I do machine embroidery,and turn my finished pieces into quilts. The quilts I make are VERY large. The last one was the story of the night before Christmas, which measured 120" x 120". My problem is being able to quilt my quilts. They are too big to quilt them in the sewing machine. I've checked into having them professionally quilted, but was told the embroidery work would get into the way and would be too much trouble for them to do the quilting.. so I have to hand quilting them. Now here is my dilemma, should I invest in a long arm quilting machine? if so which one? Should I spend $ 15,00.00 on a fancy computer job or a basic model? Is hand guided with styus better than no lighted stylu? Every quilt shop I have called or visited has tried to sell me their top of the line models without giving me the answers to my problems. Any help and suggestions would be so very welcome and needed. :?:

Personally I think that if you spend $15,000 on a long arm and will have to make payments on it, then it becomes too expensive a "hobby", so you have to "work" for others, thus it becomes a "job" and not a "hobby", so it's not as fun. There are some quilting machines out there that are quite a bit less than $15,000, the ones I can think of right off my head are, Bailey, WOW, Tin Lizzie, I know there's more out there. I know that the Bailey and the Tin Lizzie have pretty good reputations.

Is there a place that you can test drive the different machines? Not just a minute or two sales demo --- really put it through it's paces? That would be the best way to tell what you need. I am just starting the research process myself on purchasing a longarm. I already know I want a fourth rail (for batting), ability to change frame size to accomodate crib up to king, a stitch regulator, and a stylus of some sort (haven't decided if it will be a dowel type or a laser or maybe both is they're not that expensive). I'd like to be able to use the machine from both sides of the frame. I have seen a couple that pretty much fit this bill. Have you considered a mid-arm domestic machine (the Viking Megaquilter/Pfaff Grand quilter) and frame might be an option for you, and the cost will certainly be lots less.

I will be watching your thread --- I'm sure there's lots more points to consider that haven't even occurred to me yet. Happy hunting!!

I think there are a lot more questions to be answered than just buying a LA. Why won't your LA quilter do custom work? I know there are many right here on this board who will do custom quilting and can work around your embroidery. I think you need to go to a quilt show and give a LA a try and see if it really something that you want invest your $$$ in. Lots of quilters buy them without having any idea of what is involved, then end up selling them. And I certainly wouldn't spend 15k for a top of the line setup to just quilt 2 or 3 quilts a year. Lots of questions to get answers for before you can start thinking about which one to buy. JMHO :lol:

You need to find a LA quilter willing to custom quilt around the embroidery. Those that told you it is too hard are LAQ that don't know how to do anything but all over design or end to end pantos. There is absolutely no reason embroidery cant be quilted around.

Now, if you are still dead set on getting your own machine, I see you are in Texas. Check out ABM Innova machines. They are made right there in your great state. I have one and can't say enough good things about mine.

For what you describe you would need an absolute minimum of a 12ft frame. For quilting around embroidery, I would not start out with computer guided, unless that is what you really want and you are a whiz at digitizing designs on a computer that will go around your embroidery. Personally, I think you are better off with hand guided. The Innova comes automatically with a laser light but I don't see you getting much use out of it because they are made for pantos and you will need to work from the front of your machine to custom quilt around the embroider, not over it.

I would definitely get a stitch regulator though. The Innova's new lightening stitch is a dream.

Not a salesperson for this brand, just a very happy satisfied customer.

I say, if you can honestly ask yourself that specific question, for a hobby (if it is a hobby) without first hyperventilating, go ahead and buy the $15,000 longarm and let me live vicariously through you! Please

With the size of your quilts being 120 inches square (10 feet), you are going to need a minimum 12 foot table. So, keep that in mind when shopping for your longarm. The size of the embroidery blocks might provide an indication to the size machine throat you would want. Ideally, you would want to be able to quilt around an entire embroidery without having to roll the quilt.

It is my dream to have a long arm and about a year ago I started to look seriously at them.
I am in the UK so not such a wide choice and not so easy to even see them....but I have decided against one not just because of cost, but also because of the space needed and also the time that it would take me to learn to use it so that I would be confident to do a quilt.
If you just want to do the computerised designs then that would be fine...but if you want to quilt round dsigns...then this becomes an art which unless you are really talented will take much time to learn.
It's such a huge purchase I think you have to be really confident that you will be able to do what you want to achieve........best of luck with either your purchase or finding someone talented that can do the quilting for you.....as for me I'll continue practising my FMQ and dreaming.

first off- i've long-arm quilted quite a few embroidered quilts- don't understand the ...can't do that- my only problem with your quilt is the size---length- not a big deal but really a pain in the butt when they are wider than 110"...but it's still not impossible- just a pain in the butt.

if you truely are thinking a long-arm could be in your future- you need to start going to shops and shows and trying out all the different machines- what works for me may not for you- we are all different- and we like different things-
test drive! it's like buying a car- and it's an investment- if you are thinking of putting out the money you don't want to just buy the first deal that comes along- thinking well- it's a longarm===you may hate it and a few years later sell it out of desparation and take a loss--
don't buy the first one you try out- go out there and test drive as many as you can locate!

