Please Advise-want to buy Longarm
 

I have been researching longarm machines and have decided that I will purchase one within the next 3-6 months. My delima is this - should I start out with a 16" throat, and then later (maybe 2-5 years down the road) move up in size, or should I go ahead and buy an 18 or 20" and then just be done. I love quilting, have been quilting for years, and plan to quilt as long as possible (I am 51 years old) so I do think that I'd have several years to use one. I have quilted on my domestic machine and find that it hurts my back to pin baste, so that is one reason I'd like to get a long arm. Right now I have 7 quilt tops that are finished and ready for quilting.......Yikes! Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

My first and main piece of advice is to do some test drives. Try multiple machines by different manufacturers, go to a large sewing expo if you can. Definitely buy a stitch regulator (don't think new ones even have an option to not get one anymore..), it's generally much cheaper at time of purchase. I would also very much recommend getting a computer driven machine if you can afford it. If you want to use pantographs make sure both your table and your machine is suitable.

My second big piece of advice is to make sure you have room for it. Most machines do not reduce down easily, you need roughly the space of a single car garage, while you can make do you really want the length (10" or 12" is best in my opinion) plus 3 feet on either side, and 3-4 feet behind it, as well as maybe 4-5 feet (minimum) in front.

Throat size I think 16-18" is fine, I usually only do about a foot at a time but it all depends on your style of quilting and what you want to do. I have short little arms and don't think I could do much bigger than what I do. You do want all the throat space you can get though if you use Minky, it bulks up fast.

Be aware that loading a quilt can be a lot more physical effort than you might think at first. You get better over time and practice but it is still demanding, much more than my friend who bought her long arm thought. I spend more time on it than she does -- but I try to do one of my tops and then one of hers. It's a bit of a drive for me to get there, about half an hour+ each way, and typically I load the top one day and then return the next to do the quilting. It is still easier on me than trying to force a queen sized quilt through my little old machine :)

I just bought one and the choices were 15 or 21. I went for the 21. I want this to be a long term purchase and not have to upgrade fully in a couple of years. It really speeds up the process! Even with the learning curve of going from domestic to longarm, I'm on my fourth quilt top in 2 weeks. Get what you can but if it means waiting another month to get the bigger one then I would wait and save up a little more.

If you’re able to go test drive some at shows then by all means do so. I would get the biggest and best you can now so you don’t have to deal with it later. It is a lot of work to take down, move and level etc..., unless of course someone else does it for you. And yes, they take up room, I have a HQ Fusion on a 12ft gallery frame and it comfortably fits in a area 10.5w x 17L in my basement and I am able to work very comfortably.
As far a loading a quilt, once you find what works best for you it doesn’t are that long, I pin my backs to the leaders and I float my tops so it only takes me perhaps 30 minutes to load my backing.
Let us know what you decide to get, you’re going to love it!

I went with a 17" throat and have done many quilts just fine I am in my 70's You should really enjoy a longarm

Go larger. A 16" usually only gives you about 12" of quilting space so you may be hard pressed to do a single average size block in one pass and you definitely won't be able to it if the 12" finished block is set on point. Like Lyric Girl I went with 24" right off the bat. Now I rarely use all that space but it sure is nice having it for when I do. I think a 21" throat would be ideal. Also get the biggest size rack you can fit. I could only fit a 10' rack in my space and there have been plenty of times I wished I had a longer rack.
Speaking of racks, give as much thought and consideration to your rack as you do the machine itself. A good solid rack, preferably with a deadbar can make all the difference in the world. My machine is an Innova and the rack is unlike any other LA rack on the market. It is infinitely customizable to your needs. It has a deadbar so no need to raise the takeup roller as you advance the quilt and it has a feature no other LA rack has, the ability to lift the top roller after the quilt is loaded to ensure you batting stays nice and smooth. And it is made out of aircraft grade aluminum so solid, solid, solid.

Go big or go home !

I'm in the school of thought that says to buy as big as you can afford now (and have room for). In boating, owners often go up by one or two feet in length - aka "foot-itis" - and I have seen people post here and on other forums that they bought a particular size and now wish they had gotten a larger throat, aka "inch-it is".
Whatever you do, enjoy!

