Hi there all,

I am going to Houston and have narrowed my choice to three:

Tin Lizzie- the Ashley: APQS- the Lucey and The Gammil 18" longarm....

I wanted postive but mostly negatives about any of the above..

I want a longarm...ran all three and love all three....no Qbot so it will only be me and free motion.... I live in NC along the SE coast....

Any info on any model would be greatly appreciated....

Confused Quilter Karen

Did you do a search on these using the search feature above?

Test drive all of them again at the Houston show. I had an old, old Gammill Classic and sold it and just got an A-1. In fact, it's not even set up yet. Was delivered Wednesday, but because of the quilt show, dealer can't be here to set it up until after the show. I drove all of them at all the quilt shows I've been to. I always went back to the A-1.

You have to make your own decision. See what feels best for you.

I love my Lizzie!

Also try the Handi Quilter Avante. I have one & love it. It is easy to use, they have great customer service, and if you buy from a dealer most will set up and give you lessons. Always good prices at the major shows. Deals in fact. That's where I got mine last year.
Most important thing to remember:
"Try them all before buying, find the one that fits YOU best for what YOU plan on using it for."

Well, my question would apply more to: If it broke down or needed fine tuning, who will fix it and are they local? Are you concerned about that? I would imagine a company rep might be able to direct you to the locals so maybe it might be worth the time to see how repairs and adjustments are handled.

Just my opinion. I made sure when I got my Janome that I was able to take it to the dealer to get it tuned yearly. It's 45 minutes away, but that's nothing in drving time for me since I like near practically nothing anyway.

I have the HQ Fusion and love it!

quote=franie]I love my Lizzie![/quote]

I love my Tin Lizzie too!

Thank you for the input....looking for more...

All the dealers are not close by....some more than 6 hours away!!!! One of my problems...

Read some horror stories today about the Tin Lizzie....and after the Philly show I was leaning toward it!

I know some who is in the business of quilting for others and she has a Gammil...going to see it and her on Monday...but her dealer is in GA..and we are in south east NC....

Read from someone today that all the "TV" people use APQS....and maybe there is a reason to their madness and not because they are a sponser...

So here I sit confussed .....so keep on with the comments...
PLEASE

Quilter Karen

this is the LA of my dreams:

http://www.martellinotions.com/longarm.asp

APQS rocks, the service is outstanding! I've never used the Lucey, I have the Millennium, and I couldn't be more pleased with it.

I upgraded from and HQ16, and the difference is pretty amazing.

Have you had any problems with your Tin Lizzie? How long have you owned it and how much use do you give it??

well what about the Innova???when I test drove all of them it was by far my favorite

I have an A-1. LOVE it. I compared machines as you are doing. Looked and tried APQS, Gammill, Nolting and A-1. Mine runs very smoothly and quietly. Many new improvements on machines are ideas from A-1. Also, well known quilters/teachers that actually represent other companies have told people to try A-1. Many friends in my longarm group have realized that they have more control when using the A-1 or Gammill and they own HQ 16's. I love my hydraulic table lift and the motorized fabric advance. Also, my whole table is a light box, comes in handy for marking quilts. Be sure to know what you are getting for your money. Compare service, and can it be upgraded. Good Luck :D

I have the Gammill Vision 18/8 and I love it. I purchased it from Linda's Electric Quilters and they are very responsive whenever I have a question. They delivered it and set it up for me and provided me with onsite training. I did go up to McKinney Texas for their basic 2 day class and am really glad I did. The one thing you need to realize is that you will be responsible for maintenance. I have already replaced a fuse and I had a component go out that I had to install. The component itself was under warranty so there was no cost, but I was very nervous about the installation. Their instructions, however, were so clear and included pictures that it was no problem at all. They always followup with phone calls to make certain your problems have been taken care of. I am so happy I went with the Gammill. I had looked at all the other machines and I feel confident I made the right choice.

When I test drove some I really like the HQ Avante 18 inch opening and the Innova. How are you planning to use it home use or as a business? How excting. Let us know what you buy and how it works out. One problem for me was that any service or classes for the Innova would be out of state while for the Avante it is right next door. Both are lgiht to run something very important for me as I have joint issues. I keep on hearing the avante is great and people are going from the HQ 16 to the HQ Avante 18 inch opening. They are staying with the HQ. That says a lot to me. There is an even bigger one called the Fusion but that would add $.

I have a Tin Lizzie 18LS. Love it! Have used a Gammill at Columbus OH longarm class. Didnt see much difference in how the two sew. Tin Lizzie is cheaper.

