In the last few weeks I have been researching a new machine with a stitch regulator being a priority. I have been looking at the Bernina 440 but I came across this and would really appreciate some experienced advice. It looks like it would provide my stitch regulator need, work as a great backup to my Viking and use it as a mid-arm to boot for less than the Bernina! I am always leary of a good deal and get too far in before double checking everything, what do you think?

Oops, I forgot the link: http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp11886.html

I don't know if I'd call this a mid-arm. The throat is still pretty small.

Janome is a good brand of machine. The HandiQuilter does only have a 9" throat though.
It's less than a Bernina, because Janomes are a lot less costly than Berninas. Personally, I like the Janome better, but that's just me.
If you want a Bernina, be ready to pay for it. Bernina owners seem to swear by them, but to me, it's a lot of money for a machine that other brands can do for a lot less.
Just my opinion.

Thanks for your input!

I wouldn't trade my Juki 98Q for a Bernina. I love her so much. She's an all metal, straight stitch machine. Someday, I will get a long arm to put on my frame, but will still keep Juki to piece.

I have Viking Sapphire 830, with a 9in bed, that I am using on a Grace Mini Pinn frame, & that 9in bed is working great. I don't see a problem with a machine this size, on a frame, & have no complaints about mine.I have a Janome I stitch with otherwise, & it's a great machine, so this looks like a good deal, in my opinion....

That one is a twin to my Juki and I love mine. I use it on a frame and have had no complaints so far.

Thanks again for your advice, it's encouraging! Littlehud they have the same special w/the Juki as they do for the Janome. I have a couple of weeks to decide before I make my decision. I'm feeling pretty good about it so far, just wish I could get some one on one training on it!

I have a Brother 1500s, which is similar is size, with a 9" throat. -- The playing field is only about 6". It is working for me as I learn. I find sometimes that there is a design I don't quite have enough playing field for and have to complete after rolling, requiring me to cut the thread and start again.

Hmm, I wonder if I will be left with a 6" area also instead of 9" which I thought was small enough. Oh to be rich and just go get what you want huh? lol!

As the quilt rolls up the 9" space gets shorter. Don't forget the pole with the beginning of the quilt will take up appx 2". As I roll the quilt, I do it with as little slack as possible so the roll dosn't get to big.

Well, there's a misunderstanding on the comment regarding the HandiQuilter. The HandiQuilter is only the frame that holds the ordinary sewing machine, not a mid or long arm frame. (The smallest Handiquilter machine is 16".) There is no HandiQuilter machine that comes with this package.

Just trying to clarify...
Debbie in Austin

And this is how I started out...with a grace frame and my old singer...for about 4-5 months, then moved up to my longarm. NOW I'm a happy camper :) The 9" will work just fine, if that's all you can have for now, and many people make it work. It does limit you to about 4" at the end of a large quilt. But, there are also Bailey machines, WOWs, and others that are not as expensive as a longarm, and allow you more inches at the bottom. Just something else to consider ;) Hope this helps.

I've mentioned this elsewhere, but I originally bought a Juki with a 9" throat (basically the twin of this Janome), and personally, I found it far too limiting. If you're working mostly with crib-sized quilts, then maybe it would work okay for you, but as soon as you get any quilt of a decent size on the frame, the amount of throat space you have to work with after you've rolled the quilt up will be very limited. The size of the pattern you'll be able to work with will be very small; some people are happy with that, but I certainly wasn't.

I highly recommend looking into getting a used Bailey. You can find one for approximately the same price (with a frame) on the Bailey user group on Yahoo Groups, and get a substantially larger throat! There's someone on there right now, in East Texas, selling their 15" and GMQ Pro frame for $2000, just as a heads up (Once you're a member of the group, go to Database->For Sale or Wanted to see what people are selling). The machine in question doesn't appear to come with a stitch regulator, so that would be an extra expense, but that's still a pretty darn good deal.

My pfaff expressions 2.0 has a 10 inch throat I got it on sale for $1,000 That one only has a 9 inch throat.

Fogot to say I have quilted an oversized King on it using the "poof and puddle" method. :)

I have the Juki, had looked at this as an alternative. Love my Juki, but looking for a long arm now. I've "outgrown" the 9" throat. Thinking Bailey as it is for my own use but want a 15" throat.

Wonder what shipping is to PA? hmmmm.