Long Arm sewing machine
 

I would like a long arm for my own use at home. Any suggestions as to the least expensive kind that would be better than trying to shove a queen size quilt through my regular sewing machine? Thanks!!

You really have to go to a quilt show to test drive them and see what works for your space. I use to quilt queen size quilts on my Bernina 1530 but I had a table I designed so the quilt was supported. Good Luck. It is almost the same as shopping for a car.

Test drive the different machines....I have a HandiQuilter Avante 18 ....it is a great machine, I am so glad that I purchased this.

Hi and welcome to the board. Maniac hit the nail on the head when she said it was almost like shopping for a car. First thing you need to do is test drive a few to make sure you may even like Longarm quilting. Plenty of people have posted on this board in the past that once they tried it they realized right away it wasn't for them. Others realized the cost did not justify the amount of quilting they might possibly do or realized they could literally send hundreds of quilts to a LA pro for the cost of the machine.

Most people research and weigh their options for a year or more when making such an expensive purchase. They range in price from as little as a a couple thousand dollars for bare bones, no stitch regulated smaller sit down models like a 13" Bailey to tens of thousands of dollars for the computerized models and every price point in between. In addition to the cost of the machine head you will need either a special table or a rack. So you need to add at least $600 to your machine price for purchasing a table or rack (and some are quite a bit more than that). You can always make a table too There are also used machines out there but if you go that route you most likely will not get any training or support if something goes wrong. Believe me you definitely want training and support.

First you need to set yourself a budget. Then based on that, you need to decide if you want a sit down machine or a rack set up. Then you need to make a list of what features you may want, such as stitch regulation, computer guided, etc. Then you need to start researching and going to major quilt shows to see them in action. Check your area LQS to see if any of them offer training and rental time on a LA. A sure fire way to find out if you can manage working on a rack set up physically (long hours of standing and loading quilts, backing and batting). If sit down is the way you want to go, again, go to the big shows and try out a demo model or better yet find a local dealer. You don't say where in Western NY you are but Bailey's home quilters are in western NY. You may be close enough to them to stop in.
http://www.baileyssewingcenter.com/index.html

My best advice to you is don't rush into anything. Weigh all your options and don't forget these types of machine also have a long learning curve for many. Take your time so you don't regret your purchase.

I agree with all the other posters. You need hands on testing to make an informed decision. A large quilt show will have multiple vendors. It's worth the trip, even if you have to spend the night. Another pre-purchase idea is to check with your LQS to see if they know of anyone who rents time on their machine or teaches long arm lessons.

I would love one too but can't justify the cost.......for the cost I could send more quilts to a LA then I could imagine.

You may also be able to find a store near you with a LA machine that you can rent time on. You can use that as both a way to thoroughly learn your way around one machine at least (they usually require a class before you can use the machine on your own) and you may find it's easier to rent time on someone else's (and let THEM deal with repair headaches) than to have your own. And I know for ME, I have some back problems and the longer I stand there the more I ache, and that's important to know too - if you'll be comfortable quilting standing up for long stretches. You might not be able to tell that just from a test drive.

I purchased a used 15" Bailey, and have used it to quilt at least 20 quilts, so I consider that it has paid for itself because I haven't had to pay someone else to do my quilts. THe Bailey doesn't have all the fancy bells and whistles that some of the other quilting machines have, but it does the job, and was in my price range.

Nolting is a good machine without a lot of bells and whistles also. Look at their website, they often have trade-ins for a reasonable price. I have the FunQuilter and it does a good job for what I do.

A Bailey is what I'll be getting when I have the room and the money, but will be getting a frame instead of a sit down model.