Actually, a "basic" longarm will run you at least $15,000 ... the computer version are an additional $15,000 or so, for a total of over $30,000. I bought my Gammill longarm 8 years ago and paid just over $15,000. I think the price has gone up since then.

Go to a large quilt show and try out the setups the vendors have brought with them. There are usually at least 3 vendors with a couple of different setups. You can see what you like. Computerized setups are really for people who do a lot of quilting for $$$ for other people, IMHO. If you are quilting for yourself only, there are many reasonably priced setups for home use...many 18" machines with 12' frames that would work great for you. You just have to go try them out.

I went to the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham (UK) last year and ended up ordering an HQ Sweet Sixteen sit down. Sixteen inches of room, but set level in a table 30in x 36in. Loads of room to quilt a King size, and the only way I could get a machine this big in my house. Since I can't stand for long periods, a true Long arm on a table with frame wouldn't have suited me anyway, but as second hand value, my machine can still be converted to that set up if needed. Check out the Handiquilter website to see what it looks like. I love mine.

Have you looked into Flynn Mulit-Frame System ?
I just brought one, for I too like to make Big quilts. I just got it. I have to adapt the frame by buying larger polls at home depot, but I think its going work. it $150. vs 15,000. Oh and you can use your own machine with it.

I only wish that when I bought my long arm the rep would have told me that they also sell used and refurbished machines. It is a big investment for a hobbyist, a small one if you are serious about going into a cottage business.
I have seen many embroidered quilts. You will have to look for one that will take their time. It will cost more, and that's probably why some people don't want to do work like this. They want the quick turn-a-round for the $ they can make.

Have you posted any of your work on the board? It sounds interesting and would love to see it!
peace :D

AlexJ that's a great idea. I've been interested in this for a while. Please post with a review after you test it out!

You can also get a Grace or Hinterberg table that uses your own home sewing machine which is hundreds rather than thousands. Just some ideas!

I agree with Buckeye Rose. I would check out some of the long arm quilters on this board. The 120" may be an issue for some. Even though many frames are 10 feet, you can't put a 10 foot quilt on it. you loose several inches on the ends. You can have a whole lotta quilts done for $15K. That said, I purchased a used Tin Lizzie and am having lots of fun. You do need to test drive as many brands as you can.
There are many posts on this topic, if you do a search you will get lots more info. here's a recent one:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-137755-1.htm#3703692

Will send you a PM when I get it going if that's ok

Another idea is to quilt on your home machine in thirds.
Layer your top, batting and backing. Pin or spray the center section. Gently fold back the top third and cut out that piece of batting only. Do the same for both ends. Quilt the center 1/3. Add the batting back to one end and quilt and then the other end and then quilt
You will only be quilting about 40 inches at a time, so much easier to handle on a home machine. I use a little basting spray on the edges when I'm putting the batting back in the sandwich. Don't overlap but butt to the edges.
Works very well.

Gammels are very expensive. There are reliable, industrial grade, name brand LA machines that don't carry that high a price tag. A1 and Innova are two that come to mind immediately. I have not priced APQS or Nolting machines so wouldn't know. I do know you can get a "basic" Innova 18" with a stitch regulator and frame for less than $10K and a 26" a bit more.

Innova's are great.pm hperttula123 if you need something quilted.she can work around the embroidery and does a great job with reasonable pricing

One of the best features of the Statler Stitcher ( the computerized Gammills ) allows you to mark areas on your quilt that you don't wish to quilt. The computer quilts up to the spot and ties off. It then picks up where the pattern would have if you hadn't asked it to skip that area. I'm not sure that I'm explaining it well enough, but it leaves a continuous pattern, with preplanned areas that would highlight your embroidery. Any Quilter with a Statler can provide this service if they choose to!. Just as an aside Gammills start around $6000. The stitch regulated model starts at $8995. That model includes a 12ft table. The cheapest Statler is $19,995. The top of the line Statler is $28900. Good luck!

You were (IMHO) not given good information!!! I have a 14' machine and can take up to 144" quilts (short side!). Those with 12' machines should be able to do 120". As for the embroidery, it's not a problem. Depending on the size of the throat of the machine, and they type of batting used, we can usually go larger on the long side of the quilts.

For this quilt, I stitched right through the embroidery. It does not detract from the embroidery at all. If it had been necessary, I could have gone around them.

http://wheatridgestudios.blogspot.co...ish-chain.html

Check the APQS website. They have used machines. They might be able to give you more info. I have looked at the Lenni. He is one of the newest machines that is not too large.

A good site to visit is: www.houseofhanson.com
They answer a lot of questions and raise a couple you haven't thought of.

