Mid-Arm Sit Down Quilting Machines
 

I have done a ton of research on mid-arm sit down quilting machines and I finally made my decision to “rip the band-aid off” and buy one. After 6 months of research I finally chose the Grace Q’nique 15SD. It is on order through my local sewing machine store and should arrive in a week. When I first started looking to buy I went to my dealer who mostly sells Brother, Baby Lock, and Janome brands, however they were looking to expand into Viking too. I asked about the Q’nique and they didn’t know too much about it. My dealer recently went to a convention and had the opportunity to review the machine and came back with rave reviews for me and are now featuring the Grace machines in their store. They gave me and excellent competitive price along with a 3 year extended warranty with their store to do any repairs right there if needed and classes on how to use the machine and and extra bobbins, needles, and an extra bobbin case. I’m very excited to get this machine. The reasons I wanted a sit-down model is space, configuration, ease of use, no stress on my back or legs from standing up and mostly I like the tactile feel of free motion by moving the quilt instead of a machine.

Question: Does anyone else have comments on their experience with a sit-down model?

Congratulations! I don't have any experience with a mid-arm sit down machine but am eager to learn more about the options available so I will follow this thread :) I hope you enjoy your new toy and look forward to seeing what you produce with her!

Christine

Congrats on your new machine. I think it would be great to have a machine set up for quilting only. If I ever venture into it, I would get a sit down also. Let us know how it works out, sounds like you will have great service.

I absolutely love my HQ Sweet 16. After working on a high king sized quilt on a domestic machine with 8.5 - 9 in. Throat space, my sweet 16 is a joy! I’m sure you will love your machine, too. If you have been using a domestic machine there won’t be much learning curve for the new one.

congrats on your new machine

Congratulations on your new machine. I just purchased a used Sweet Sixteen sit down and love it. No real learnibg curve since I’ve been fmq on domesti machines for years.


Rob

I really like my Bernina Q20. It's still kind of a pain for really big quilts because There are still times where there's a lot coming off the table in the front, on my lap. But for lap size quilts, it's fantastic. The large throat space and great tension make it a pleasure to finish my quilts.

My problem with sit-down machines would be that you still have to make the quilt sandwich. I simply cannot satisfactorily put a quilt sandwich together. I have ripples, pleats on the back and everything shifts at least a little. I am not asking for advice. I have tried every suggestion over the past 5+ years and I am just not happy with the results of anything over a small lap quilt. I have decided I am a topper more than a finisher. My LA'er is retiring this summer. Guess I am going to go to QAYG.

Sounds like you have a great dealer. Can't wait to hear how you like your new machine. A sit down machine would be my choice, too, if I ever decide to "rip the bandage off". I do FMQ on my sewing machine and even though it has a pretty fair throat space, I usually reach a point in the quilting where I think I just have to get a different type of machine. Once I'm done, I kind of forget about it again.

Congrats you can sit with a longarm though it does take up more space because I was toying between the 2 a few years ago. I use a saddle stool with my longarm just incase you decide at a later date you want one

can you share with us what you paid? (ballpark). It is so hard to find "competitive pricing" when no one will tell you unless you go to a dealer and they are 2 1/2 hours away in opposite directions.

I've been using a Sweet 16 (bought a used one), and have no regrets. Love it. Mine came with a hydraulic lift table that recesses the machine when not in use.

Congratulations...I’m sure you will have a lot of fun with your new machine and will be able to accomplish more with a larger throat space. How exciting for you.

I have a Tiara III and it was the best investment I ever made. I love quilting now. SEW EASY SEW FAST, SEW FUN. The only regret you will have is not getting it sooner! Have fun my friend!

Enjoy your new machine. I have an Artistic and just love it. Can not wait to finish a top so I can get to the quilting. No longer any tops sitting around are not quilted.

I have had my Sweet 16 for a number of years, and I still enjoy it. I totally understand about having the fabric in your hands. I was lucky that I was able to spend 2 hours at a long arm manufacturer trying their machines. I just didn’t enjoy the process, so I went with the sit down. As for making a sandwich, I use spray basting on small quilts. I get my DH to help, and it works well. For bigger quilts I take them to a long armed who bastes them with water soluble thread in a grid about 3x3”.

Juki now has a sit down model of their JukiQVP (Quilt Virtuoso Pro). One thing it does that other machines do not is cut the thread for you. I love that feature on my Juki2010Q.... I plan to look for a dealer when I'm at a quilt show next month and see if I can 'test drive' the QVP.

I bought the Babylock Tiara about 4 or 5 year ago, I love it! I also researched them for several months & then we had a Sewing Expo near me so I spent the 3 days it was here trying out all the sit down models there. The Babylock Tiara is the same as the Sweet 16, and a Pfaff (can't remember the name) so I went with the dealer who gave me the best price, luckily that dealer just a mile from me. I liked the stitch regular better on a different model but the foot pedal was difficult for me, the manufacturer was there & said they couldn't modify the pedal. I'm nearly 80 and have bad knees so needed to go with the one I could operate. No regrets, have done many quilts on it, hate to stop once I get started.

Congratulations on your new machine. Enjoy!

hey Sewbiz, I tried the Juki and really liked it, great visibility around the needle and it has the handwheel located on the side so you can reach it if you need to while sitting in front of the machine. Leah Day had one and she apparently had a lot of trouble with the board burning out or something. But that was a couple of years ago, don’t know if it’s an issue or was just a fluke with that particular machIne.

Rob

Quilt sandwich for sit down machine.
 

I do not have a sit down machine, but have done some quilt tops on an industrial machine. I have 2 sheets of 4 x 8 plywood that I covered with batting and heavy muslin I use for drapes making. I set them on tables and sawhorse that my husband has put tall legs on. When I want to work on a quilt top, I take my backing fabric, pull it tight and clamp with large clip I get at the office supply. Then put my batting on top, clamp it, then my pieced top. Again, more clamps. Now I am ready to use safety pins to hold everything together. As I pin, then I unclamp and roll to the center. If it's a king size, you have to clamp parts of it, then roll and stretch and re-clamp.

I know you've tried everything but give this a shot...spray basting is the key...this works and the video is really helpful.

What an exciting adventure! Congratulations on your decision. Let us know when your machine comes in. I've also been looking and trying to justify. Waiting to hear how it all turns out.

Mid-arm pricing
 

I know prices vary across the country and I had the same issue researching a “fair” price. You can get great prices from a show or a used model however I wanted my personal hometown sewing store to set it up, tune in all the adjustment and teach me everything about the machine to include troubleshooting and minor adjustments. AND if it were to need repair I can take just down the street instead of shipping it somewhere. My dealer and I came to a price OD $3600 but it included tons of notions, extra hopping feet package, lessons, 3 years warrantee parts and service, etc. I know I could have got it for around $3200 but I support my local dealer and have a good rapport with them.