Quiltingboard Forums - Long arm, mid arm comparison

Quote:

Originally Posted by MamaHen

I recently bought the new Handi Quilter Avante. I have had it 3 weeks. It has 15" of quilting space, enough for me, if it was much bigger, I would have trouble reaching across to start and pull bobbing thread up. Let alone trying to reach over to load backing. "Talk about smooth!!!!"
I got the Studio Frame with mine, and love everthing about it. I never tried out any other machine, fell in love with Handi Quilter 10 years ago, and knew that when the time came, that is what I would buy. The only maintance is a drop of oil in bobbin housing every other bobbin change, and to keep lint out of the area. I have just finished my second qult, a 100 x 116" oversize king, and I can say that everything went smooth and it looks great. My machine was set up by my rep and then I was given over 4 hours of training on it before she left for the day. The price was right compared with other long or mid arm machines. I knew if I went for a less expensive machine and table, I would never be happy.

Glad to hear you like your HQ Avante. That is actually what I am saving for. I have looked at several different brands and know that the Avante is what I want and will meet my needs and be in the price range I plan to spend and yet I feel I will have a quality machine without wanting to "move up" to something else a short time later. I also have a wonderful Rep only an hour away who I already know I want to buy from. Hopefully I don't have to wait ten years to get mine though. But who knows--with kids in college......! I'm thinking since the Avante is still fairly new on the market and once it's out another year, maybe some people who own them will want to move on to the Fusion and sell their Avante and maybe I can find a gently used Avante for a better price. Then I could buy one sooner! For now--I'm dreeeaming about HQ Avante........