I am glad you asked this question. I was concerned whether I would be able to with my machine also. I don't have lots of money to buy an expensive contraption, and I sure don't have the money to pay others to quilt it for me. That would probably put a halt to my quilting career.... :D I bought a walking foot and am waiting for it in the mail now so I feel more confident trying it on my machine after reading how many people use their machines to do it all. Thanks for beating me to the question :)

I am also glad this question was asked. I cant afford one of them expensive longarm machines. And want to do my own quilting. This gives me some hope that I can do it :mrgreen: .

GiGi--may I ask what your machine goes for? I searched on a site before and there are never prices listed--which means it's too much--but I wanted to have a figure in my head when I calculate the cost of the quilting....in case I need more facts for a persuasive argument someday. :D

BarnBum: I purchased my Janome Memory Craft 6600 first at appx. $1800.00 and then I purchased my Janome five (5) overlock Janome Serger for appx. $1200.00. HOWEVER, my dealer offers six (6) months same as cash. Therefore, I bought each one separately and paid them off within the six months, no interest that way.

I would not trade either machine for another brand. I tried several BEFORE I purchased Janome. The 6600 does everything including fancy stitches and names etc. My serger overlocks, rolls hems and many more options. I don't need anything else to make whatever I want. Both will quilt, make clothes, aprons, wallhangings, etc. I have not had any problems with either. The thing I had to get used to is you use plastic bobbins, NOT metal! It does not feed the bobbin well with metal because it has a magnet in the cylinder for it's mechanism.

I don't regret either purchase. BOTH machines will last me a lifetime. The 6600 has a very long arm for quilting, no worries there. It comes with MANY different feet with three (3) different modes for different stitches. As you can see, it is a joy to sew with both. Hope this has helped. Besides, your worth it!!!!!! We, as women, don't think we deserve the best. HOWEVER, we do. We do so much for everyone else, we don't take time for ourselves.

I related the expense to my husband the same as his tractor. His tractor wasn't inexpensive and he uses it appx. 7 - 8 months a year. My sewing machine was less expensive and I use it 12 months a year. It's all in the presentation.

GO FOR IT, YOU DESERVE IT!!!!!!!!

If you need anymore information, please do not hesitate to ask. GiGi

Hi, new to the forum but not quilting. I'm a Pfaff person, I have a 2056. I have quilted queen size, using the free motion foot. Those of you that can send one out for $100 are very lucky a queen here is close to $200 and that is for meandering. marie

GiGi--well, maybe someday. Husband has been out of work for 6 months and we have 2 kids in college... which we can handle fine, but no way can I add in the purchase of a sewing machine. The cost of the horses is enough!!

However, I can research and be ready when the time comes. :wink: It shouldn't be too long. I bet hubby gets hired this month of this new year. :-)

I use a Bernina 1080. I made two sofa size quilts on it this past year. When I go to the quilt show in Virginia, I am going to get John Flynn's frame. It works with regular sewing machines. I have seen it demonstrated for years at the quilt show and decide that this year, one will come home with me. I am hoping that this will make it easier to do big quilts. My son and DIL have a king size bed and I still may have to do it in sections but it should be easier and quicker than all hand stitching.

I have two Berninas, one 830 and one 155. I love them both and have them for different things. Sadly, the 830 sits a lot more than the 155, but it still gets used.

I have quilted on both of them up to a king sized quilt. (Only did one and never want to do another) I just finished quilting a smaller wall quilt, it was very dense quilting and the machine handled it beautifully. I even quilted with the 830 before we had the quilting foot. I just dropped the feed dogs, removed the presser foot and lowered the presser foot thingy even though it wasn't there, to engage the tension.

Clear as mud, I'm sure, but the point is, it's very doable. Start small and work your way up.

M

I have a Flynn and it is not so good. It comes with baby size poles and that is about all you can do with it. If you buy longer pvc pipe it will take up more room than a regular quilting machine because you feed the thing thru your machine. Can you imagine a king size all on one side of your machine? And you are balancing the whole thing with your hands. You also have to have a table that is long enough to put the pvc that rolls the frame on, which keeps falling off the table. Its not worth it and when I get the funds will invest in a Gracie frame.

I have a Singer 626 Touch and Sew, purchased in 1967 as a wedding present. I was told the parts are all metal and will not likely ever wear out. This is great since I use an even-feed presser foot and quilt by machine. It works fine.