a sit-down quilting machine?

In the interest of down-sizing, I'm considering going to a sit-down machine, so I was hoping to hear from anyone that has made the trade, and are you happy you changed, or do you wish you had kept your longarm?

Also wondering about the learning curve going from one to the other.

Thanks!

I had a mid arm for a couple of years and the difference between the two is the sit down you have to move the quilt as you do in a domestic machine.

I have a SS sitdown & am thinking about upgrading to a longarm! LOL We can change our minds often!

I love the long arm method of quilting. Just think of drawing - do you move the pencil or the paper? You always move the pencil. Well, long arm quilting is like that - you draw with the needle onto your fabric. Much easier for me to do than trying to struggle with the quilt moving it under the needle - no matter what kind of 'sit down' machine it would be.

I love my longarm, I would hate to have to downsize.

I don't have either one but I have used both. I like the sit down better because I do not like loading the quilt on the frame. I would have quilt tops piled up waiting for me to load them on the machine, I would dread that part and put it off. Now that I use Elmer's to baste I don't mind basting at all for a sit down machine. I am very happy with my Brother 1500 on two tables in the L configuration set up. I am interested in testing the new Gammill Allure sit down system.

I would NOT do it unless it is physically necessary. One of the things I like best about a LA is the fact you no longer have to baste a quilt.

I can pin baste a queen size quilt on the HQ 16 leaders in about 20 mins. We live in a very small house and have it at one end of the living room.

Sorry don't have either one, just my DSM, which gives me headaches which bunching up the fabric. I have a large HQ frame. I wish for one, cause I know it would be easier. I then say, in the South we don't utilize quilts long enough cause of our short winters ( okay this one was a b==ch). With that said, I would love to be able to go somewhere to just try it out. But even at the price, if I make 100 quilts and send to a LA at about 150 a pop (guesstimating). Then that would be the same as a purchased one. So since I know I'll never get my monies worth. I'll stick to my DM.

I've thought about it a couple of times,(running out of room), but then remembered why I got my long arm. I was never able to get the hang of FM.

I know some one that bought a sitdown one for the smaller quilts that she does. She says she will use them both. its not completely unheard of. I think she said she did to many quilts again and had to balance it out for tax purposes by buying another machine...

Funny! Just means she made plenty of money and wanted another deduction!:)

My mom did that with a grand piano, Yamaha. She was a piano teacher and instead of having the profits push her into another tax category, she bought the piano.

I did. I had a Bailey on a frame and really didn't enjoy the process of quilting that way. It just didn't suit my quilting style. I prefer sitting, moving my fabric instead of moving the machine.
I bought a Lizzie and have said I loved it but I'm thinking of selling her and buying the George instead for a variety of reasons... yeah it's almost twice as expensive but I think I deserve it. Hubby says it is too much for someone who only quilts for themselves but you only live once. I think I'm going to sell my Lizzie and go for the George.

I was in the minority by the way. I think most people get the HQ16 but I didn't like that one for a variety of reasons - the orientation of the machine was my biggest issue.. and that you have to pay for the table overlay to fix their table to machine height calculations. I think that's an insult to have to pay for that - and their very expensive table extensions... there are a few more reasons but I won't go there.

I think if you enjoy sitting while you're quilting and are used to doing that let me tell you what the difference between quilting on a sit down quilt machine vs a regular or even 9" throated machine is HUGE. I cringe at the thought of quilting on anything other than a sit down machine now. It is soooo much easier and nicer to quilt with all that space.

On the Yahoo group for Handiquilter Sweet 16 sitdown, there is a quilter who has both. He does quilting for others on the long arm, and he does incredible thread painting on the Sweet 16. It might be interesting to go there and "talk" to him.

Pam

Update - I'm keeping the Lizzie more or less. Long story short, the new one is on its way to me and looks awesome. I have to say one thing though about the sit down - as long as you enjoy sitting and quilting by moving your quilt around then you'll be happy with quilting on a sit down. If you really really love the loading the frame and moving the machine then you will not be so happy with a sit down machine.


I had gotten the quilt frame so I didn't have to baste quilts - only to find out that I hated loading quilts on to the frame. I now table baste with spray baste and scattered pins around the edges. It doesn't take me long to do it now and I haven't had puckers so I'm a happy camper.

What it boils down to is personal preference on this one - I prefer to sit and move my fabric. Others prefer to stand/stool sit and move the machine. ;)