Hi does anyone use a quilt frame that you can use your own sewing machine with. would like to buy one but can't afford the long arm systems and it would be for home use. I would like to know if anyone has a system like this and what kind you have and what you like about it and what you don't, it would help me very much. Thanks for any input you have. Dolores

check out the grace frames, they have many at different prices for home machines....I have the original one with a juki machine

Also look in classifieds, craigs lists etc...I got my Grace Frame for 50.00 .

When i started quilting I bought a 'Flynn' system, I liked it very much, it could be bulky and you needed alot of room to use it, but I pieced and quilted 12 queen size quilts in 1 year with that thing.
Then I bought a Handi Quilter. I didn't like that as well, al though it was easier to use because of the design; you still need a large space...as far as price.... the Flynn system was WAY cheaper than the Handi Quilter. But, they're right, you should keep your eye on Craigs list...
Now I hand quilt without a frame, I found that I didn't care to load, and unload the qulits.....plus any home machine is going to have limited throat space.... to have any kind of a decent size pattern across the whole top, you have to unload, and reload the quilt from the other end...... that takes the fun out of it for me.

I would search around on classifieds and craigslist. I have a Janome 1600. I bought a Grace frame from craigslist for $200, with a stylis, bungee clamps, and the leaders all included. I had to look around at different cities in my area and drove a little bit to get it -- but it became a day trip for us and was fun (after we got it to FIT in the car). :)

The only thing I had to buy to make it work for me was the speed control hand button, which I found for $50 at allbrands.com

It definitely makes quilting easier and more fun. One thing I don't like about mine is that it isn't big enough for a King size (but how many of those am I really going to make?). Also, particularly when I get to the end of the quilt, I can only quilt a few inches at a time because of the bulk (limited throat space). But, it's bearable. As long as I do the meandering (rather than trying a pantograph), it's just fine...and I don't have to unload and reload (like vnengels mentioned).

You might also want to check some LQS for some used lower cost frames that people have traded in. But keep checking craiglist!

thanks for all your imput it helps alot. Dolores

I saw a YouTube that demonstrated the New English Quilter, which is a quilting frame that you used your own sewing machine with. They give a website www.machinequilter.co.uk

I have a Grace frame....and the machine is considered a "mid-arm". Be sure the neck of your machine would work on ANY frame you buy. My Janome wouldn't work...it's too "shallow".

I have a SuperQuilter Proflex frame.
It can take a domestic home sewing machine up to a machine with an 18" throat.

I'd suggest Craigslist - you might be able to score a machine plus a frame for a great price ;)

Thanks Ladies, I have done a lot of research and I appreciate all the information. Lot to look at and a lot to think about. I'll keep searching until I can make up my mind. Thank you so much. Dolores