Test drive as many as possible; once you've narrowed it down to a few you are most interested in, talk to owners of those machines, and definitely get the biggest bestest you can afford right from the get-go!

Do try out machines at a larger show so you get a chance to compare. While you may not really use all the throat space (mine is 28" and I rarely use more than about 15-16" near the front) get the largest you can--generally the longer the throat space the tall the machine is too and the height is important when rolling up a quilt. I purchased a 2006 Gammill Classic Plus 5 years ago--definitely you want stitch regulator and a solid frame/table where you can do pantographs if you want (usually from the back of the machine). If you think you are going to quilt for others for a business, then definitely consider a computer guided--if you plan to mainly quilt for yourself probably not as important and they really do hike up the price.
make sure it's a solid build from a solid company--these things cost about the same as a nice used car so you want one that has tech service back-up anytime by phone. Features I'd suggest: M bobbins (larger ones); laser light for panto's and motif tracing; ruler base; separate bobbin winder; easy maintenance for owner; adjustable top roller bar so you can check under the top before quilting(Gammill and Innova both have this). One thought--if you are in a guild put the word out that you are looking--sometimes due to health an owner will decide to sell and you can get a good machine and also immediate source for instruction and help.

Why buy one that you expect to replace--that is an expensive way. You will not get what you paid for the 1st one. If I knew I really wanted the bigger one go for it.

The above post by ka9sdn sums up my thoughts exactly! If you buy bigger in a few years will everything fit together with your original parts?

I would go for the larger one to begin with. Then you don't have to "buy up" in a few years.

When you try them out try different lengths it depends on how comfortable your reach is because I know people who have bought longarms too large for them and end up having to trade in. 20 is where I am most comfortable but I would get the biggest size you are most comfortable with

Buy big. I bought the HQ Simply 16 on a 10 foot frame a few months ago and I already regret not going bigger.

Buy the bigger long arm. You will not be sorry that you did, and it will save you money in the long run. Enjoy!

I think it depends on what you are going to do with it. I make quilts for myself and charity. I have no desire to turn my hobby into a job. I bought a used HQ16 for a very reasonable price. I had tried new ones and knew I liked this machine.

It does not even have a stitch regulator and I am fine with that. I just do edge to edge type patterns free hand across the front of the machine. I quilt about 100 quits per year on it.

Thank you all so much. I am so glad I asked and you so honestly responded. Thinking I will definitely get the biggest I can afford.

If you have back issues I highly recommend using zippers to attach your quilt to the leaders. You can sit to put on (and take off) the pins saving a lot time not being on your feet. Even without back issues I think zippers are far superior to any other method just from an efficiency stand point.

Go as large as you have room for. You will never regret being able to quilt large quilts.

I also purchased the Simply 16 and after just 1.5 years I upgraded to the Amara. I am much happier with the size and features. My frame is 10’ in a room that is 10’6”. I am thrilled to have a longarm even if I don’t have the recommended space on all sides. It works for me! Good luck!

I bought a smaller LA thinking I might trade up after a while. I have become attached to it and may skip the trade up altogether if this smaller machine keeps working like it has been.

There is a learning curve. Just do it once.

Yes, I agree. I bought a 26” machine and have never been sorry. I know a lot of ladies that have bought smaller throats and have sold/traded them for a larger machine after awhile. Think about what you want on the machine and get it with the machine. It is cheaper to get it all at the same time than it is to add on later.

One thing I bought with my machine was a (high) chair. I am so glad now that I have it because I am able to sit when I am quilting in the same area for awhile. (I have a “stand up” free motion machine on a frame).

I have Handi Quilter 16 , we moved I sold it got a A-1 Hated it you have to use a grease gun . have it for 4 years
it would not sew half the time , had bit stitches . I was always tearing out :thumbdown: I have a Fusion now love it . So I think
you might like Avante , Fusion and they have some new one now. If you can go test drive one see what you like .
Good Luck....:o

I don't have a longarm but have been studying the possibility for a long time, including watching people on youtube, and I can't begin to imagine how you can attach your quilt without being able to get around to all sides easily! Is it diagonal across the room?

