Anyone interested in talking about short arm quilting?? Challenges of creating and using quilting patterns that are used in small vertical area of maximum 3".

I have a short arm all set up, but have not used it yet. I refuse to start anything new until I get this dumb art quilt done, but then stand back! I can hardly wait to get started.

Pam,

How funny!! Know just what you mean about getting through a project!!

Really like the short arm, but we are limited in designs. The meander comes out nice, as do some other overall designs. Guess I am looking for a larger design that could be done in "stages" as the quilt is rolled during the quilting. So, say, you have a 6" plain square (or triangle or other open space) and want to add a motif to fit. With our short arm, we are limited to about 3-4" of quilting space after the quilt is rolled. Would like to see samples of quilting that can be partially done and finished with the rolling up of the quilt.

Maybe others out there will have some good ideas! Really like this format for sharing!!

Good luck in finishing your project!!

Mary Jean

this is my "baby"

http://www.patscalicocottage.com/gammillshortarm.asp

she quilts a 6 inch pantograph quite happily, and the table is 12 feet, so I can get a BIG quilt done easily

have no real problems, just frustration sometimes when she has a tantrum :-D

I'm basically a hand-quilter but learning to machine quilt. What I like about handquilting is the ability to make "designs" or something specific in quilted areas. I can't figure out how to do this when MQ. Other than SID and a very bad attempt at FMQ, I don't know what else to do. I'd be very interested in following any suggestions you get to be able to put a "design" on my quilt blocks working from such a small available area.

Thanks for starting this thread; hoping for lots of suggestions.

Will you describe for me "short arm" Are you using a regular sewing machine on a track and working like the long arm machines. Therefore, the space is limited.

I have a mid-arm and wouldn't want anything smaller ---- isn't anything smaller really just a sewing machine on a frame????? I'd LOVE to have a long-arm!!! One of these days I'll remember to buy a lottery ticket...I'm SURE my winning #s are out there!!!

I hope I understood this right-I'm using just my regular sewing machine. Sorry if if you were talking about sewing with a frame.

Yes, my Husqvarna quilting machine is set up on a frame and has a stitch regulator. However, the throat space is small. So, as the quilt is rolled this space becomes more narrow. By the time you roll to the end of the quilt, you may have only 3" or so of quilting space.

Seemed a good price at the time; however, quite limited.

Yep, a smaller throat space. Hindsight is always 20/20. However, at the time the price seemed right. I have a Husqvarna quilting machine with stitch regulator. The overall designs are o.k. -- much better than spending the $$$ to send out for long arm. However, am a bit disappointed about the small quilting space.

Anyone out there own a Husqvarna quilting machine with frame??

Think that is about right! I have a Husqvarna quilting machine with stitch regulator on a 12 foot quilting frame.

OK, I have a confession to make. My Mom GAVE me the short arm and frame! She wanted more freedom, too and bought herself an Innovus long arm. I am more than willing to put up with the tight space, tons more than my Bernina, tugging, pushing, pulling, sweating, cursing, fussing an queen size quilt into my Bernina.

I love a bargain, but FREE!!! Whoohoo!

I have the Viking and the frame. I have not used it to much, I guess I am a chicken! BUT, once I learn it, look out! I am now looking at the longarm Viking that will go on the same frame. Penni

Jan, a short arm machine is a little larger than a standard home sewing machine. Mine is set up on a frame. I will look for a picture I can post.

I guess one of the reasons I am hesitating on using the short arm is because I am finally happy with my FMQ on my domestic machine, now I have to learn a new skill, just being lazy.

You're absolutely right! Don't get me wrong, I am blessed to have a quilting system that I can use rather than try to use the sewing machine. And I simply love the overall meandering pattern, as well as others. However, I am also interested in the absolutely fabulous other designs which require larger quilting areas. I am not clever enough to design my own. Not gifted in that area, which is the reason why I am excited about this site to hear suggestions and successes of all other quilters!!

"Sorry, no success stories yet", she said as she sheepishly hung her head. But I am gonna do it!! I promise.

I get my Janome on a little gracie frame tomorrow my sister and I are going in together to buy The lady gave us a very good price can hardly wait to get started

I have a Singer short (mid)arm quilting machine, with 10 ft. table, and
can do 90" width quilts. Stitching area is 5-6" tall designs, row by row
or Pantographs. If you want to do individual blocks, Just tape your
design (draw design on paper of same size as your block) to the table, and
align it with the quilt top block as you stitch across the top. You may have
to divide the design into 2 rows , but it will work! Just takes a little practice
and patience.

I have been practicing my machine quilting on little scraps and I have to say that I have been doing really well with free motion without having to buy a walking foot.

I go suuuuuuupeeeeer slow but it works :-)

Have you done a quilt on your frame yet I have done a few baby and lap quilts on mine I have a queen size ready to go on the frame but it took me 2 yrs to piece and just a little nervous tell me me any tips if you have them

I'm new to this Short Arm stuff too. I bought a Janome 1600P from a co-worker and found an Original GMQ frame on Craig's list for $200, so for $700, I've got the whole "kit & Kaboodle"

I've done 4 or 5 quilts so far, some with great outcomes, others, not so much! All I'm doing is meanering and curlyques...I don't think I would do well following a pattern. I might try it sometime, but for now, the meandering works for me.

The Janome has about a 9" throat, my other machine, the Pfaff, has a 10". It would give me a little more room when quilting, but I like the Janome, it works great. I do have a speed control too, so it's all right there on the frame handles.

Have fun!

Carrie

Before I bought my longarm, I did short arm. The one thing I learned is that I could quilt any pattern if I followed these guidelines:

Find a pattern I love, and visually section it out into appropriate quilt-sized rows (4" or 6" ) that I could quilt. With my finger, or a pencil, draw and redraw a path through each 'section' that I have visualized, until I can quilt a row with minimal starts and stops. Cut it apart where I think it works the best, then create a pattern (panto, or single pattern, whatever) to use. Quilt one row, then roll and quilt the other section/next section of the pattern. Keep going until finished.

The trick is to cut or section the patterns in such a way as to not have too many stops and starts, and so that I could quilt an entire row without rolling. It does change the look of a pattern somewhat, depending upon the pattern - but it works. I got my patterns from longarming books, blogs, online visuals, etc. Anywhere and everywhere :)

Hope this helps - it sure helped me!
Debbie in Austin

I have a Janome 1600P on am 8-foot frame and have really enjoyed it. The 3.5 to 4.0 inch quilting space is very limiting and all I have done so far is pantos. One of these days, I plan to upgrade to an 18-inch machine and bigger frame.

I bought a used Handi Quilter last week. I hope to get it set up this week. I have to decide which sewing machine to use with it. I love the way the 201 quilts, but I need a new power foot control thing. The most throat space I have with the machines I have is 7 inches. Seems small, I hope I can make it work.
I guess we would call this Really Short Arm quilting. My plan is to practice and turn out beautiful quilts so my husband see the reason I need a real long arm. I am told you can use pantograms with this set up, but I am not sure how.