What are quilters using for a mid or short arm sewing machine with a grace frame?

Hi I use a janome memory craft 6500 on my little gracie quilting rack. It has a lot more then I need but I got a great price. And It has a 9 inch opening not just a 5 inch. They do make other longer neck machine that can be used. I love it. I also take it off to do my free motiion quilting

Are you saying Janome makes larger throated machines? Do you know the name of any other largerer throated machines that are not long arm machines for >$4000? Thank you for your reply.

janome's newest is the memory craft 11000 which they say has the largest throat on a machine in its category (as in not an "official" long-arm). i don't know what the price is, but it must be a doosey because none of the websites i've found so far for vendors state the price. just "call us". AND not all janome vendors list it on their sites. i'm guessing that adds up to around $7,000.

one of these days i'm going to make that call to get the price. not until i have the smelling salts on hand first, though.

Thank you! If I call sooner than you, I'll reply.

Brother also has a longer arm machine. http://www.allbrands.com/products/abc0851.html. has alot of sewing machine's and some are longer armed.. They have good prices also. This is who I got my Little Gracie Quilting Rack from

The Janome 1600P-DB is about $600 it has a 9 X5 work area
The Juki TL98QE/FS Economy High Speed Longarm Flatbed Sew & Quilt Machine, is about $600 also. Brother makes one also but I could not find a price. But in talking to dealers the Brother longer arm quilting machine had a couple qliches in it. I don't know if they have been worked out or not. It was about a year ago. I love Brother sewing machine but choose not to get there longer arm machine due to this problem. I do remember It was less exspence then the others. But I would talk to a dealer to see if it problems have been work out in the last year.

I use the Juki TL98QE and love it not too expensive either

How big of a quilt do you quilt on your frame with this machine? Do you turn the quilt? I appreciate your info.

I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR INFO. HOW BIG OF A QUILT DO YOU DO ON YOUR FRAME? MUST YOU TURN IT?

I have the sturdy lite fram and can do up to a queen size. If you mean turning from side to side no I don't. It just roll up on its roller

I am finding all this discussion of interest as I want either a new machine, or a frame or both. Please continue discussing this and share what frames you have (to use with a machine) and how large a quilt it will accomodate. Queen size sounds good! Does anyone have a John Flynn? I have heard pros and cons, and one person absolutly hated hers. Which model or package have you gotten (on either brand) and how easy is it to use? My inquiring mind wants to know.

Thanks, June.

The little grace frame holds up to a queen size quilt. They also make one that will do a king size. And no you do not have to turn the quilt. You just roll it up.

I use a Brother that is computerized and had all the stitches,standered size but I got it almost 4 years ago it was like 289.00 don't think they still make them but you can use anyMachine. Mine does up to a Queen But I do have to turn the quilt because I use the reg Machine but I set it up for Free Motion and it's just like a Longarm and you can do all the FreeForm Quilting You Desire!! BJR

Well, I have no clue how much the Memory Craft 11000 is, but if you buy one this month you get a free $999 valued Janome serger to boot... :shock:

sounds like one of tim's deals

How this all started for me is I purchased the Pro Grace Frame to use with my Janome regular machine (~$300-so not fancy). By the time I get to the end of a crib size quilt, my pantograph drawing needs to be reduced to ~2 inches. That is why I'm looking for a larger throat machine. I bought the frame online at Kathy's Quilts and they recommend the Juki Q98. At my local quilt shop they heard one woman hated the Juki , sold it quickly and said I won't be happy unless I get an HQ16. I'm not interested in spending that kind of money. The new Janome mentioned aboce 11000 I believe is near $7000. From the comments here, People are happy with their Juki Q98 so maybe I would be as well.

I have the 98QE and I use the 4" pantogram so far I haven't had any problems except getting myself into a good rythm (which comes with practice) and I done 3 queen size and 4 crib size.

Its isn't as great as having an HQ16 but who has thousands of dollars to spend on 1 machine unless you are intending to do this as a main source of income. I'm happy with my 9" throat works for me.

Thank you for your experience. I would like to try the Juki out. I'll check out the closest dealer.