I bought the Innova at a show and paid $7200 for the long arm machine & table & just love it

Bailey is the most affordable I have seen, the new juki is less expensive, and there is the new midarm Block Rockit that is also affordable. HQ are more expensive than the other 3 but not as much as say an APQS, gammill or innova which are on the higher end of the spectrum. You really have to test and do your homework as it is a big investment

Also make sure you have the space , those units are huge

Not exactly, a Brand new HQ 18" Avante with frame and SR retails at $10,995.00
http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/avanteadvantage.php

A brand new 18" Innova with frame and SR (NOT Lightening stitche) retails at $9,995.00
http://www.innovalongarm.com/shop/innova-packages.html


IMHO Innova is a much better machine (but I am biased) and definitely priced more competitively than HQ.

Unless you've already worked on a LA that you love, you definitely need to "test drive" a few. I rent an APQS to do my large quilts on but they are pricey so I have signed up for a LA quilt show being held in New Hampshire in April. I plan to play on a few machines and learn about the accessories/options offered. My husband and I are in the planning stages of closing in our attic space over the garage to accommodate a LA on a 10 or 12 rail.

I wish you the best in your search. : )

I test drove a couple at a quilt show and decided I liked Handquilter16. Then I watched Craigslist every.single.day. After 2 years I found one for $3,500 offered $2,500 and bought it. I love it and there are many many videos to help you learn how to use it. I thought it was like a big Featherweight and that helped me to be fearless.

There is a new player on the field with a machine called the Block Rocket. If I were buying new I would consdier this one and do some research.

When we got our long arm, we researched the internet for all the machines we were interested in. We then found a demo of one of the machines and made an appointment to go there, about 100 miles from where we live. While there we found a another location that had one of the machines we were looking at and went there too. We are really happy we did that. We found the machine that we have been really happy with. That was 10 years ago. Just remember to get the machine you will be happy with for what you want to do.

You can spend as little or as much as you want. This is the set up my DH made for me and we have about $400 in it. I love it and it is far from fancy but it does the job for me. Good luck in whatever you do.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...d-t243621.html

Please take my longarm, she is a Babylock Jewel with all the bells and whistles. She is a wonderful girl and can be adjusted from 3-5-8 to 10ft Your choice. I am now quilting for others and needed a much bigger machine. PM me for more information. I NEED MY SEWING ROOM BACK!

Just looked at your set-up and it is fantastic. We are in the same situation that you are in and I would love to be able to have something like that. You (and your husband) could make some extra money by putting this in print in some sort of booklet form. Other people sell their ideas like that. We bought plans to make a whizbanger chicken plucker and it works. I would rather have a set up like what you have and would pay for the plans.
Hope you are enjoying your machine set-up. It makes alot more sense than paying 10,000. for a machine.

I graduated from a short arm to a 17-inch Bailey in 9/2012. It is a real workhorse and I love the frame (Grace Majeste). My biggest challenge is thread tension because my quilting projects use different threads. Everytime I change the thread, I test it on a swatch on the side first before getting started on the actual quilt. It helps. I would love to hear what tensions other Bailey owners like to use. If you want, reply to this post or PM me.

Shesewsmuch, hope you find a machine you like and enjoy it. Once you get over the learning curve, you'll do fine!

Longarm machine.
 

I would suggest longarm university. You can purchase used machines thru them. I acquired a machine that way and love it. The price was right for me and it was local so I was able to pick it up as well. Try that

Like FelineFanatic, I love my Innova (very low maintenance), but you definitely need to do a test drive to find the one for you. Also, if cost is a factor, try to find a used machine. Sometimes the dealers have demos or trade-ins that cost less. You also need to consider what you have in the way of available floor space.

The big difference between a sitdown and the standard LA or machine with frame is you still have to push the quilt around under the sitdown machine.

Have you looked into renting a machine at your local quilt shop?

There are several stores in the Ohio area that rent the machines by the hour after you take a training class.

I have found this very useful to spend time with the different machines to narrow down which one I might consider.

midarm
 

You should consider my midarm Pfaff with an Inspira frame. She is wonderful for free motion quilting. Also has laser panto capabilities. I didn't use her very much when I started making prayer quilts and needed the computer and longarm for speed. The Pfaff can be set up with a Qbot computer. I need to sell her to make some room. She does crib to king size quilts. Great setup for anyone that loves to freehand! It's a steal at $4,000.00!!

