I found a different mid arm quilting system while surfing
 

http://joparrottquilter.com/system.htm


Never seen this before, don't know anything about it. Theres not to much information on this website, but its reasonable I thought.

looks quit interesting and affordable

It's a stretched vintage Singer. I wouldn't pay that much for a stretched Singer....but that's just me.

Looks like another person is getting into the 'stretch' machine business. Don't know the service reputation or if the customer service is any good. If I was in the market for a new Singer that has been stretched I'd go with Quilting Solutions. Their reputation and customer service is the best!

I have some concerns on this.

1) their website is very unprofessional
2) No mention of brand on the sewing machine

Most longarmers look for certain things that aren't mentioned here.
1) what's the highest stitches per inch does the machine do
2) speed control??? What does that "torque" stuff mean?
3) stitch regulator????
4) training???

That's just a few thoughts that ran through my mind.....

I agree with Dee. I wouldn't even consider it if I couldn't try it out.

I say, good for these people to go ahead and do something on their own. Yes, it is a stretched Singer. What's wrong with that? This is how home quilting systems are born. Someone takes an idea and runs with it. It may not have
all the bells and whistles, but for that price, do you know how many quilts that you could get done it? My dear husband is a machinist by trade and he stretched a Singer for me. It works great! If he hadn't built it for me, I wouldn't have a mid arm machine.
I don't mean to sound like a hag, but this system looks like it would work out really well. For someone just starting out with a frame, this would be a dream. Why not give them a chance?! Is't that what this country is founded on?
Sorry if I sound like I'm on a soapbox.
Merry Christmas to all.:)

I believe you took our responses too much to heart!!! I was giving her ideas to look for. Yes, a stitch regulator does not HAVE to be on a machine, but if she's expecting one, she should realize it's not there. As for buying from someone online, without knowledge of what you're buying --- well, in this day and age, you can't be too careless!!! It may very well work out well for her. Heck, the big $30,000 Gammill doesn't work for me!!! However, I stand by what I said. I'd ask more questions --- and believe me, training is a BIG part of learning to longarm quilt.

Looks like it would work OK. If I had a place for one I might give it a try. If I could afford it someday.

You the owner of the site? LOL!

If I lived in the area I'd at least look at it.

Icalled and talked to this couple. Sounds like a very nice pair! I don't quilt for hire, well only for a few select friends, I just enjoy doing my own thing. Anyway, he is going to get back with me on just the machine. I have a frame already, would just like a longer throat to put on it. I look forward to him getting back with me, as they are leaving for the holidays to spend it with ggks and gks. I, personally am very interested and all the bells and whistles aren't that important to me, since I'm still learning. Thanks for posting this!

I think it looks cool. I love the look of the old Singers. I have a Voyager 17 which I love but I wish it looked more like an antique.

Hurray...I applaud you...you beat me to it...but sure this is NO Gammill....but how do you think they got started??? Whom ever took the time to perfect this little system did so to make something THEY could easily afford and learn to use....I think it is awesome!

I've never hear of a "stretched machine". How's that done?

No kidding. Can't help but admit same thought ran through my mind. A drop in bobbin.....yea that must be a treat to change when you have a king size quilt on the frame. Good luck to these people, but I wouldn't touch it with my long arm pole. Or another mid arm pole for that matter.

It is where one takes a regular machine remove the housing, cut the rods and attache more rod to the middle thus in essence stretching the neck of the machine. Then putting housing back on. Some of these stretch machines have metal plates attatched to the middle to cover the stretch.


Things to ponder. Is it the origional motor? Can it handle the increase of the stretch? Keeping in mind it was designed to work with a shorter neck. Also the neck may be longer....but it isn't higher. When you roll your quilt it rolls in a circle not an oval, therefore you now can have drag. Not a good thing.

Hope this helped.

Do you know if there is a TUTE somewhere that shows how to do this? I tried googling it, and just found where you can ship off a machine you own, but not how to do it yourself.

Would your hubby want to write a TUTE for the QB?

Please share a pic of the machine your hubby stretched! Thanks.

I already own a machine and frame, I was just posting for others.

I would be a little weary. Need more research.

It's interesting and it's certainly affordable with machine, frame and bobbin winder all inclusive in the price.

Here's what bothers me about it:
No way would I buy this simply because of the drop in bobbin. Way to much hassel to try to change a bobbin and believe me there are a lot of bobbin changes in one quilt!! Wonder what size bobbin it uses anyway?
Velcro strips for holding the poles in place, though I haven't tried it I just feel iffy about it. Are they replaceable when they get all clogged up with thread and batting fluff?
I didn't understand how to adjust the height of the take up roller, maybe a video would be better than a picture?
No stitch regulator and I don't get the torque thing really but would like to see how it works. Again, maybe a video would be better than a picture? It's tough learning with a stitch regulator I can't imagine learning without one.
I don't see any kind of clamps or anything to hold down a paper pantograph but maybe a sheet of weighty clear vinyl laid over the paper would do the trick??
It doesn't say what the track and wheels are made of and that is crucial IMHO. Metal wheels? Plastic track?
Is there any way to add a Q-bot or PC Quilter to this machine if desired?
The light looks nice and bright but they don't have replacements for it and you have to go find your own.
The frame could probably not be shipped. It doesn't appear that it could be taken down and stored either, or moved to a new location unless you had a large U-Haul or something.

What I like:
The thread holder placement on top of the machine.
I'm really interested in the end clamps and will call to see if they will sell them separately.
I like the simple table set up but I think it needs a more polished look since a lot of us have ours in the LR or DR of our homes. Wonder if it comes painted or if it's unfinished? It would be nice also if you could custom order the height of the legs to get the correct height table for your self.

