home longarm quilting machine
 

I am considering getting a longarm quilting machine. I am not in the $10000.00 price range, does anyone have any suggestions?do or do NOT get such and such machine? thank you.

Visit local dealers and see what they have, test drive them & check out the available options. Many are well under 10,000. There is a wide variety of sizes, features, prices and set ups. The best thing to do is visit shows, shops, and machine dealers and research as many as you can find, see what features you want, or what you don't want. How much space you have, if you want a stand up machine or a sit down system... It is not something to jump into without at least trying out all couple, it would be unfortunate to put out that large an investment only to find it is too hard on your back/shoulders or you cannot stand that long, or you get a sit down & hate the process of moving the framed quilt around.... There are many options- do lots of homework/research and make a choice that works for you. After you figure out what you like you could look for a used one- the good thing about new though is free owners classes and tech support

Bailey's Home Quilter is very reasonably priced. He has frame and table models. Chuck's a peach to work with.
http://www.baileyssewingcenter.com/

I just bought the BlockRockiT--it is a 14+ throat machine and comes with a stitch regulator, needle up/down, etc. You can check it out and www.blockrockit.com It is very reasonably priced and sews like a dream! They have great packages with a frame. I had a frame so I bought just the machine and extra bobbins and needles.

The Homesteader looks like a great machine. They have a 24" also. That is the one I'm leaning toward.

I use my Janome 8200 with 11 inch throat and that works great for most of my quilting. I have considered the Bailey because it seems I could do just about everything. Maybe you could research tat type of machine.

I have the Handiquilter Avante 18" and I love it. I purchased mine as a floor model - it had very little hours on it (there is an hour meter) and I got a great deal - mine came with a studio table that you can set up at 4", 8" or 12" - It has stitch regulator and needle up and down. Also has many different speeds and stitch lengths - if you buy the computer add another $ 8000. or so - I don't have that feature - mine is all hand guided. It does take practice but the more you use it the easier it will get. Have fun and good luck.

I just cruised their website and their price point is definitely enticing. Any idea if they show at any large quilt shows? I did not see an email option for questions.

I have been checking into them also. There is a yahoo group that has started up from people that have bought the block rockit. They are very good at answering your questions. I am thinking of ordering one when I get back from my trip. [email protected]

I've testdriven the homesteader and like the machine. I currently own a HandiQuilter Sweet Sixteen (sit down - takes up much less space than a long-arm) and am very happy with it.

Cheers, K

As others say, try & test drive before buying. I currently have a Handi Quilter Avante, which has an 18" throat space but only sews 15. I have had it for a few years & have outgrown it, looking to up grade to larger machine. I'm planning on buying a APQS soon as I sell my Avante, so my advice is as always, if your planning for long time use, is to purchase a machine that is a bit larger than you think you will need, because 3-4 years down the road you'll be wishing you had, (ask me how I know!)

Like others, I suggest you spend some "shopping" time on this decision. If you can go to a large show that has many vendors, do so and spend the day trying out all the different types of set-ups. Ask about their service, warranties, sale of used models, trade-ins, classes or training, etc. I did all that, rented time on a long arm to see if I really wanted to sew that way (sure did!), talked with everyone I knew with one and asked what they liked, would get different if they were buying another one, and then an extensive google search that asked about long arm purchases--but only went to those sites that were not actually selling long arms. I ended up buying a used Gammill from a professional quilters widower--love, love,love it--but the learning curve was fairly steep at first, and while I got a great deal, I don't think I would have bought as large of machine (14' table/ 28" throat)--although I do occasionally quilt for others. I had been doing SID and FMQ on my domestic machine before the long arm

Have you checked with the mfgr of L /A? Most have used and or lower cost machines.....

Does anyone have the innova? I tried one out at the State Fair last year and was very impressed, but they aren't cheap. I probably would have to go for an used one when I get to that point, but was wondering if anyone out there had one.