I have room for one. All I'd have to do is unload a treadmill that we never use and rearrange some other things, but one issue I would have is that it's an upstairs bonus area in our house and has no doors - just open to the stairs. I have young grandchildren and pets that might get into a bad situation. Cats, for example, eat thread and it can kill them. Also, I'm 20 years older than greenirish43, and maybe I'd get only 30 years of use out of it, or so. :D Still considering.

There's someone in the neighborhood who would let me use her Gammill for a penny a square inch. I could quilt a whole lot of quilts without spending anywhere near the price of a machine of my own, and the fact that it's a designated project at a designated time and place would keep me from procrastinating. Her price includes the setting up, so I wouldn't even have to learn how to do that. I think I have convinced myself I'd rather spend money on more fabric. Still, every time the subject comes up I think, "Wouldn't it be awesome to have one of those!"

Rose P. Yes those are valid considerations. Little kids love to press buttons and a quilt loaded onto a longarm rack attracts cats to lounge on the "hammock" created, they love it more than catnip! Mine is in a back bedroom I keep closed off. One time I came out of the room to use the bathroom and didn't shut the door behind me. In less than a secnd one of my Maine Coon cats was in there and sprawled out on the quilt like he was king of the castle. LOL. Thankfully it was one of my quilts and no harm no foul (lucky considering he is close to 20lb!). He was unceremoniously removed from his new lounge and I am diligent about shutting the door now but I still get the occasional breach of security. Something about cats and a room they are not allowed into makes it that much more enticing to them.

I too am curious as to how lili480 manages to get to the back of her setup with only 6" of space. Crawls under the rack maybe?? Where there's a will there's a way. I only have about 18" on one side to get to the back. So far there have been no issues but it is a narrow space. And I do crawl underneath my quilt to check the backing occasionally.

I would purchase the biggest throat that will fit into the space. I would love to have a 24" throat but the Avante was the largest that would fit. I put the extra $ into a Pro-Stitcher - I do not regret it one bit.

One last comment - If you can, purchase one that has a competent local dealer near by for service. Good luck in your search.

quilting machine for sale
 

I notice you are in Middle TN. My friend who is elderly and can't quilt anymore is looking to sell her machine and lives in Middle TN.
can you private message me and I'll give you her number

I don't have a longarm but have been studying the possibility for a long time, including watching people on youtube, and I can't begin to imagine how you can attach your quilt without being able to get around to all sides easily! Is it diagonal across the room?
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All the loading is done from the front of the machine. I can't get behind mine. I would have to get back there to do pantos but I do not like doing them.

IMHO——The key to owning a longarm is to get what you want. As for recommended space..............I have a 12’ frame and I have about 3 feet to work on each side. One end of the frame is against the wall with a 3.5” clearance on the other end because of heating ducts. I have casters on my frame so I can move one end to angle the frame in my space so I can work on the back of the machine. It is not a huge home but I make it work!!!! I love having my own machine. (I rented before I purchased. I Quilted charity quilts to get a feel/control of the machine). If you are able to do that in your area .............it was a great plan for me.

I'm absolutely certain that my cats would love a big hammock like that. We have one guest room that we always keep closed so that a visitor won't have to sleep with cat hair. I think Lizzie the calico knows the sound of that particular door latch because although I can usually be vigilant and keep her from going in with me, as I come out, there she is waiting for the opportunity to dash around my feet and hide under the bed where I can't reach her. There's nothing in there that would attract her, but it's territory she wants to establish as her own. I could put a longarm in that room and give up the guest bed, but I don't think it would completely solve the cat problem.

Buy the largest throat space you can afford. Not only will a 16” throat size have to be rolled many more times than a larger throat space would, the designs you’re able to use will have to be very small. And as you reach the end of the quilt, you’ll find very little room left to quilt as the rolled finished quilt will take up a massaive amount of the throat space.

I agree with this. I have an 18-8 and a larger reach than that simply made my freehand stitching too difficult to control. Need my arms to be relaxed. I always work from the front of my machine though.