Recommendations for first longarm
 

I think I'd like to have one of the beginner longarm machines. I bought the Pfaff Grand Quilter which I didn't get far with. The throat is only 9". It frustrated more than anything. Didn't end up being able to quilt anything. But, I'd like to think about it again. What would you recommend?? I don't want a really expensive machine and frame.

It all depends on what you want to spend, also if you want something that has a 14, 15, 16 inch harp space or larger. My friend bought a Q'nique midarm which she loved has built in stitch regulator, the only reason she upgraded was because she wanted a 26 inch harp I think she now has a Fusion.

I learned on a 12" Nolting at work, when I retired, I bought a machine on Craiglist for $1,000., It had a harp of 9" worked on it for a couple of years and sold it for $900. I then bought a HandiQuilter 16 on a 10 ft. table, for $4,500. it has a harp or 16" got it also on Craiglist and that is what I have now.

I am happy with "Harriet", and what I am trying to say is there are used machines that might not have all the bells and whistles but will work out well for you.

Happy hunting.

If you can hold off until the summer, I would go to the AQS show in Grand Rapids. All the long arm and mid arm vendors will be there and you can try the machines. Go with a list of the kinds of quilts you usually do, and the type of quilting you want to do on them, such as FMQ and/or pantogaphs. Also ask a bunch of questions about the frame: how do you load the quilt? How is the quilt advanced? How much of the arm is realistically open for quilting as the quilt is rolled. Find out where you will be able to get support locally when you return home. Will they set up? Do they offer lessons? And finally, even if you are sure you want a machine on a frame, I would also try the sit down models.

Paper Princess is right on the target on this subject. I would also add that it would be smart to take a lesson and rent time on a long arm at a local shop(most require you take the class to be able to rent time). A long arm (or even a mid-arm or a sit-down) is very costly and you should make sure that you like quilting first. I have a friend who's DH bought her a long arm (APQS) and she HATES the quilting process--loves to piece! So now he uses it for charity quilts.

When I was looking, I think it was Long Arm University website that had some excellent checklists for potential long arm owners to think about.

It is ultimately all about the $$ you are willing to spend. I agree with PaperPrincess that attending a show might be useful for you - firstly you will get to try out many machines, get lots of prices and perhaps one of the venders will have a deal on either a new machine or even a trade in that they have in stock. You can also check on Craigslist.

I started six years ago with this same search and ended up purchasing a used Voyager 17 from a fellow QB member not to far from me. The total cost was less than $4K. It was a perfect (for me) machine. It had a stitch regulator and a ruler base and worked perfectly. I quilted like mad on it and just sold it for less than $3k as I am now ready for something else. The gal who purchased my Voyager wanted to do her quilts from start to finish but had limited funds. So decent midarms are out there for a reasonable sum.

My new machine arrives Sunday!! My replacement for the Voyager is a new HQ Avante with a ProStitcher!!

Good luck with your search - take your time and do your research!!

+1 (well, +2) on what several folks have already suggested -

Do try to find someplace to take an intro/certification class so you are familiar with operating a longarm. The class I took included practicing on a couple of charity quilts. This was HUGE towards me being comfortable test-driving machines.

Then try, try, try. Try every one that you can that is in your price range (and maybe a little above in case you can find a gently used one). Pay attention to feel and sound - are there ones that grate on your nerves? There were for me.

It's a big investment so take your time and find the one that makes you smile when you use it.

Michelle

Lots of people love their Handiquilters.

check out the brother dream fabric frame and the brother 15inch quilter it is a nice small setup

I have a HQ16 bought off Craigslist, plus a pcquilter, which is a robot that moves the HQ16 on the frame tracks. It works via a computer. I've never been sorry to have purchased it. Most problems I have had with my set up are due to operator error. I can sew up to a 12" deep pattern, but only on smaller quilts. Most lap quilts I quilt at 11", bigger quilts require a pattern that is 10" or less because of the bulk that accumulates in the harp as you quilt.

Have fun with the shopping and with the long arm.

Not a true longarm, but I purchased a 15" Bailey Home Quilter with a stitch regulator. I really like it since it is what I could afford and since I don't quilt for other people, it fits my needs well. The only problem is the height of the harp doesn't allow me to do quilts more than 80" wide. And even that is a real stretch. But for a machine that costs less around $2,000.00 new, I felt it was a real bargain.

I have an unbranded Tin Lizzie on the majestic 12 ft frame from grace frames. It has been a great machine. It was a gift so I really had no say in much of it. One day I would like to upgrade to an Innova with at least a 26" harp but being retired on a fixed income it is not likely to happen.

I agree with PaperPrincess on waiting to go to AQS in Grand Rapids. Not only is every long arm there but they have show specials. I purchased my Handi-Quilter Avante at a quilt show and saved a couple thousand plus no shipping.

Quilt show is a great place to test drive the different brands. It is also helpful to have a dealer that is available for you should the need arise. I have been through the HandiQuilter 16 - which I purchased used for the purpose of learning and to see if this was the direction in which I wanted to go. Then a used HandiQuilter Avante 18 became available - so I moved up and learned a bit more. Last fall a HandiQuilter Fusion came on the market from a dealer so I purchased that one - I am so very pleased with the performance of all the HandiQuilter machines. The dealer that I purchased the machine from is about an hour away - but it is worth the drive to her neat quilt shop. She was excellent in setting up the machine and she is very good about assistance if needed over the phone. Good luck - I enjoy using a quilting machine - it makes it possible to create quilts and put them to use instead of accumulating them in a pile to be hand quilted. Sew them up - quilt them, use and love all those beautiful quilts.

I purchased a Bailey last year and I'm still in the practice stage. (I need to get more sandwiches made) but so far I really like it, I do a sit down and use the Machingers as anyone on QB will agree they are a great help!!! I only looked for a machine on line and since all the others were well over $2000 I went with the cheapest priced model on the market. I'm very pleased with it...I have the 20" model so I think I have enough room under the harp to do a king size quilt...I will find out one of these days!!!But my purchase with this model was due to the fact that I am nowhere near having a 'showcase' quilt. That's ok by me...I just want to make quilts that get used! There isn't one bell or whistle with this machine but it's sturdy and with the table I paid just under $2700. But I would very much buy every bell and whistle if I thought I would use them. Again, this suits my needs and my quilts are not masterpiece works of art! Good luck in your search and let us know what you decided upon. Some of the ladies here have some nice machines...check them out!!





















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My suggestion is to try different machines at a quilt show if you can. After you decide on your brand of machine, I would buy the biggest machine and frame that I could afford and had room for. All of my friends that bought small machines have upgraded to a bigger machine. The higher price of the machine is the "whistles and bells" you add on.

I have a Gammill with stitch regulator (LOVE LOVE LOVE that). Not computerized. I see other machine brands that I might like, but I don't know any brand that can beat the Gammill frame!!!

There are many used machines out there and some are at LongArm University. I talked to one group in your area and they have you come for one day of complete lessons and then you stay and take the machine down with their help. I so wish I had bought one from them instead of my HQ Avante.

Bought my Block Rockit in Paducah. What helped me the most was having a friend who owns a much more expensive machine give her seal of approval to the smaller and less expensive machine. She took me from booth to booth and agreed that the price of less than $5000 for a 15 inch harp was great and that the machine had all of the features plus a smooth drivability that I would need. If you happen to buy from Lynn and Kathy, tell them I sent you! The are nice enough to give me a $100 for the referral even though that you is not at all why I am making the recommendation. My main point is to take a friend with you that understands machines.

Ps I have had my machine about 18 months and still am very happy with it!