Long Arm Machines
 

A friend, of my niece by marriage, just bought a new Sweet Sixteen LA. She invited me to go today and 'play' on it. I had a ball! Would love to have 'something' with a long arm, deep throat. I was wondering what machine do you have? What do you like or not like about it?...I don't see one in my near future but I can still dream!

I definitely understand. The first time I laid hands on a LA (which did happen to be a sweet 16) I was in love and knew I had to do whatever it took to get one. A year and half later I got my Innova 26" mounted on a 10 ft rack. No robotics but I do have the lightning stitch stitch regulator which I upgraded to just about a year ago.

I love everything about it but if I could wish, I would wish it had the same wheel/rail system as the Bernina rack. I would change absolutely nothing else about it.

You should get one, Toogie! I also have a sit down longarm... the Juki TL2200s. It's the same machine as used in a stand up frame, just set in a table. Juki offers the same machine both ways. It has no robotics or stitch regulator, but I'm doing just fine without them.

I tried out stand up and sit down models, and greatly prefer the sit down. I think because I previously did my FMQ on a smaller Juki, so I had virtually no learning curve switching to the bigger machine. I like the visibility of my face being closer to the stitching as it is happening, and also feel I can control the movement much better by moving the quilt, rather than the whole machine on a trolley. Something about the weight of the machine/trolley just throws me off.

Try out some models to see which style 'clicks' for you. If you go to a quilt show, there are usually many types to play on.

I have an older Nolting with a 24" throat. I use mostly pantographs and can go up to a 15" comfortable. My dream machine is one of he APQS long arms. One of the most important things is to have reliable service, which mine has not needed in 5 years, and someone you can talk to if you can't make the darn thing work. For me, my husband is so mechanically minded that he can usually fix my problems. As you guessed, mine has no computers on it and that makes it much easier to work on and keep running. I would like a better table, and maybe one of these years will get one.

My best advice would be to go to a large quilt show and test drive every machine there. I went to the International quilt Festival in Houston. I had decided on an APQS machine which I would have had to wait several years for. Then I bought the 1999 Nolting from my friend for a super reasonable price. She had just bought a new Gammill. Hers did move smoother on the newer table and I thought the stitch was a bit better, but my cost was 10% of what she paid for hers. I'm okay with my deal.

In MN i had a big fram but a little machine... sold them when i left the state. here, i tried a friend's sweet 16. I found the large frame much easier to use for me. right now, i have a new Juki TL1020q... i love that machine for FMQ!

My wonderful husband gave me a 26" Innova on a 12' frame for Christmas this year. I'm in love with both the man and the machine. :D For the last couple of years, I have been looking at and testing longarms, talking to other quilters, and I took a couple of classes where I could test-drive the machine for hours instead of minutes.

I have a lot of quilting friends who have switched from Nolting, Tin Lizzie, Gammill, Homesteader, APQS, and a couple other brands to an Innova, and they are all very happy. That was reason #1 for me to look hard at Innova. Reason #2 was the impressive support - they taught me how to service my machine myself, and if I have any problems there is 24/7 support available, even on holidays, even at 3 am when I can't sleep.

Hubby was very thoughtful and I got the lightning stitch, light bar and the hydraulic lift, which I didn't think I'd use but boy was I wrong! I can lower it to a level where I can sit comfortably and quilt, or I can stand up and raise it all they way up to about my breast height and do micro-quilting close up. Love it.

I bought a Gammill in 2004 and sold it this past year. Loved that machine, however it did not have the computer. With a bad back I never should have bought it. . . . When I thought about getting one with computer, not just stitch regulator, it was too pricey. My Gammill could not be up graded and I was not going to put out over $25,000 for a different machine.
My best friend bought my machine so now I get to go see her and my gf will quilt the large ones for me just for the price of thread! What a deal.

I have had a 26" Innova on a 12-foot frame for about 9 years. I upgraded to the Lightning Stitch, which wasn't available when I first purchased the machine. I'm totally happy with my choice, and with the support Innova offers. I prefer quilting on a frame, but not everyone does. Try out a lot of different machines and see which ones make you happy.

