I so most of my sewing on a Bernina 440 and I am happy with that machine. However I have been trying to do my own machine quilting as I can no longer afford to send it out to a commercial Long Armer and I have no room to put a large machine. I need a straight stitch, free motion machine with a harp area larger than 7 inches which is what I have now. What I am finding newer machines is that you would have to pay about a $1000 for a new machine with about a 9" harp but I don't need all the extra features as I have that now. I checked out the Baileys home quilt machine but it only does free motion. I have been looking at the Singer 201 (on e-bay) and it does seem to be in my price range but I cannot find what the size of the harp is. In giving dimensions sellers often do not include this measurement. Can someone tell me what the harp size is and/or recommend another machine for quilting.

not sure what you mean that the Bailey can only do free motion
what do you want to do? zig zag or fancy stitches?
I have a Bailey's and love it

I have a Juki TL98Q that is a real workhorse. It does only a straight stitch which is all I want for quilting. From the head of the machine to the needle is 9 inches.

The harp on a 201 is about 7x9 inches...going from my memory as I don't have time to open the cabinet and check for sure....LOVE it for FMQ!! :)

I was in contact with the company and that is what I was told. It had the space I needed, it was free standing so I could sew at the kitchen table and while a bit over budget I could swing it. They told me it only did free motion and that is why I did not buy it. I don't need embroidery, I only need straight stitch for stitch in the ditch and free motion for meandering. If you have a model that does that what is it so I can again check with Baileys.

I just asked the same Q as I have 6 1/2" harp. the old singers have about 7.
I got lot of good suggestions in this post
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-138639-1.htm

And I looked at the Janome 1600. But I want one used!!!

the bailey only has straight stitch, there are no feed dogs, if you do not have it on a frame you would move the fabric just like on a domestic machine, the stitch regulator works off the frame so you would not be able to use it if you're sewing on a table

On the 201, have you done a queen size either FMQ or SID and if so how did it go for you. I have some experience as I have done up to single size on my 440 and does that extra two inches make any real difference? I have six full to king size tops basted and waiting to go but my whole body is dreading the shove and sew....shove and sew ordeal

I was looking at the Bailey's free standing, no room at all for a frame. I was in communication with them on all the specifications I would need and the fact that it is basically free motion only was a deal breaker for me. How do you do stitch in the ditch with out feed-dogs? I am not that good at FMQ that I could just wing a very straight stitch without feed dogs. In addition it would be nice if I had a machine I could hook up a walking foot for SID.

This means there are no feed dogs on the machine. It does only do a straight stitch but 100% relies on YOU to move the fabric, IOW only FMQ. But there is no reason you can't use your Bernina to do the straight line quilting with the feed dogs and use the Baily for everything else.

Here is a link to a discussion we had about this same thing the other day
http://www.quiltedparadise.com/qb_demo.jsp

I have the Janome 1600P & I love it- single stitch & does FMQ. I was in the same boat as you- had a machine that I loved w/all of the fancy stitches & really just wanted something with a bigger throat space for quilting.

I have an HQ sweet 16 Sit down. It is set in a table 30in x 36in so it's level with the table. There is 16in between needle and pillar, and I think it't 9in from table to underside of machine. Yes, it only stitches straight stitches and no feed dogs. When I want to stitch in the ditch, I have a small ruler that is a quarter inch thick (can't use regular quilting rulers as the thin ones aren't safe against the foot). I line up the ruler so that my needle will go along the ditch, and move ruler and quilt through, under the needle together. Voila, straight seams!

Thanks for the input. It's definitely something to consider.

Ive been checking in on a set up that is the same as a long arm but smaller. You can get one for around $1500 but you can only do up to a lap size.
They use only the straight stitch Juki, Elna, Brother,Janomi 6600,and the Viking mega quilter if you want a stitch regulator.The table is a Gracie and you can get extensions for up to king size. Tables are around $600.

It is just like a long arm since you move the machine.