The best thing is to try them out at quilt fest. That is what I did last year. I bought the HQ Avante' and just love it. Very user friendly.

I bought a millenium earlier this year and the service from APQS has been absolutely out of this world. I can't speak for the Lucy specifically as far as how it would compare with the other models on the list, but when I asked every longarmer in my area, if they had to do it over again which machine they'd buy, they ALL answered APQS. Check out their forums as well - you can get to it from a link on the APQS main page - and the people there will answer any pre-purchase question you have with a quickness.

Karen, I bought a Prodigy about two years ago and just love it. I tried several others and none of them could handle as well as the Prodigy. Charlie was the first to put a stitch regulator on a longarm machine and his works better than any I have tried. What's even better, the company is located in ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA. I have taken my machine there several times to have it adjusted after I did something stupid. Having the company close by is a priceless advantage. Send me a PM if you would like more information, or would like to come try my machine.

I have had an Innova 18" with the lightening stitch regulator for one year and love it. It is easy to handle and has great stitch quality. The lightening stitch regulator is awesome - no big stitch when you first start the machine. Contact me if you have any questions.

innova18

I bought an Innova 26" with lightening stitch in August. I agree with Innova18 about ease of handling and great stitches. I also love my dealer. She taught a wonderful 3 day course. She is prompt about answering emails and answering my questions. They even made a delivery to me when they were in the area for another customer.

I learned on a Nolting and used a Gammill (both without a stitch regulator) rented by the hour at my old LQS. I also tried a Tin Lizzie and an HQ before deciding on the Innova.

I have the Babylock Crown Jewel and I love her. She is the twin to the 18 in Avante and is actually manufactured by HQ. She is very easy to use and beautiful stitches.

I have a Babylock Crown Jewel also and love it. It came with a Grace Majestic frame. Babylock offers a 4 day class in St. Louis which I attended and came away with lots more confidence. I tried every longarm at the show at least twice and loved the Jewel the best. I was able to get interest free financing for 4 years at the show as well.
I have purchased design boards from HQ for the Avante, which, as Kacy said is the same machine. My only problem is that the nearest dealer is 1 1/2 hours away.
I bought my Jewel at the Cincinnati Quilt show in the Spring and got a great deal there compared to what I have seen elsewhere. The class was included in the price but I still had to get to St. Louis and pay for a hotel room, but the Baby Lock folks helped me find a roommate so the cost was alot less. The class is taught by Kay Capps Cross who is an excellent and very fun teacher.
I agree that the location of a good dealer for your machine is an important issue so check out what is in your area and then look at those machines. But try them all, shake the frames, ask questions and stand around and listen to what others say - some will be folks who have that machine and can give you good info.
Good luck!

So glad I found this thread! I have been researching different LA options. The Homesteader is made near me in NC. I have gotten very good info about it. My mom has a Gammill 18" and loves it. (The Gammill dealership is in Fayetteville, NC) I have quilted 2 king-sized quilted on it and like it. I have also quilted on a Voyager 17" and it was good. The shop I teach in has the Baby Lock Crown Jewel and will make me a deal. I am hungry for as much info, good and bad, as I can find! Thanks for all the info!

There are as many answers as there are different systems. You need to make a list of what you need on your system and what are your dreams.
You might want to check out the yahoo group for homequiltingsystems. There is wealth of information there. Many people have done lots of research and have lists in the data base on that site.
Good luck on your search and don't rush into it. Take the time to do lots of homework and lots of test drives.
Good luck with your decision.

I sell Gammill because I think they're the best. I think they have the best track record. I also always notice so many ads for attachments or related products most often show a Gammill in the ad. Just my thoughts.

I've had the Gammill 18" for just a short time. I tested all the longarms at a quilt expo and the Gammill and HQ were my "finalists". I chose the Gammill because it felt the best to me....that's something only you can decide. If there were dealers relatively close to me, that would have influenced my decision greatly! Although Gammill is only a phone call away, they're very helpful with any kind of question, I do wish sometimes that I could just drive to the dealer and have them SHOW me.

I appreciate all the comments on all the different types of machines. Guess it boils down to 'driveability' and price and dealer support....just like cars! :D

Still researching and dreaming here...:thumbup:

Best you can reasonably afford. I got a TL 18LS and don't regret it at all.

It really is a personal choice. I have the 18 " Innova but went to a quilt expo and my mom and I tried all the machines out. We had it narrowed down to the Gammil and the Innova. The only downside I could possible see with the Gammil is that it needs to be oiled and you can't stop mid project where it is because the oil could leak onto your project. Now, that's just a personal thing for us that we didn't like about it. As long as you know it, you can just make sure you never it sitting over a project. The Gammil was one of my top choices. I think you should go back to each machine and find your own likes and dislikes about each machine.