I love to long arm--spent 6.5 hrs today working on a shop sample quilt. I had rented time on one at a shop not too far away and done a couple of quilts and fell in love with the process but the price was beyond what I could justify. when my Mom and I'd go to shows she'd sit and chat with the vendor while I played on their machines. When she passed and left me an inheritance, my DH said to buy something for myself for a change that my Mom would think was cool. Took me 10 seconds to say "I'm buying a long arm!". I bought a used 2006 Gammill Classic Plus on 14' frame. It's hand guided but does have a stitch regulator.

What I like--it's dependable, the frame is super sturdy, it's easy for me to work on and the tech support, both on the phone and in person is good. Plus they are getting more and more videos on their website showing how to do maintenance--I really appreciate that. They also are on the Gammill users FB site and volunteer ideas on repairs too. I like that it uses an M bobbin (large), where the on/off buttons are (I had an experience with another brand at a show that I had to walk to the back to turn on/off even though I'm 5'7"!). I like that I can use a drafting stool when I'm doing lots of ruler work. I especially love that on a long arm you don't have to do any basting, adhesive, etc you just put it on the frame and start quilting!
What I'd like to change: wish I had hydraulics if I had another $1500! The newer Gammills have a better basting stitch which would be handly and the back handles are offset so easier to do pantos (Which I rarely do anyway) without hurting my neck. Also the newer ones have a coast speed which makes for a smoother Stitch regulator. All that said--I love my machine!

Toogie, yes once you discover how fun it is to quilt on a longarm, it is something you wish for. I have waited almost 3 years before I finally purchased one. The first year and a half was construction of a sewing studio over our two car garage to provide a home for it. Then the last year and a half was trying to make a decision on which brand...especially since they are a huge investment. As lyric girl posted, going to a quilt show and trying different machines is very advisable. They all feel differently to each individual. My long awaited longarm was just set up last Friday and I am having a ball, no longer have to drive an hour to rent one.

"To each their own" as the saying goes; I purchased my Gammill on a metal 14 foot table inWest Plains, Missouri new in May of 2000. I have never been sorry. My machine is not stitch regulated nor is it computerized, but I love it. In 18 plus years I needed to take it for service twice (the first time operator err; the second time to fix the light switch). I keep it oiled and cleaned and whatever maintenance it needs I am able to take care of it. Have never had a problem with tension, do mostly customer quilting on it with a lot of ruler work. As most of us can say I absolutely love my machine!

three years ago i bought a Qnique 14 plus.

I started with a Bailey to see if I'd like it, and quickly upgraded to a 24" HQ Fusion, and then got the robotics. I can get local support for it, and it was just barely withing my budget. Based on what people say about the Innova, I'd love to check one out but worry I'll fall in love and then not be as happy with the HQ - but getting a new LA is not in the near future.

I'm so glad that there is a range of machines at different price points.

I've had my Innova 18" with 10' frame for 9 years. I absolutely love it. Be sure you try whatever you are thinking of purchasing. It's a big investment, so you need to be comfortable with your decision. I've never regretted purchasing the Innova. Love it, love it, love it!

I have enjoyed reading all your comments. I did forget to say, even tho the friend purchased the longarm, she got it in a cabinet, not the frame. I loved the freedom of movement, so to speak, of having the deep throat and being it was a large flat area to slide the quilt to work. It didn't hurt my hands or wrist, like my regular small throat machine does, with just a narrow work bed. I also used her gloves, which I never used before, and I really liked them. Hers were by Fons & Porter, but I wished I'd have asked the size. My hands are small (the only part of me that is, besides my eyes-lol) and her gloves fit me well. Do most of you have the frame with yours or in a table/cabinet? I'm afraid if I were to get a LA, I would only be able to purchase the lowest priced one, or a good used one at a good price. Then I am scared to purchase used...like I said I can still dream.

