I want to quilt my own
 

Since I like to quilt so much but really can't afford to have all my tops quilted( I have several done) do any of you own a small quilting machine to do your own? How expensive are they? How easy to operate?

You can quilt large quilts on your home machine quite easily. There is a learning curve and you may not be happy with your first few quilts, but practice does improve results. Check out Leah Day on YouTube...she does beautiful free motion quilting on her home machine.

I'm just learning to free motion quilt, but already I can see the improvement in my style after completing two quilts. It just takes time, but saves a LOT of money.

Mine is a Gammill, which is kinda pricey but I think there's several out there that are more reasonable like the Bailey and some of the others made by other companies. Google longarm quilting machines and you should come up with a lot of info. And there's also the option of going with a used system...lots of bang for the (not so much) buck. Good luck!

I just use my regular Brothers sewing machine. (7" throat). My BIL made a frame that allows the sewing machine to be moved over top of the quilt (almost like a long arm). The down side is that I can only quilt a strip of about 4-5 inches at a time... given the size of the throat of my sewing machine. So mostly I use a medium stippling or meandering. I am happy that for large quilts, I don't have to crawl on the floor to pin baste.

I only have a regular sewing machine too. I hand quilt everything with the outline stitch. I just bought stencils and am going to try to hand quilt using those in the borders of my latest quilt. Not sure how it will come out, but looking forward to trying. Will look into the quilting with my regular machine

I use my regular sewing machines (mechanical and computerized) for FMQ and I have a Brother 1500 with a 9" throat that I use exclusively for FMQ. I had the Inspria/Pfaff Grand Quilter set up for a while but it took up so much space, I finally sold it and now, when I have a big quilt, I put it on a big table and use my 1500. I have pretty good luck with the results.

I hand quilt most of mine if big i send them to my quilter

Bailey Home Quilters are mid size arm machines at mid-size price. I have had my 13" machine 4 years now.
You can get various types of frames, without spending a small fortune. Quilting space is enlarged by having a
machine with a larger throat area. Bailey makes several sizes.

http://www.baileyssewingcenter.com/h...l?src=overture

June in Cincinnati

I have done some nice size quilts on my dinky Brother Mechanical basic machine. The king size one was a stitch in the ditch. A little tough to pull it through that small space, but, it was on point and I started in the middle and worked out so it wasn't impossible. Do check out Leah Day. She also has a website with videos - she shows how she puddles her big quilts on her domestic machine.

I have a Juki TL 98QE and a BabyLock Jane, 9" throats and I can quilt any size quilt I want to. I bought a table for the Juki to sit in and having no extension table is no problem at all, Babylock Jane has an extension table.

You might also try the "quilt-as-you-go" method. There are several of them out there that quilt a block at a time or sections at a time and then join the blocks or sections.

I use my JukiTL98Q. I got mine from ebay new.

I have a domestic and have fmq all of my quilts like the other lady said it can be done and it gets better with every one that you do.

I have all domestic sewing machines (except one industrial 31-15) and I quilt all my own quilts. Like someone else said, there's a learning curve and you won't be happy with your first few, but you catch on. And there's such a sense of accomplishment from having done it all yourself. :)

Before my shoulder gave out, I did hundreds of quilts on my home machine. First, I was using a Bernina, Now I have a Janome. The Janome is easier to use because it has more quilting space (and a sturdier machine). Most of my quilting is free motion. I do one relatively small section at a time, then move to another. This one, for example, was about 105" square. You don't need to afford a LA to quilt a larger quilt. You do need some patience.

You don't have to have a longarm. There's a ton of info on Leah Day's blog. She quilts on a regular machine.

http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/

Then check out Sharon Schamber's basting videos on youtube.

Between the two you'll be able to baste and quilt any size quilt.

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I started with this older table top frame. I used my mechanical Pfaff with about 5-6 inch throat. I have since upgraded to a mid arm and this frame is for sale. If interested PM me....

When I first started quilting in 91, I used a 40+ year old Singer and completed several queens that way. Yes, there is a learning curve but I think it's worth it. Now, I have an HQ16 but only because it was my mother's posthumous gift to me.

I have a voyager for about 4 years now. I love it. I think the new model is a little more, than I paid for mine. I have not had a minute's trouble with it that was not caused by "operator" error.