I agree. Sew with what makes you happy. I just got my A-1 and it has wonderful agility. I also liked the Prodigy. I was told to stay away from APQS - I have no idea why, so I ignored that comment.

I have a Tin Lizzie 18LS that I purchased last spring. I love it! Any problems I have had (which are few) have been operator error. I don't have QBot, so it's just me. I have done one quilt using a pantograph and working from the back fo the machine. It worked very well. The rest of the quilts I've done (about 6) have been done working from the front doing free motion. I love doing free motion. I have a lot to learn, but I am making progress. : ) I can't speak to the APQS or the Gammill. I've never worked with them. Good luck with your decision. I hope you're very happy with whatever you decide to buy.

Kerry in WA

I've had a Gammill for 15 years and never had a problem with it. In fact I am in the process of selling it only because I don't quilt as much as I used to. And I only used this machine for myself, my Mom and my daughters quilts. It's been a wonderul machine. No complaints. I wish you luck with your decision.
Linda from Clinton

I agree with Kathy. Try them ALL out if you have time. You never know which one will be the best fit till you try it!. I had a table top frame with a Juki to start, quickly upgraded to an HQ16 on the same frame, and eventually got a used Gammill. There IS a learning curve, so don't be surprised! I know I did a round about way of getting a long arm, but I learned ALOT with each upgrade. It worked well for me, but I would not suggest it for everyone! If you have a friend that has a machine, ask if you can try it out. When you DO get a system, ask if there is a users group online. My Gammill group is WONDERFUL. they solved a minor IRRITATING problem that my dealer waved off as being my fault. It was NOT me, it was a minor adjustment on the frame. Other users have many of the same issues you will face. They are invaluable! (Angels in disguise! lolol)

Buy the one that you love. I have an APQS Millennium and love it. Their service is wonderful. I honestly didn't even try out any other machines. I have a friend that had an APQS machine and she had never had any trouble with it. So my hubby took me up to their showroom in Des Moines, Iowa and the rest is history.

First things first, I'm telling you what I would tell a dear friend, if she were looking,
try all of em, compare features and prices, you wont know you like it until you try it, go to several different vendors.
then go to the one with the best deal. BUT...It may be difficult for you to find a vendor close to your home, keep that in mind, cuz if it needs serviced, where will it have to go? When I purchased mine, I wound up with a vendor I didnt like, and
he really didnt fix my machine, so I had to Buy an empty box, almost $100. and send it to Arizona, I'm in Ohio.
good luck, youll do fine, just make sure it has all the features you want on it, AND a stitch regulator.
Katz

I would bet that most people here are sold on the long arm they have. I posted another post on this forum about how I didn't have the advantage of being able to travel and try out any long arms. I had been doing some free motion quilting on my DSM...the harp wasn't very large and I would get pretty frustrated trying to manipulate all that fabric around. I did a lot of on and off line research, and one of my biggest concerns was over how easy it would be to service my own long arm. How good was the customer support? I ended up deciding on the APQS Millie with the blissed frame and quilt glide. The sales rep that came and did the install was very good at getting the machine up and running, but not very good at showing me much about running the machine. In the end I was glad that it went that way, because I learned just how user friendly my machine is. Pretty much a press and play situation. I've changed threads both top and bottom....adjusted the tension, and my stitches have been lovely both on top and below. I haven't had the machine a full month yet, but I'm feeling confident enought to go ahead and load my first real top on the frame. If you can go and try a number of long arms, I think that would be to your advantage. I couldn't do that, and I'm very very happy with the machine I chose.

Im thinking about the A1, have a great Rep. that also owns a Quilt Retreat, the extra incentive from her is if I end up buying this one, she will give me a lifetime invite to her retreat at no charge. Plus all the extra training she is going to give me. I am all about great customer service. She has an A1 and loves it, and has invited me to come and spend the day with her quilting, Whoohoo!!

Karen - good luck on your quest, its a tough call if you liked them all.

My LQS has a Lizzie and sells them. She would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
She does out of her way to help a customer even if it doesn't involve a sale for her! She is a personal friend and enjoys quilting. She had out of state people who bought a Lizzie elsewhere, call for support for nothing more than a thank you! PM me and I will give you her number. When you read online reviews about products, just remember that more people who have had bad experiences with something tend to post more to vent frustrations than do people who have really good experiences.