I have a viking Mega quilter 9" throat with Grace metal frame for sale $1650 including UPS shipping. Contact me if you are interested. Thanks

I like my Nolting. Remember that a good dealer is very important for learning how to run it and for service. A good dealer is worth their weight in gold.

FYI, a new Gammill 18" with a 10' or 12' frame runs about $9000.00 . Call your local dealer and check it out. Go for a test drive.....your gonna love it!

before you make a decision, take the time to rent some time on a long arm to see if you like it, and be sure to check on internet--google "comparing long arm quilting machines" and you'll find some articles that will give you info. THEN go to a major quilt show and test drive the different machines with a list of features you've decided you want. Sometimes at major shows they sell the machines used in the long arm quilting classes at a significant discount so they don't have to ship them back as do the vendors . once you've figured out your "want" list and budget, you'll know whether you are shopping new or used

Also--while most long armers do stand a lot (loading, doing pantos, etc) consider adding saddle or drafting stool in the future if you plan to do much free hand quilting and choose your frame/table accordingly--glad I did!

I just bought a long arm and I love it. I think the machine is great but the instruction booklet is in black and white and the pictures are terrible and there are mistakes also. The videos do not show the easiest fastest way to do things. I wish I had asked how much instruction on how to use the machine comes with the purchase price and last of all, I wish we had bought a used one from a reputable dealer who likes to give instructions.

I've suddenly realized that I'm doing just the research many ladies on this thread have talked about...

At AQS QuiltWeek yesterday, I was actually looking for a frame because it's gotten to be a pain (quite literally) to crawl around on the hardwood floor to pin-baste my quilt sandwich. I did a full (double) bed size one a couple weeks ago and was in pain for days. (Maybe I need to go to the gym or yoga...but that's another story!)

Anyway, I'm already getting an idea of what I want. I'd tried a mid-arm, I think it was an HQ 16, at a quilt show last year but didn't like their stitch regulator, and of course, that doesn't even use a frame.

Yesterday, I found the Grace frames, and talked to a local dealer. We agreed that using my $3500 Brother VQ3000 isn't probably the best for that machine.

I thought about a straight stitch machine, as many people use a Brother 1500 or Juki 2010(?) with the Grace frames. However, having that little space (these have 9" throats) to quilt seems to be very limiting. I.e, I think it would drive me crazy.

I did try and really liked the Block RockIt, but my local Brother dealer seemed quite down on it (I need to talk to him some more to see if he really knows something bad about it.) If I go that route I want to wait until another show--as a show special, they had the BRI with the frame for the same price as the machine alone.

I think I'll also try the "rent time at a local shop" idea--we do have one that does that, I think--just to try a long arm. I don't think I"d even be able to justify half the cost of most LA machines, but I want to try that out before making any decisions.

Long story short:

I want a frame to prevent the crawl on the floor problem
I want enough working space to FMQ a whole block area at a time
I don't want to spend $10K or more!!
I want a frame I can fit in my sewing room (which fortunately is long, though narrow)

Just starting the hunt! Thanks, everyone, for sharing your views here. Further advice and ideas eagerly awaited.