I can see changes that will be needed in the future but I think this looks overall like a pretty good set up. As it is, I think the machine is better suited to be used as a sit down model because of the drop in bobbin situation. I would love to get a closer look at it! AND take it for a drive!

I agree that this price is great and from the website, it looks like the developer is a very experienced quilter. I applaud her for trying to provide a reasonably priced setup, but.....

I don't like buying something that is so new. Usually this type of equipment goes through some improvements in its first few years. Perhaps if there was more info from users and more info on the history of the machine. It sounds really new.

Also I would be concerned about the velcro on the rail. I wonder if it really holds well. Also how sturdy is the frame. When I bought mine, I went to a quilt show and tested every machine and frame. I literally walked up and grabbed hold of the frame and tried to shake it!

On the other hand, the price is good and it could be a learning machine and frame. The cost of the Gamills, Noltings, etc. are not for a beginner. If you want to really quilt alot on it and it looks like you will continue for years, you could upgrade later. I have read posts of quilters who have more than one machine and frame setup who have graduated from one to the other.

You know what I liked about this site. It is an alternative to the high priced long arm and even though it isn't as professional as some sites, it is a start. before I got on this board, I had never heard of stretching machines. I currently have a juki 2010 and mini pini frame and I love it. Would love to have more "stretch" but I am satisfied with what I have spent and I use. Anyone who thinks of new ways to help quilters is "A-OK" in my book.

It looks good to me

This looks like it would work well for the price. If I was closer I would definitely give it a test drive. I do have a couple of concerns though of the drop in bobbin, although if the frame is big enough for you to have a king sized quilt on there and be able to move the machine to a cleared space, it shouldn't be that big of a deal. The other concern is the brand of the machine, it does look like a Singer and while I don't have anything against old ones, I wouldn't buy a new one and if this is a Singer, it must be a newer one, since it has the drop in bobbins.

I put velcro on my metal rails 3 years ago and it holds perfectly. No problems, staying on tight.

O.K. this is a rant about ebay or at least one policy ebay has. I'm kind of p*ssed. I bid on a listing for a vintage, Singer card table for my 401. It only had 1 day left and I was the lead bidder. I was really looking forward to having this table. I was notified that the auction was pulled by the seller as the "item is no longer available". Which is code for he sold it locally I assume. This makes me really mad. There should be some negative consequences to the seller for doing this. Some kind of ding to his feedback or at least the ability for me to give some sort or response or feedback about it! Nope...so he can have me hanging on for 3 or 4 days, and my bid is permanent, but he can go and yank the auction if he gets a local buyer. This doesn't seem right to me and I think it stinks:<

Is it just me to think all LA systems are really ugly pieces of equipment? It's like an ironing board, you have to have one but it sure is an eyesore to see set up in a room. I like pretty and that is one factor that will influence me when deciding which item to buy over the other when possible.

I looked at it. Not sure about the workings but looks good for the price. She lives in the same area as my parents. They have the same phone prefix.

Hello everyone. I know Jo and Henry Parrott very well. I bought the first one he made. I believe it is a Singer 201, not sure. They have come a long way from the first one and I have had mine updated. I can vouch for this machine. It works very well. I've had mine for 3 years. Jo Parrott has written several books (look her up on Amazon) and is a teacher. I have had the fortune to live close enough to take lots of her classes. She has made me a better quilter.

Henry built one for Jo at her request because she had so many quilt tops from her classes. He built her one then people, like me, got interested in them and that's the way the business started. These are very nice people and I assure you that if you have problems they will take care of you. They stand by their work and are not fly by night people. If you have any questions call them. They will answer any of them I'm sure. I am lucky to have them as friends. And no, they do not know I am writing this. Regards

The other concern is the brand of the machine, it does look like a Singer and while I don't have anything against old ones, I wouldn't buy a new one and if this is a Singer, it must be a newer one, since it has the drop in bobbins. posted earlier

Sorry, but age of the Singer cannot be determined by the drop in bobbin. There were treadles made with drop in bobbins, the "Treadle Lady" has tutes with one. It is from the early 1900's.

Looks very interesting. Too bad I can't take the leap and buy it. I'd be quilting up a storm nd finishing those tops that are waiting to be quilted.

Well, it looks reasonable. I won't ever have one--no room at all, but one can't beat good old American ingenuity. I think it's great that someone is trying to make a very reasonably priced LA machine!

If I lived within 50 miles of them, I would go check it out.

Dina

oops I posted my rant on this thread and should have been in the vintage area :>

I don't see a problem with a stretched singer machine. I know it's not a fast thing to do...so the cost is fair. With a year's warranty on the machine head...for a home quilter, it would probably be just fine.

I really like the looks of this set up. It looks alot like the homesteader which is also an vintage singer. If I would have lived close enough to try one of the homesteaders out I would have purchased one. You rarely see any for sale used. Not everone can afford the bigger longarms and are just as proud of whichever machine they can buy as the ones who have the longarms with every bell and whistle. I know for a fact that when I purchased my Juki 98q and my handiquilter ii frame I was in hog heaven as I could be a real quilter and finish all the quilts that I made. I say go for whatever works for you and you will love it.

LOL they ARE ugly! If they went for beauty, they'd double the prices!!!!

Good that there is someone to vouch for them....that would mean a lot to me if I were buying. Can you explain --- does the drop-in bobbin cause any problems? Is it large enough for a king top?