My 201 Singer has just as much room or even slightly more than my Janome 6500. The Janome tapers off while the 201 has a more rectangular harp. I just finished FM quilting my first full size quilt on the 201 and I had no trouble stuffing it through. The machine is more powerful than my Janome 6500 and does not balk, growl or jam or veer off seam intersections. Its largest stitch is longer than the one on my Janome 6500 and the feed dogs drop easily. Overall it is a more powerful machine and I had no trouble buying a walking foot and FM/darning foot for it.

brother PQ1500s has 9 inches and is 500 dollars online

The largest I've done is a full size, and had no issues, wouldn't hesitate to try a queen.

I have a BLQC it is 9 inch arm space. The machine is great to piece and quilt on. I just replaced it with a Bailey for quilting on a frame. I would like to sell it if you could email me I could tell you more about the machine and send you pictures.
[email protected]

The Jenome 1600P has a nine in harp and you can use a walking foot with it. It is a straight stitch only machine . I used mine for 3 yrs on a home made quilting fram but you don't have to put it in a frame. I just sold it because I bought a TinLizzie sit down. I quilt better moving the quilt thn I do moving the machine.

You need to spend at least $1000 to get a decent mechanism in the machine. Buy a second hand machine.

A LQS, a Husqvarna dealer offered a long/mid setup that is targeted to the noncommercial quilter. Machine and frame approx. $3500. Maybe there is a gently used one out there somewhere.

I love my Brother 1500 S. It and the Juki 98 are almost identical. The harp is 9" but it is very high making it appear much larger. I paid $600 new for my Brother. I looked at Jukis also but they are a little higher. It is a straight stitch but does free motion nicely and comes with all the necessary acc. I bought mine through Amazon. Pauline

Have a look at the Brother Nouvelle 1500S. It is a straight stitcher and not computerised. It sews very nicely and has a 9" harp. I own one and am very happy with it.

Thanks every one for your good advise. I went to All brands and bought this
Brother PQ1500S Threads & Needles 9"Arm 7mmStitch Sew Quilt Machine, NeedleUpDown, Threader Trim KneeLift PinFeed WalkFoot 8Feet ExtTable12x18"
I felt it would pay for it's self in that I was spending about the same amount for postage and quilting from a long-armer in a year. It gives me an extra two inches up and down in the harp and that might just be enough. I love piecing on my Bernina, and I have the stitch regulator for FMQ on smaller projects. The Bailey was a contender but I just wanted feed dogs to do straight line quilting. So now I need to just baste the seven queen size quilts sitting in a pile to get going with the new addition to my sewing room.

I would either call the companythat makes the sewing machine or go to a shop that sells the brand you are looking for and they can tell the harp size.
IdahoSandy

I think you made a good choice in the Brother. I don't own one but I have friends that do and they all love their's. Have fun quilting.

The Juki and the Pfaff Hobby 1200 are both great machines with the 9 inch harp. Both only do straight stitch so you can stitch in the ditch or free motion quilt. I bought my Pfaff locally second hand and have seen others listed on Craig's List for around $500. Often after using one of these machines for a while, the quilter wants to upgrade for a larger machine and you can get a good deal. Good luck with you search.

PS: Nevermind ... I see you bought one. Have fun with it!!!

I've had a Brother PQ 1500 for about 10 yrs & love it!

I wouldn't agree with that...there are many vintage machines that are far more sturdy than the modern machines made with plastic/nylon gears, etc., and they do a great job FMQ and straight stitching. And they sure are not anywhere near $1,000!

I have had a couple of Brother machines and liked them just fine...both less than $199. My first queen sized quilt I did SID on a very very basic Brother. It was the Shove, Sew..shove, sew that you described, but I got it done!! :-) I know lots better now!! LOL

I bought a Fab-U-Motion on ebay and I don't have a husqvarna sewing machine for it yet, can I use it on my brother 8500 pacesetter or elna quilters dream. I am afraid to try .anyone know. thank you for any information.