Hallie in NM

I hear you about not being able to crawl around on the floor! I could not, plus the strain on my shoulders and arms with trying to quilt on my DMS meant I really avoided anything big unless I planned on paying a long armer. But I did rent time on one at the LQS and loved it! Just not convenient to do it that way-too far from home to work for a period and then stop and return later. So I dreamt of owning one, played on all of them at big shows and thought it would never happen due to $$. When my Mom passed (she taught me to sew)she left some $$ and my DH insisted I buy something I wanted that my Mom would think was cool (she would go to those big shows with me!). I knew it was a long arm. I found a used Gammill via my LQS and since the previous owner had died, I also bought all her thread, rulers, pantos, books,etc. It was a true bargain.
Couple of ideas I'd suggest-while my machine has a 14' table, a 12' would have been plenty.
And as far as throat space--you want to actually try that--it will depend on your arm length and its silly to buy larger than you can COMFORTABLY use
Make sure you can adjust the height of the table/frame--hydraulics are nice but expensive
Consider used--get the word out to LQS, dealers, at guilds that you are looking. That's how my Gammill fell into my lap! Watch ads in "penny savers", etc including auctions.
Don't spend a fortune assuming you can quilt for others and make a fortune--you may--but not right away and if there are many long armers in your area, it will make it very competitive--and many quilters seem to be buying sit-down set-ups for their own use.
After you buy one, do spend the $$ to go to a large show to take some classes, also check out machine quilting guilds, groups, etc in your area as they usually are very helpful.

Good luck! I love long arm quilting.

When I worked at a quilt store they bought a Nolting Fun quilter, and I learned on that machine.. After i retired I bought a midarm for $1000. on Craigslist and it had a wonderful stitch but after using the Nolting I was not happy.. Sold it on Craigslist for $900. and found and purchased an HQ16 also on Craigslist for $4,500. The lady that I bought it from has called to find out how it was working out. It has a stitch regulator but is makes too much noise and I find that I can work better without the regulator.

[QUOTE=luvstoquilt301;7052552]I test drove a couple at a quilt show and decided I liked Handquilter16. Then I watched Craigslist every.single.day. After 2 years I found one for $3,500 offered $2,500 and bought it. I love it and there are many many videos to help you learn how to use it. I thought it was like a big Featherweight and that helped me to be fearless.

Wow, you got a deal. I did the same watching Craigslist and lists on the web. I finally got the floor model at a store here in Phoenix, I did get the HQ16 pro-stitcher with it , which I didn't think I wanted (computer), but now that I have it I like it. I didn't feel I got enough help from the dealer that I bought from, but since I bought I found another dealer and a HQ16 instructor here that helped a lot. And a HQ group that meets every other month with a teacher at the store at no charge. I would not make as many quilts as I do if I didn't have it. It has become one of my hobbies, never have done it for hire and probably never will, but love doing it. I quilt for many charities, QOV, Aid to Adoptions of Special Kids, and Christ Child Society and a few others. Even though I paid a lot for it, I am VERY Happy I have it.

Oh, and I have the studio frame, which is the "good" one. I had gone to see one for sale at a home that had it set up on what seemed to me to be a big banquet table!!! not stable and it seemed to bow from the weight. My frame is adjustable in every way. Can be set up large or small. Can't remember the size but I don't have the extra poles in to make it the largest as I don't have room and I don't need it. I am happy with the stitch regulator, too bad you didn't like it when you tried it, maybe you just need practice.

Bought a Babylock Tiara with stitch regulator in September and am loving it. Learning as I go, but my skills are getting better with each project.

Well I first started with a Sweet Sixteen that was Nov 2012. Then I got the Avante Aug 2014 on the 12 foot frame. In November I upgraded that to add the Pro-Stitcher. I finally feel now I'm satisfied, until I wear this one out and then I may want that new Infinity. I love HQ. Never fussy about thread, easy to learn, and always runs like a dream. We've bought all the machines from Sewing Machines Plus and I just watched the videos and read the manual and off I went getting tops quilted.

I have a INNOVA AND LOVE IT .......you should go to a show [i went to paducha] and test drove everyone i could find...took a notebook wrote the pros and cons ...went back test drove the good ones ....checked to see how helpful the staff was ...made a choice and have no regrets

You do have to test drive , I did had HQ 16 we moved sold it got a A-1 Had it for 4 years sold it not happy.
Went back to HQ Fusion . Love it . I did go to the shows and look at others.

good luck

Also, make sure you can get the machine of your choice into the room you want it in. The table for my Gammill is all one piece, over 2 ft. wide and 14 ft. long, steel, and doesn't go around corners. We made a cardboard mock-up prior to purchase. Have fun shopping!