So I was in my local Joann's tonight and they had a longarm setup ( I think it was a longarm..still learning) Anyway, it's a metal frame that extends to fit a king sized quilt, a Husqavarna quilting machine ( The mega quilter, I believe), a stitch regulator, and they will throw in the Pattern Pro software, all for 3500..Sounds too good to be true..Any ideas?? The woman let me play around with it..So totally cool! Talk about cutting down on turnaround..Now where's my rich uncle??? :lol:

I've seen a similar set up at my local sewing shop and I've wondered if the throat size of the Husqvarna (probably a mid arm) is large enough to accomodate the king size quilt as it's rolled. Being a shortie, I had issues with following the pattern.... it was up high on a tray of some sort instead of table height.

I bought one about 3-4 years ago. I had so much trouble with it, that I took it back and got my money back. My husband doesn't even want me to buy anything Huskvarna now. Ask if you can get your money back if it doesn't work for you.

Here I go again.....but at least check out the Bailey Quilting machines. They make both 13 inch and 15 inch machines. I have the 13 and quite pleased. My frame is the GMQ Pro and I have it set up for a Queen size quilt. That will take 104 inches of quilt. I don't plan to do the King size. But can add the extension if needed.

http://www.baileyssewingcenter.com/homequilter.html

I bought package #4 and am very pleased with it.

Send me a PM if you have specific questions.

I bought a Hinterberg stretch frame with the original thought of using my home sewing machine with it and eventually getting a longarm. But, impatient as I am, I got me the Hobby Quilter by Nolting. They changed the name of it to the Fun Quilter now. I have had mine for a few years and am so glad that I got it. It has a 17" throat.

Barb

Hi, I am June from the Quilting Board.

I have the Bailey 13 quilting machine. I am 74 and chose to not go with the 15 inch because of the cost and my age and how much use I would get from it. If you are are less than 60 years old, I would suggest you consider buying the 15 inch. However, it depends on what you plan to do once you get this equipment. I make quilts for charity and am quite happy doing up to Queen size quilts.

There are also other mid-arm machines that you can find by doing a goodle search.

I also suggest you call Bailey and talk to Chuck. He created this machine and knows more than anyone about it. Be sure to tell him June in Cincinnati sent you. He will probably say "WHO??"

any questions? just ask

June

That last message was supposed to have been posted as a PM. I went to the member's name and clicked on SEND PM. What happened.? Does this happen often?

well June- it was helpful for me- so thanks for it not being a PM. :)

Barb

Hi June6995, Just to let you know, you have to click on the Private Message at the top first, put the name in of who you want to send it to, then your subject and then you can type your message. Submit is at the bottom of the form.
Takes a little time to get used to how things are all set up, I am still learning to.
By the way wish I had a long arm. Can´t afford it though :(

Elle

nicrn27.....hey girl...best advice is don't hurry into buying any machine until you are happy and you have tried them all out and they do exactly what you want......

My Dad has a Gammil it is wonderful...has so many cool things and has been great..... the price is high but depends on the use and problems one is having....and things do where out ..so metal is good....thoat distance to me would be important....Good luck decideing.... :D

I have a HandiQuilter2 frame with a Juki machine on it. But I want a Nolting Fun Quilter reeeeaaaallllly bad!! Glad to hear you like yours, Barb.

cissyquilts............I love my HobbyQuilter. When I first got it, my grandson (then 6 yrs old) wanted to help me with it the first time. I put some muslin together with batting and let him glide the machine along. He enjoyed doing it also. With it being all freehand it was a cinch. He loved it as much as I did. And I still do. My daughter uses it alot also. She mainly does baby and wedding gifts on it. It works for me!!! I am so glad that I got it.

Barb

I don't know what I would do without my longarm. I read about quilters here using their home sewing machine and doing quilts. I really am inspired by them. I would NEVER have the patience to do that. I just do the placemats and smaller things. even a baby quilt is hard to imagine. So to all you gals and guys out there that do that............I really, really admire you. Keep it going.........


Barb

The best advice I see is to try them all. I started with the Little Gracie frame and brother machine. I loved it, but it had it's disadvantages..the pantograph did not line up directly with the needle, so everything had to be calculated a bit off. Also, it was new (they have since corrected almost everything in the little gracie 2) so the side tensions had to be put on and taken off every time you rolled the quilt. There was no place for the pantograph (just a hole) and so I had a board I'd put there. It didn't roll all that smoothly, either. And they had a pointer rather than a laser.
BUT I LOVED it!! It was sturdy and I had lots of room to work. It's now set up in the basement waiting for me to get the upgraded parts.
I then got the inspira frame with the pfaff grand quilter. DON'T!!!!!! My poor boyfriend spent hours drilling holes and bracing every thing and it still shakes. I also got the stitch regulator thrown into the deal (they wanted to get rid of the old frames for the new one) and that is AMAZING. I had the speed regulator on my Gracie, but this is far more forgiving and although it doesn't make all the stitches the same size, it's close enough for rock and roll. The reason I hate it, besides the shaking, is that there is only about 3" of work room. Finding 3" pantographs is tough enough, but having to turn your quilt mid way through because you've run out of room stinks. This they have not corrected on the new version.
Given my 'druthers, I'd go with one of the Grace frames. They not only work well, they're actually quite pretty. All wood, which I polyeurathaned before ever putting it together. I found the pfaff to be a bit better than the brother, but I'd give my eye teeth for a mid, or longarm. I'm SO jealous. Maybe when I'm a famous quilter.......
Good luck in whatever you choose, and please let us know what you decide and the outcome. Sorry to be so long winded.
bev. :]

Thanks for all the great advice..I'm obviously not going to rush into making such a major purchase..Still have to convince the hubby it's a good investment..I'm intrigued by all the options out there..lol..And still doing research

I also want to thank you and applaud you for giving all the details of your journey into buying home quilting equipment. Many can learn from your experience.

Keep in mind that small arm machines will not give you much quilting space once you roll the quilt into the throat of the machine. it does not matter what the name of the machine is, or how expensive it is, but what amount of quilting space you are going to have to work in. I think that is difficult to fathom for many people,

This is a great place for learning many things.

I have a Grace Next Generation quilt frame with a Husqvarna Mega Quilter. I have quilted a king size quilt recently with no problems at all, freehand with no stitch regulator.
I am searching for the Sure Stitch regulator to fit the frame.

There are machine quilting focused shows around the country. MQS, MQX, and Innovations are a few. Just about every long arm is there, as are some mid and DSM (Domestic Sewing Machines - your home machine) setups. Try to attend at least on of those shows and try every machine in the place. Several times!! With these shows, the focus is on machine quilting, and you would be amazed with the possibilities.

Good luck in your search!!