I have an HQ Avante without the pro stitcher and it is lovely! 12 frame and a ten foot quilt easily fits.
Our sales person did not pressure us into buying any extra bells and whistles and even gave us the option of upgrading with the pro stitcher at the show price for a year. We use a few rulers and pantos but mostly free motion quilting on our quilts as it is so easy!
We paid just under $10,000 (canadian) and manage to recoup some of this cost by letting other quilters rent time on the machine. This gives me the pleasure of quilting all of my projects myself (my husband too as he quilts as well) and also the pleasure of meeting other quilters and giving them the same opportunity.
Good luck with your shopping!

If you talked to a longarmer and they don't want to do the quilt with the embroidery, they are limiting what they do, big time. Look around for someone else to do it.
There are several on here that do beautiful work, ask them. I have a home stretched machine and I love it. That being said, longarming is not for everyone. I would look for someone else to do my quilting before investing that much in a machine you may not like using.

I just got my sweet 16 long arm. Its a sit down version of a long arm but it doesn't take up the space. I am just learning on it but I should be able to do a king size quilt on it. Go to the quilt shows and test out various machines. You don't need to spend 15 grand on a machine, you can spend less than 5,000 on one which is less than some embroidery machines.

I have a Voyager 17 with stitch regulator (18" space for quilting), paid less than $5,000 and have been very happy with it.

Check out Bailey Home quilter.com
I just purchased Bailey 13 in May and I quilted this log on it. It has embroidery work.

I have a Avante (Handi Quilter) and it is less that $15,000. I use it to quilt my things and a few things for others. NOt used for a business but worth it to get the larger quilts done. Good Luck. I just went to a show and went around and tried all the long arms and decided for the price and for what I wanted to do that this was my best choice.

In Springfield, MO the is a quilt shop that sell's long arms and also rents them in their shop so you can go there and they will help you practice and get set up. A lot of the people have done their own enough to get quit good. Only thing is I felt for the cost a day I can pay some one to do my quilts. Shop for a long arm quilter there are some really good ones that do custom work but it will cost be sure you see their work first, I had three quilts, ruined because I just took someones word she was good and inexpesive. She was inexpensive, and I got what I paid for. I still won't live long enough paying a good quilter to match what it cost to buy a long arm and then still have to do the work. I would rather spend my time making my quilts.

I recently purchased a Tin Lizzie 18. It is easy to use and comes with a stitch regulator. You can check out their website to see if it is something you would like. It has a wider bed on it and you can quilt without purchasing an extra extension table.

It sounds to me like you are embroidering pieces that you sew together to make a quilt, as opposed to having a whole cloth top on which you embroider. If that's the case, then you could use a multitude of QAYG or quilt in sections techniques on a domestic sewing machine.

As others have indicated, there are LAQs out there that would be happy to quilt your large embroidered quilts. You need to ask yourself ...

How many of these large, king size, quilts do you plan on making?
How much would it cost to have that many quilts done by someone else (get several quotes)? Is that less than the cost of a LA machine with maintenance, etc?

Do you have a large amount of space to dedicate to a LA machine?

Do you want to spend your time doing LAQing or machine embroidering?

As someone else mentioned, do you want to turn your hobby into a business?

I have a Nolting Pro 24 and love it. Before I bought my husband and I did a lot of research both on the internet and at dealers. The Nolting was our favorite, it a real work horse. It has everthing I will ever need, is easy to load the quilt and remove. I think you should try as many different ones as you can and pick the one you like the best. Good Luck

There are some LQS that will rent LA machines. If you can find one in your area and have a top that you don't mind practicing on, I would try that first. You can't know all the tension problems and different things that arise when LAing. I have a Gammill and love it when she is working great, hate her when she has a stubborn streak and I have to mess with the tension. If you make lots of quilts and have to pay someone to quilt them, it will benefit you to have a LA.

I bought mine used and I didn't spend anywhere near $15,000. It's a Voyager 17 with a Hinterburg stretch frame. I get excellent service from the company even though I bought it second hand. I don't have a computer and don't want one. I use a laser light mounted on the handles for pantos. I make my own pantos. But I really love to do it free hand. I watch videos on U-Tube for ideas and try them and add my own style. It's just enjoyable to express myself doing it free hand. I know it's my work and I'm very hands-on. I know there are frames out there that have 12 foot rollers and that sounds like what you need as 10 footers like mine wouldn't give you room to load the quilt.

Great post, and answers from so many members, I'm looking forward to seeing how you decide to go on this topic, I hope you keep us posted!

I am going to our LQS this morning to look at and try the Janome Horizon 7700. It has an opening of 11 in. by 4.7 in. for quilting. And the MSRP is 3000.00. At this time of my life (66 yrs. old) I don't want to sink 15,000 into a longarm machine. The Janome rep. is here today, so maybe I can get a lot of info.

I have a Juki 98 tle and a long arm quilting frame and I do my embroidery queen size quilts on mine..............I have not had any problem with the thread getting stuck.....The Juki cost 900.-- and the frame and all the assories cost around 1,500. I use a laser light and the paper patterns.........Hope this helped you........... :) :thumbup:

What I like about this machine you can take it off the frame and use it for your sewing machine, it is so fast............... :)

What I like about this machine you can take it off the frame and use it for your sewing machine, it is so fast............... :)