Long Arm opinions
 

Hi everyone

I am going to look at a Janome 1600p with a Next Generation Frame and Grace Sure Stitch regulator tonight that a lady is selling.

I have a Janome 8200 but don't want to tie it up in the frame, since the 1600 only has a 9" throat space do you think this will become frustrating?

What are your thoughts/opinions of this frame and machine?

thanks
Carol

This is a great entry into frame quilting, but the 9" of space translates into about 5" when you factor in the roll up of the finished quilt. Eventually you will probably be ready for more space, but if it's a bargain it will serve you while you get your feet wet. We have a similar setup (Pfaff 1200) and have done about 40 quilts on it. We are looking into an 18" machine and frame now.

Thanks very much for your reply, good to know about the roll of finished quilt taking space.

The lady is asking $1,800 and from what I have researched, that seems like a pretty decent price. It is 6 years old.

Her ad says it can expand to King size, do you happen to know if this is something I have to add on or is that a standard with the Next Generation frames? I can't seem to determine if it comes like that or not. I emailed her last night to ask, but haven't heard back from her.

I don't have that frame. Ours is the Imperial. We have quilted up to 100" square on it. This is the quilt so you can see the pattern: http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...n-t179856.html. The blocks are 14" square. That does seem like a decent price, and you can sell or trade the setup when/if you decide to upgrade. Or you can keep the machine because it is a powerful machine with thread cutter and needle up/down and sell the frame. Let me know what you decide.

That is a beautiful quilt, and a very touching story. I think this unit will be great to start with and like you said, I can always sell it later if I find I need "more".

The machine you're considering is really a short arm, not a long arm. I would save more and get a true long arm. To me the space a frame takes up would have to be worth it and I can FMQ on a short arm machine that doesn't take up a room.

I started on a New Joy frame with a Janome 1600 and got frustrated very quickly.

If you only do baby or lap sized quilts, you'll be fine. If you do queen or king, you'll pull your hair out and wish you'd gone for more throat space.

if the setup is inexpensive, i would try it with the 9" machine you have. i started with a juki tl98q and learned a lot with that machine. with creative quilting designs, i as able to quilt a king sized quilt with it. the regulator allowed me to pause when needed while still learning. i say go for it.

If you look for a used machine, you can get a good long arm APQS brand on a 10-12 ft frame for about $3000. Check a couple different sites for some prices.

Forum.apqs.com
Longarmuniversity.com
Houseofhansen.com

You can also check craigslist. Personally, I would be frustrated with a 9 inch throat, trying to do long arm quilting. Good luck!

i have exactly that set up, i find it works really good for my quilts. it gets tight
in there sometimes but i like it, i can't afford the more expensive set up. that is
a good price