I currently have an Innova LA (which is easier to handle and less expensive than a Gammill - having rented a Gammill at my LQS). Before I was able to purchase it, I had taken excellent classes from Sue Rasmussen, Elizabeth Spannring, and Diane Gaudynski, who all do large quilts on their Bernina home machines and learned wonderful things. There is a learning curve on your home machine, but as everyone says, you can do it.

I also use a 1500pq for my quilting. that extra two inches makes all the difference and the thread cutter is nice as well.

i use my regular kenm ore sewing machine to FMQ mine , i just do it in sections, but i am saving for the HQ sweet 16 sit down quilting machine

I recently finished quilting a very large, 108"x108", quilt on a Janone with a 9" throat. I did feathers, echoing, SID, flowers, vines, and more, mostly FMQ. It was tough doing the very center because I had to scrunch so much under the machine but it worked. It has taken me some time to get to this point and I started on projects that didn't mean a lot to me. The first one was one of my SIL's and the work was hideous. She gave it to a granddaughter and noone really cares how it looks. Start with small projects and simple designs and before you know it you'll be surprised at what you can do. BTW I do NOT use gloves or rubber tips or other aids to move the fabric, I use glycerine. A couple drops on your fingertips will give you all the friction you need to move your project and there is no harm to your fabric and your skin will love the glycerine. Any drug store will have a lifetime supply for $5 or less.

I recently finished quilting one that is 108"x108" on my Janone with a 9" throat using SID, feathers, echoing, flowers, vines, and more, mostly FMQ. It was tough doing the center because I had to scrunch so much under the machine. My first attempt was hideous but with practice, patience, and determination I am very happy with my efforts. Start with small projects using simple designs and before you know it you will be very surprised with the results. Not to mention the amount of satisfaction you will feel. BTW, I do NOT use gloves, rubber tips, or other aids to move the fabric, I use glycerine. A couple drops on your fingertips will give you all the friction you need to move your project, the glycerine is not harmful to your fabric and your skin will love the stuff. Any drug store will sell you a lifetime supply for $5 or less.[ATTACH=CONFIG]326278[/ATTACH]

I just finished quilting a queen on my 55 year old Singer 401A. It was hard, but by having a table in front and one on the side I did just fine. It was slow going and my arms were sore, but I am pleased with the results.

That's how I'm learning too. Leah Day takes the fear out of FMQ and I love her techniques!

I was told to make sample 12" squares and practice. I first tried a baby quilt by going around the design. Then after more practice I bought an embroidery machine and made a quilt with the quilt designs in the squares (I was not confident yet and didn't believe in myself). Now after many quilts I now either do large stippling or follow a stencil marked on the quilt. My own work looks much better than that time-consuming embroidery/quilting. I still do embroidery on quilt squares, but they are just embroidery and I quilt it myself.

Try it on scraps, take a class, or practice with a friend. You can do free motion quilting!

I've quilted all but one quilt on my home machine. It does take a learning curve. My first freeform quilting - I chose a tree skirt since I only have to look at it for about a month a year. Others do baby quilts that they give away. Practice first on a few potholders and then move on to your quilt. If you just can't bring yourself to do it on your large quilt, use a thick batt and tie it. I prefer using wool yarn (Cascade is perfect).

One method that can be helpful is to add the batting to the sandwich in sections as you progress, so you do not have so much to fit under the arm of a domestic machine.

LoriS, Not sure I get the picture of adding batting in sections. Please explain for us newbies. Thanks, Teresa

I own a longarm machine and it sits idle a lot. I can't make quilt tops fast enough to keep it busy all the time. If you could get together with other quilters and "hire" it out when you are not using it you could recoup some of your cost. I have been thinking about "hiring" mine out. There is a learning curve but it is a pretty smooth curve and easy to navigate. BTW mine is computerized.

I hand piece and hand quilt. To me it's more relaxing than fighting with a sewing machine--besides that, I can't afford to buy the material and then pay someone to quilt it for me.

I purchased a used Pfaff GrandQuilter with a 9" throad on a 10' frame. It was $1500. Check with your local quilt shops or Quilt Guilds to see if they know of anything for sale. I would like to have a 13" - 15" throad machine, but can't afford it right now, so this works for me.

I have a Brother Embroidery machine. I frequently use this for quilting free motion or embroidery files.

I will trace designs on press and seal by Glad and follow the lines.

I would love to pay someone to do this for me or purchase one of those fancy machines. Now my quilts are made by me. Besides, I love doing the quilting part.