Also, about 2 years ago we got a new member in our class at church. We hit it off because she and I both love to sew, embroider, and quilt. She told me she had a LA with the frame and for me to come one day and she would have a baby size fabric sandwiched ready to us to play. I did go and came home frustrated. It took us hours to quilt it. I told my husband it would stitch perfect from left to right but when you wanted to go from right to left the thread kept breaking. She would re-thread and re-thread. I wasn't impressed even though her machine was bought new and didn't have many hours on it. I hate to say the name because someone might have one and love theirs. Is there something that can be done to eliminate this thread breakage, when changing directions?

That sounds like the needle was not in quite right. You can effectively advance or retard the timing by turning your needle every so slightly. when you move one way vs the other, this can get accentuated and then cause problems like shredding or breaking. The good part, most LA's are really easy to adjust timing on. I knocked mine way out of time once and DH had no trouble resetting it. It's sort of like the weakest link. But I'd rather have the needle bar slip than something break or bend.

I started out about 10 years ago with a Viking Mega Quilter that was a floor model, plain jane, no computer. Over the next 3 years it spent more time at the factory being repaired than it spent in my house. So I did a lot of checking out of machines and ended up with a HQ Avante on a 12' frame, in my living room. It had computer too, which I upgraded to the new pro-stitcher. I love everything about it. I named him Bob, and he is the love of my life. I like being able to move the machine rather than moving the fabric. I was horrible at FMQ on my domestic machine, so a longarm on a frame was the next logical move.

[QUOTE=Macybaby;8190791]That sounds like the needle was not in quite right.

This has also been my experience on my Innova. When the needle is in correctly, I get almost no thread breakage.

I bought a Gammill Classic Plus in 2006 w/12' frame. The main reason I bought the Gammill was the local service. I also liked the heavier machine (vs Sweet16). It seemed that I have more control than with a lighter machine. That said, it is a great machine, stitch regulator/no computer. I love the frame!!! It is heavy duty and no wiggling, etc, easy to load and maneuver the backing/batting/top.

My first purchase was a Hq 16. I bought it because I happen to be at our local high school and they had one in their sewing room. I talked to the teacher, and decided that if the school had this brand, it must be pretty easy to use and durable, loved it for about 10+ years and then. Bought the next bigger machine! Love them both! Good
Luck

Your local high school actually has a sewing room????!?!?!?!? :shock: WOW! I hear angels singing....

Toogie I have a midarm machine....the kind with the big table top desk that you sit down at. It is a BabyLock Tiara that I bought used and I love it to pieces. I have tried long arms, but they just aren't for me.

Try both types and decide what method you like best.

Watson

We had a Home Ec class here and when I spoke to the teacher about sewing here is what she said. "Oh, I teach cooking because I can't sew." .... WHAT?????....

Joest, Do you like the Qnique 14? I am looking at th Qnique 15R to replace a King Quilter and wasn't sure how good the Qniqe quilted.

Does anyone have a grace luminess led lighting over their long arm? How do you like it

I'm having trouble with my used Juki 2200 QVP tha is in a table instead of on a frame. When I try to sew over any seam, it just jams and won't go anywhere. Driving me crazy. I spent a good bit, for me, even though not nearly as much as a new one. I am totally frustrated and thinking of getting something else. I have a graduation quilt for my grandson that is way past due as far as getting it quilted. Any suggestions?

Mama's place, I have a friend at church that has a Juki. She invited me go one day and 'try' it. It took us all day to do a simple baby quilt size. The machine would sew fine from left to right, but when you wanted to go right to left, thread broke every time. She told me at church this past Sunday that she put her grand daughter's twin size in to quilt. Nothing but trouble. Can't get the tension right. I know just that one day frustrated me, as I could have free motioned quilted it here on my regular machine ,the time we spent trying to re-thread and start again. I have back problems so a long arm in a frame might not be for me. Maybe I should look for a mid arm in a cabinet but sorry, no Juki...

Hi, I'm new here but we just traded in a Juki 2200 QVP machine with automation last week for a Bernina Q24. I will ask our tech what might be wrong, maybe its an easy fix. I will get back to you tomorrow!

Have you tried using a stronger, sharper needle?